Valley Fever in Cats: Everything You Need to Know

We are all aware of the various symptoms of valley fever in dogs. We routinely add a valley fever titer to each patient, who usually receives simple therapy. However, valley fever therapy can be difficult as with anything with cats. Weight loss, mass lesions, and enlarged lymph nodes are possible clinical symptoms. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, stomach distension, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although cats are thought to be more resistant to infection than dogs, they are typically more resistant to therapy.

Coccidioidomycosis 

Coccidioides immitis, a soil-dwelling fungus, requires a certain set of conditions to survive and reproduce. It thrives in locations with sandy, alkaline soils, hot temperatures, little precipitation, and low elevation. These conditions are common in many parts of the world. This fungus is mostly found in North America’s Sonoran living zone, covering the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Coccidioidomycosis is most common in the United States, particularly in southern California, Arizona, and southwestern Texas.

Animals become infected by valley fever in dogs and cats after inhaling soil fungus. Inhaling C. immitis spores produce acute respiratory disease. The illness then spreads to other body regions, usually affecting the eyes and skin. Infections of the bone or nervous system occur less commonly.

Cats are less susceptible to this disease than canines. As a result, illnesses in cats are typically milder. Most infections start after 1 to 3 weeks of inhaling the fungus; however, the fungus can remain dormant for three years or more before causing symptoms of infection. Cats with compromised immune systems are more likely to get the disease’s severe form.

Symptoms and Warning Signs

The most common symptom of coccidioidomycosis in cats is draining skin sores. Unlike in the dog, draining skin lesions are not invariably associated with underlying bone involvement. Cats frequently exhibit fever, weight loss, and hunger loss. The respiratory problems that are common in dogs are uncommon in cats.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on history, symptoms, lung x-rays, organism identification, and blood testing. X-rays of the chest performed by a vet radiologist typically indicate a characteristic pattern in the lungs. A small sample can be obtained and examined under a microscope to identify the fungus if a skin lesion is draining.

Suppose a biopsy or a sample from a draining lesion cannot be used to obtain a diagnosis. In that case, blood testing to detect circulating Coccidioides antibodies is commonly employed as a presumptive test. In most cases, a complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry to evaluate red and white blood cells and organ function are beneficial.

Treatment

Coccidioidomycosis is typically treated at home with an oral antifungal medication. Symptoms of sickness progression or improvement and adverse drug reactions should be documented during this time. Vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, respiratory problems, and weight loss should all be reported to a veterinarian from places like vscot.com.

Prevention is preferable to cure.

The key component of the preventative plan is to avoid areas known to have Coccidioides in the soil. To reduce the possibility of your pet contracting this sickness, you should exercise particular caution near animals who have immunosuppressive disorders or are already taking immunosuppressive drugs.