Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

- Also known as Cocci or Valley Fever

- A fungal infection (Coccidioides immitis)

Where It's Found

- Southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America

     - Southern California            - New Mexico

     - Arizona                             - Nevada

     - Utah                                 - Southwestern Texas

- Thrives in sandy alkaline soils, very high temperatures, low rainfall, and low elevations

- Need high ureas, especially in rodent dens

The Infection

- Main route is through inhalation of the fungus

- Rarely, but can occur through a contaminated wound

- As few as 10 tiny pieces of fungus inhaled can create an infection

- Most infections will occur within 1 to 3 weeks

The Symptoms

Mild Cases

- Upper respiratory cough, pneumonia-like symptoms

- Fever

- Loss of appetite

- Weight loss

- 60% of cases will have no acute signs

Severe Cases

- Lameness, other bone lesions

- Swollen lymph nodes

- Draining skin lesions

- Spinal or brain lesion

Diagnosis

- Obvious symptoms

- Blood tests

- X-Rays

- Biopsy/Cytology/Culture of draining lesion

Treatment

- Long term administration of antifungal agents: Fluconazole, Lufenuron, Terbinafine

- Other medications if above cocktail fails

- Currently, there is no vaccination to prevent Valley Fever