My Arizona dog caught valley fever. Yours probably will, too - Phoenix New Times

What the report says

Phoenix New Times reported July 28 that Arizona dog owners face a significant valley fever risk, using reporter Clarissa Sosin’s account of her dog Reese, who developed a limp, fatigue and a severe cough after running in a wash near central Phoenix. A blood test confirmed the fungal infection, and Reese was prescribed fluconazole for roughly nine months.

The article cites the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence as saying that in Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties, about 6% to 10% of dogs contract valley fever each year. The disease is caused by inhaling fungal spores found in desert soil. Dr. Lisa Shubitz, a veterinarian and research scientist with the center since 1996, told the publication that dogs appear especially vulnerable because they sniff, dig and investigate soil, potentially increasing exposure.

New Times reported that symptoms in dogs can include coughing, lameness, back or neck pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, breathing difficulty and subtle lethargy. Shubitz said Arizona veterinarians commonly consider valley fever when dogs present with respiratory or orthopedic signs. Treatment can be lengthy and costly for owners, especially when disease becomes complicated.

The story also notes that Shubitz is working on a vaccine intended to prevent valley fever in dogs, though the provided article text does not give an approval date. For now, the report’s practical takeaway is that Arizona pet owners should recognize early symptoms, seek veterinary testing when concerns arise and understand that exposure is a routine risk in central and southern Arizona’s desert environment.