What Is Valley Fever?
Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides spores that live in the desert soil throughout Arizona. When soil is disturbed—by wind, construction, digging, or even your dog sniffing around—these spores become airborne and can be inhaled.
Dogs are particularly susceptible because they love to dig, sniff the ground, and explore dusty areas. Gilbert's rapid development and construction make this an ongoing concern for local pet owners.
How Common Is It?
Valley Fever is endemic to the Phoenix metro area, including Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, and Queen Creek. The Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory reports thousands of canine cases each year. Some estimates suggest that up to 70% of dogs in endemic areas will be exposed at some point in their lives.
Not every exposed dog gets sick—many fight off the infection on their own. But for those that do develop symptoms, early detection is critical.
Symptoms to Watch For
Valley Fever symptoms can appear weeks to months after exposure and often mimic other conditions:
Early Signs
- Persistent cough (dry, hacking)
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- Fever that comes and goes
- Weight loss
Advanced Signs (Disseminated Valley Fever)
- Limping or swollen joints
- Back or neck pain
- Seizures (if it reaches the brain)
- Eye inflammation
- Skin sores or draining lesions
If your dog has a cough that won't go away or seems "off" for more than a week, ask your vet to run a Valley Fever titer test.
Reducing Your Dog's Risk
While you can't completely eliminate exposure, you can lower the odds:
- Avoid freshly disturbed soil — Construction sites, newly graded lots, and freshly tilled yards are high-risk
- Limit digging — If your dog is a digger, redirect the behavior or provide a designated sandbox with clean soil
- Water your yard — Keeping soil moist reduces dust and spore dispersal
- Choose grassy parks — Parks with maintained grass (like Freestone Park) are safer than open desert
- Skip windy days — High winds kick up spores; stay indoors during dust storms
Treatment Options
Valley Fever is treatable but requires long-term antifungal medication—typically fluconazole or itraconazole. Treatment usually lasts:
- 6–12 months for primary (lung) infections
- 12+ months to lifetime for disseminated cases
Regular titer tests monitor the infection levels and guide treatment decisions. The good news: most dogs respond well to treatment and go on to live normal, happy lives.
The Grooming Connection
At Gordie's Grooming, we see dogs from all over the East Valley. During bath time, we often notice things owners might miss—skin lesions, limping, or unusual behavior. While we're not vets, we're always happy to point out anything that looks concerning.
Regular grooming also means regular handling of your dog's body, which helps you stay familiar with what's "normal" for your pup.
Worried about your dog's health? Start with a vet visit, and book a grooming session to keep them clean and comfortable year-round.