littlecrittersvet.com by Jill M. Patt, DVM

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DANGEROUS CRITTERS

BULLFROGS
CACTI
SCORPIONS
COYOTES
SNAKES
SPIDERS
INSECTS

Bullfrogs will come out in the valley at night after we have had a good rain. Many dogs seem to think that frogs make a good chew toy and they will lick and mouth the frogs. Bullfrogs have a salivary gland that produces a substance which coats their body and is toxic to mammals. The dogs will absorb the toxin through their mucus membranes (gums) while licking the frog. Bullfrog toxicity can be very serious and will result in what is often described as "brick red mucus membranes" and salivation. Often neurological signs develop such as walking drunkenly, shaking or even seizures. If you see your pet mouthing a bullfrog you should rinse the pets mouth out with water and your pet should be taken immediately to a veterinarian who will administer supportive care. The care involves giving medications for seizures or shaking, fluids for shock +/- fever and cardiac support.

Cacti

Photo of a very sad lab who picked up a cactus on his morning walk. Problems with cacti can be relatively common depending upon the area of the valley you're in and also the activities you engage in with your pet. Most cacti can be removed from the pet with mild sedation or anesthesia often needed. Dogs will often attempt to get the cactus off with their feet and their mouth so frequently they will also have foot and oral spines present. We often will place the pet under anesthesia and than do a complete body check for potential hidden spines. While under anesthesia, we will check the eyes for corneal abrasions and the mouth, ears and genital area for "hidden" spines. Many times all parts of the spine cannot be removed and these will form abscesses. Typically, we'll place the pet on anti-inflammatory medication for pain and an antibiotic.

Scorpions

Scorpion stings are toxic to humans and animals and will cause local swelling and pain. Scorpions occur throughout the desert, although they do appear to often be clustered in certain areas. They hide under debris on the ground and will emerge at night to search for insects. Scorpions can be difficult to eliminate entirely and the best source of eradication is your local exterminator. Often spraying the house and yard on a regular basis to reduce the insect population will also reduce their predators, the scorpions.

Coyotes

Coyotes are commonly seen in the suburbs and pose a particular danger to cats and small dogs. As we build our homes farther and farther into the desert, the coyotes are in much closer proximity to humans and their pets. In our area we have seen coyote attacks on small dogs in their own yard, and unfortunately fatalities in cats. Cats left outdoors at night are at an increased risk because this is often when the coyotes are out hunting. Don't think your walled yard will keep them out because they are more then capable of jumping up onto the wall. If your cat must be outside, I recommend useing a kitty door leading out to a fully enclosed cat run. This will not only keep your cat safe from coyotes, but will also protect them from other cats. Another danger that coyotes can pose to pets is the spread of viruses. In particular, coyotes can get parvo virus which is contagious to dogs and can also get rabies.

Snake Bites

	Both photos are of dogs presumed to be bitten by rattlesnakes. The older dog (top) had a small puncture and mild nasal swelling but recovered fully with little treatment. The young dog (lower) had extensive skin sloughing (die off) and had to be put to sleep.

Snake bites can be a problem in the valley, but this will vary with the location and the time of year. In our area of the N.E. valley we do occasionally see snake bite victims. Usually the bite victum is a dog that found the snake too interesting to resist pestering. Fortunately, not all bites result in envenomation and not all envenomations are equally severe. However, all pets suspected of having been bitten should be taken to a veterinarian. The human anti-venom is occasionally used, but the product is not commonly available at all hospitals and its administration in veterinary medicine is controversial. Many pets exposed to anti-venom will develop a severe allergic reaction to it and conversely many pets bitten by a snake will recover fully without anti-venom treatment. The best thing you can do is to have your pet examined promptly after a known or suspected bite and your doctor will recommend the best plan of treatment for your individual situation. Also, if you regularly take your dog out hiking in the desert I'd recommend first putting the dog through a snake avoidance class. A link is provided below. I've also provided a link of contact numbers for snake removal from homes.

Spiders

		Problem spiders in our area are the brown recluse (Loxosceles) and the black widow spider (Latrodectus). The black widow is shown on the left panel. Both of these spiders can cause disease in dogs and cats. The brown recluse bite will cause very severe local tissue destruction (necrosis) and the black widow bite will cause intense pain and neurological signs including muscle weakness and paralysis. Supportive care (support of body systems and prevention/treatment of shock) should be initiated as early as possible by your veterinarian.

Insects

Insect stings are often suspected but seldom definitively diagnosed. We frequently will see pets with a sudden onset of facial swelling that is likely an allergic reaction to the sting. The patients can often have very severe swelling but will typically respond well to treatment. They should be seen as soon as the problem is recognized. If they have facial/body swelling and are vomiting this may indicated a more severe form of allergy and the pet should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Dog, presented with severe weight loss and a lump on the hock (shown). Positive blood testing and a needle biopsy helped to confirm a diagnosis of Coccidioides immitis infection

What is it?
Valley fever is caused by a fungus which grows in the soil of our native desert environment. The fungus causes a disease commonly called valley fever because it occurs throughout the Sonoran desert valley.

How does my pet get this disease?
The fungus is inhaled into the lungs and can spread to just about any part of the body.

Do all exposed pets become ill?
No, many pets, like people, will become infected and quickly develop immunity having never shown signs of disease. However, some pets (dogs and cats to a lesser extent) will develop the disease and we see clinical signs from the growth, spread, and location of the fungus in the body.

What are the signs of infection?
Some signs seen in dogs are respiratory disease, limping, inner eye infections (uveitis), skin lesions (wounds, lumps) and seizures. Some dogs will not show any specific sign of infection, but the owners notice that they are lethargic and often have a decreased appetite.

Does it occur in cats?
Cats less commonly develop disease from the organism but they can become infected. They can show the same signs as dogs, but will often have open draining lesions from bone infections.

How do you diagnose the disease?
Diagnosis is via an antibody (blood) test specific for the organism. Scanning radiographs may be helpful depending on the body system involved. Radiographs (x-rays) will often show inflammation and enlarged lymph nodes on chest films but definitive diagnosis still requires a blood test.

What is the treatment?
Once infection is confirmed treatment can begin. Treatment for this infection should always be considered a long term process of at least a year. Typically, we'll start medication after the diagnosis and recheck the blood titer every 3 months until negative. A titer is a measure of the patient's immune response to the infectious organism. It is not an actual measure of the organism. However, a declining titer often correlates with an improvement in clinical signs (outward signs of illness) and resolution of the infection. Antibiotics are not useful in treating this fungal infection. Specific antifungal medication is needed. The more common medications are Ketoconazole, Fluconazole and Itraconazole. All the medications commonly occur in a pill form and are given once or twice daily by mouth. In the past the medications were cost prohibitive, but now they are widely available at many pet pharmacies at a reasonable price. All "azoles" can elevate the patient's liver enzymes with continued use so liver values should be a routine part of screening. Ketoconazole tends to be the least expensive of the group and is widely used. Fluconazole is able to cross into the central nervous system and is the only drug used to treat "central" valley fever infection (typically the seizuring pet). I'll often start pets on Fluconazole because in my experience it seems to have fewer side effects. But, all pets are different and many will respond well to Ketoconazole. Regardless of the drug used it is important to monitor the appetite and advise your veterinarian if a loss of appetite or vomiting is noted. As I've said, treatment for this disease is long term and you should not expect to quickly see an improvement. Often it is weeks before improvement is noted. You should not, however, see a progression of the disease.

How can I prevent infection in my pet?
Unfortunately, there is not a vaccine to prevent this disease. The best we can do in the valley is to reduce the risk factors for our pets and respond quickly to signs of disease. It is also important to realize that many pets will live all their lives in the valley and never become ill from this organism.

What are some factors that increase the risk of exposure?
- Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors
- Hiking/ hunting - Dogs that spend a lot of time in the native desert environment .
- Dogs that like to dig
- Dust storms
- New Developments

Summary:
- caused by a fungus that grown in the soil
- infects both dogs and cats
- is inhaled into the lungs
- can infect any part of the body
- often see limping, coughing, respiratory distress, eye infections, seizures and weight loss
- diagnosis is via blood testing and radiographs
- treatment is with an azole type of drug
- treatment is long term (at least a year)
- regular blood testing of the liver is needed while on these medications

Tick Fever:

What is it?
The disease of dogs commonly called tick fever is actually ehrlichiosis caused by a rickettsial infection with E. canis.

How does my pet get it?
E. canis is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick transmitting the organism in its saliva. Not all ticks are infected with E.canis and not all tick bites result in infection with E. canis. However, only one infected tick is needed to infect a dog with this disease.

How long after a bite does disease occur?
Time of disease varies greatly. Signs can occur as early as 3 weeks after a bite or the disease can remain hidden and not show up for months.

What kind of disease does it cause?
E. canis can cause a reduction in platelets which leads to bleeding. Nose bleeds and other superficial bleeding is common. Infected pets can also become anemic (lowered red blood cell number), can develop joint disease with swollen and painful joints, lymph nodes (glands) may become enlarged, central nervous system can become infected, eye infection or intraocular bleeding can occur, depression and weight loss are common. Dogs may exhibit a fever.

How is it diagnosed?
Tick fever is diagnosed by a blood test.

How is it treated?
If ticks are present the pet and environment should be treated to eliminate them. The disease is treated with a medication called Doxycycline or other medications in that same class. We'll often treat for 3 weeks and then retest with a PCR (DNA) test to confirm that we have eliminated the organism. Most pets respond well to treatment. The development of joint disease carries a less favorable prognosis and in addition to the above medication these pets often have to be treated with prednisone to reduce the inflammatory/immune response.

How do I prevent infection in my dog?
The key to preventing infection is in prevention of tick bites. Ticks are common in Arizona and I recommend that all pets be placed on some type of topical treatment monthly. Frontline and Revolution are commonly used topical prescription products. Ticks are active just about any time it is above freezing in the valley. If your pet was infected from your yard you should also have the yard and or house treated on a regular basis.

Will my other dogs become infected from an infected dog?
No, the disease is only spread through tick bites and not from dog to dog.

Can people get this infection?
No, unlike lyme disease, this is an infection of dogs. This is essentially not a disease of cats with infection being very rare.

Heatstroke:

Heatstroke is a disease condition that can develop in any animal due to exposure to high environmental temperatures. Signs include excessive panting and drooling, agitation, whining, respiratory distress, dark gums, vomiting and collapse due to shock. Heatstroke can lead to brain damage and death. As always, the best way to treat heatstroke is to prevent it altogether. If your dog starts to develop heat stress doesn't wait. The pet should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.

I don't recommend that any dogs be kept outdoors during the Arizona summers. However, if your dog is kept outdoors ensure that the dog has: 1) shade 2) constant source of water kept in the shade. Dogs will often tip their water bowls and can potentially be left outside without water. Some ways of providing a constant water source are to:

1. Purchase an automatic water delivery system. There are many types available through pet shops, internet retailers, and often at horse feed stores.

2. Provide a water trough too large to tip over. I've found that using the large hard rubber cattle feed tubs often works well. The tubs are widely available at local horse feed stores and fairly inexpensive.

Parked cars and dogs don't mix:
Heatstroke quickly occurs in dogs that are left in parked cars. Even on what we may consider to be a "nice" spring day in Arizona , a parked car will quickly become too hot for your dog. Pets can suffer life threatening hyperthermia in just a few minutes. Factors that contribute to heat stress are:

Short noses: Dogs with short squashed faces are called brachycephalic breeds. Pugs, Bostons and Bulldogs are just a few examples of brachycephalic breeds. The short nose decreases their ability to cool themselves making these breeds extremely sensitive to heat stress and they will progress to heatstroke much quicker then other breeds of dogs.

Thick Coats: A thick coat of fur will no more protect your dog from heatstroke then wearing a thick winter coat in the heat of summer would protect you. Thick coated dogs will quickly develop heatstroke. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors in warm weather, it is often advisable to have the pet shaved yearly to keep them cooler.

Obesity: Larger dogs and obese dogs are better insulated and are very susceptible to the heat.

Hot Pavement:
Our pavement, pool decking and desert sand become extremely hot in the spring and summer months and dogs can and will burn their pads if forced to walk on these surfaces. A good rule of thumb is that if the surface is too hot for you to walk on with bare feet than it is also too hot for your dog. Each year we see dogs that have been hiking with their owners and have literally walked until they burned their pads off. Injured pads require lengthy healing times and are very painful to your pet. Never assume that your pet will know when to stop if the surface is to hot. Most dogs will literally stay with you until they can no longer walk. In the summer pets should only be walked on cool surfaces (such as grass) and often the best time to walk them is early morning or late night, but realize that in the midst of summer it is often too hot for your pet even during these times.

Sunburn:
Did you realize that your pet can become burned by the sun? Pets with pale skin, white or pale hair coloration, thin coats and decreased nasal pigmentation (pink noses) are just as susceptible to sunburn as we are. These same pets are also at increased risk of cancer from sun exposure. Even indoor animals can have an increased risk of sun induced cancer. The classic example is the white coated cat that spends all day sunning in a window sill and later develops ear tip or nasal cancer. The only way to protect your pets is to limit their sun exposure either by sunscreens or avoidance of the sun especially during the hottest part of the day. You most be careful with sunscreen because certain type can be toxic to animal and especially cats. Always consult with your veterinarian on what types of products to use. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any product containing zinc.

Sunscreen recommendations:
- AVOID those containing zinc
- AVOID PABA ( para-amino benzoic acid ) containing sunscreens
- Use those containing salicylates cautiously
- Use a no tears baby sunscreen for pink eyelids, avoid direct eye contact
- Use the highest SPF available on pink areas of the body
- On white dogs could try placing them in a T-shirt when out for a walk

If your pet dose develop heat stroke the most important aspect of treatment is prompt and early care. The pet should immediately be taken to your veterinarian who will typically hospitalize the pet and start IV fluids in addition to medications.

RESCUE LIST

Cats & Dogs:

AZ Animal Welfare League: (602) 273-6852, http://www.aawl.org/
Friends For Life: (480) 497- 8296
Arizona Humane Society: (602) 997-7585, http://www.azhumane.org/
AZ Rescue: (480) 598-9410, http://www.azrescue.org/flash.shtml
ASPCA: (602) 246-8280
Animal Benefit Club of AZ: http://www.animalsbenefitclub.com/
Animal Rescue Foundation (Tucson), http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/adoptafriend.html

LINKS ONLY:
Arizona Pet Shelter links: http://muttcats.com/shelters/arizona.htm
Rescue Guide Links: http://www.petwork.com/rescue_pets_az.html
Pet Love Shack, Links: http://www.petloveshack.com/Arizona.html

Dogs:

Small Paws of Arizona: (480) 464-1838, (480) 357-8949
AZ Purebreed Rescue: (623) 465-0396, http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/AZ135.html
CABRA - all breed rescue: (480) 874-2511, http://www.cabra.org/
Small Dog Rescue: Sharon (480) 962-4791
Valley of the Sun Dog Resuce: Pitbulls & Staffordshire Terriers, valleyofthesundogrescue.com
Foundation for Animals at Risk (Tucson): http://www.faircares.org/welcome/
AZ Animal Assistance: http://azanimalassistance.com/

CATS:

CHARM: (602) 470-0131, http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/AZ21.html
AZ CATS: (602) 287-8824, http://www.azcats.org/
AZ Feline Network: special needs cats: (480) 483-3214, http://www.azfelines.org/
Hermitage No Kill Shelter: (520) 571-7839, http://www.hermitagecats.org/
Citizens for Scottsdale Strays, http://www.scottsdalestrays.com/adopt.html

EXOTICS:

Ferrets, Rabbits, Exotics: (480) 786-4329
The Oasis for birds/parrots: (520) 212-4737
Arizona Reptile Association: (480) 894-1625
Small Bird Rescue and Retirement Center: (480) 985-2121
Brambely Hedge Rabbit Rescue: (602) 443-3990
Avian Rescue: http://www.avianrescue.org/bc-az.html

WILD ANIMALS:

Arizona Covey by Jeannie Garrett: specializes in quail and killdeer: phone # 602 996-1934.

Arizona Go Wild: By Leslie Lee: kestrels and roadrunners:
602-494-9137

EAST VALLEY WILDLIFE REHAB: http://www.eastvalleywildlife.org/
480-899-1513 Nancy Eilertsen, EVWildlife@aol.com

LIBERTY WILDLIFE REHAB: http://www.libertywildlife.org/press_releases.asp

LIST OF U.S. WILDLIFE REBABILITATORS BY STATE: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm

Emergency Resources

Animal Poison Control - ASPCA
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc
(888) 426-4435

Animal Crulty Task Force - Southern Arizona
http://www.act-az.org/summer.html
(520) 547-0260

American Red Cross - first aid for pets
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_10_,00.html

Arizona Poison Control Center: U of A
http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/centers/apdic/apdic.shtml
human and pet poison information, toxic plants, venomous critters and more
800-222-1222

LINKS

Arizona Herpetological Association- (480) 894-1625, snake removal
http://www.sloanmonster.com/index.php?page =Encounters%20Guide&message=Encounters%20Guide

Snake Advoidance Class for Dogs
http://www.uplandbirddog.com/snake/

Venomous Reptiles Removal Assistance
http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn= phoenix&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fag. arizona.edu%2Furbanipm%2Ffirstaid %2Freptiles.html

Dog Training:
http://www.kokopelli-k9.com/main.html

Arizona 4-H - Youth Clubs: highly recommended
http://ag.arizona.edu/4-h/

Arizona Human Society:
http://www.azhumane.org/

Humane Society of Southern AZ:
http://www.hssaz.org/

Desert Full of Danger - a Maricopa County Pet info Form - excellent
http://www.maricopa.gov/pets/pdf/desert_full_of_danger.pdf

Information on Valley Fever - An Excellent Site! Recommended.
www.vfce.arizona.edu

Heat stroke and your pet:

http://www.act-az.org/summer.html

http://www.parkvets.com/whatsnewandawards-rspcahotdogs.html

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/charity/charity_news/sspca_news_story6.htm

LOCAL PET PRODUCTS

Precious Pups Bakery - my dogs love these cookies!
http://www.preciouspupsbakery.com/

HORSE PRODUCTS:

ALL THINGS HORSE & HOUND

http://sensationsporthorses.com/

All Things Horse & Hound provides all your Nautral Riding Needs including horse tack, grooming products, supplements, wormers, and equestrian apparel. We also feature gifts for horse lovers, including jewelry & animal theme photos & art. Providing you and your horse with beautiful and functional products that you will enjoy for years to come. ATH also inclues a content only page with various horse articles based on personal experience and various expert advice. Our most recent article is on Sport Horse Buying In Europe.

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Mail: littlecr@littlecrittersvet.com with comments

HOME

DANGEROUS CRITTERS

BULLFROGS
CACTI
SCORPIONS
COYOTES
SNAKES
SPIDERS
INSECTS

OTHER
PROBLEMS

VALLEY FEVER
TICK FEVER
HEAT STROKE
RESCUE LIST
EMG. RESOURCES

LINKS

Dog, presented with severe weight loss and a lump on the hock (shown). Positive blood testing and a needle biopsy helped to confirm a diagnosis of Coccidioides immitis infection

What is it?
Valley fever is caused by a fungus which grows in the soil of our native desert environment. The fungus causes a disease commonly called valley fever because it occurs throughout the Sonoran desert valley.

How does my pet get this disease?
The fungus is inhaled into the lungs and can spread to just about any part of the body.

Does it occur in cats?
Cats less commonly develop disease from the organism but they can become infected. They can show the same signs as dogs, but will often have open draining lesions from bone infections.

What are some factors that increase the risk of exposure?
- Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors
- Hiking/ hunting - Dogs that spend a lot of time in the native desert environment .
- Dogs that like to dig
- Dust storms
- New Developments

What is it?
The disease of dogs commonly called tick fever is actually ehrlichiosis caused by a rickettsial infection with E. canis.

How does my pet get it?
E. canis is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick transmitting the organism in its saliva. Not all ticks are infected with E.canis and not all tick bites result in infection with E. canis. However, only one infected tick is needed to infect a dog with this disease.

How long after a bite does disease occur?
Time of disease varies greatly. Signs can occur as early as 3 weeks after a bite or the disease can remain hidden and not show up for months.

How is it diagnosed?
Tick fever is diagnosed by a blood test.

Will my other dogs become infected from an infected dog?
No, the disease is only spread through tick bites and not from dog to dog.

Can people get this infection?
No, unlike lyme disease, this is an infection of dogs. This is essentially not a disease of cats with infection being very rare.

1. Purchase an automatic water delivery system. There are many types available through pet shops, internet retailers, and often at horse feed stores.

2. Provide a water trough too large to tip over. I've found that using the large hard rubber cattle feed tubs often works well. The tubs are widely available at local horse feed stores and fairly inexpensive.

Obesity: Larger dogs and obese dogs are better insulated and are very susceptible to the heat.

If your pet dose develop heat stroke the most important aspect of treatment is prompt and early care. The pet should immediately be taken to your veterinarian who will typically hospitalize the pet and start IV fluids in addition to medications.

Arizona Covey by Jeannie Garrett: specializes in quail and killdeer: phone # 602 996-1934.

Arizona Go Wild: By Leslie Lee: kestrels and roadrunners:
602-494-9137

EAST VALLEY WILDLIFE REHAB: http://www.eastvalleywildlife.org/
480-899-1513 Nancy Eilertsen, EVWildlife@aol.com

Dog Training:
http://www.kokopelli-k9.com/main.html

HOME

DANGEROUS CRITTERS BULLFROGS CACTI SCORPIONS COYOTES SNAKES SPIDERS INSECTS

OTHER PROBLEMS VALLEY FEVER TICK FEVER HEAT STROKE RESCUE LIST EMG. RESOURCES LINKS

Dog, presented with severe weight loss and a lump on the hock (shown). Positive blood testing and a needle biopsy helped to confirm a diagnosis of Coccidioides immitis infection

What is it? Valley fever is caused by a fungus which grows in the soil of our native desert environment. The fungus causes a disease commonly called valley fever because it occurs throughout the Sonoran desert valley.

How does my pet get this disease? The fungus is inhaled into the lungs and can spread to just about any part of the body.

Does it occur in cats? Cats less commonly develop disease from the organism but they can become infected. They can show the same signs as dogs, but will often have open draining lesions from bone infections.

What are some factors that increase the risk of exposure? - Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors - Hiking/ hunting - Dogs that spend a lot of time in the native desert environment . - Dogs that like to dig - Dust storms - New Developments

What is it? The disease of dogs commonly called tick fever is actually ehrlichiosis caused by a rickettsial infection with E. canis.

How does my pet get it? E. canis is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick transmitting the organism in its saliva. Not all ticks are infected with E.canis and not all tick bites result in infection with E. canis. However, only one infected tick is needed to infect a dog with this disease.

How long after a bite does disease occur? Time of disease varies greatly. Signs can occur as early as 3 weeks after a bite or the disease can remain hidden and not show up for months.

How is it diagnosed? Tick fever is diagnosed by a blood test.

Will my other dogs become infected from an infected dog? No, the disease is only spread through tick bites and not from dog to dog.

Can people get this infection? No, unlike lyme disease, this is an infection of dogs. This is essentially not a disease of cats with infection being very rare.

1. Purchase an automatic water delivery system. There are many types available through pet shops, internet retailers, and often at horse feed stores.

2. Provide a water trough too large to tip over. I've found that using the large hard rubber cattle feed tubs often works well. The tubs are widely available at local horse feed stores and fairly inexpensive.

Obesity: Larger dogs and obese dogs are better insulated and are very susceptible to the heat.

If your pet dose develop heat stroke the most important aspect of treatment is prompt and early care. The pet should immediately be taken to your veterinarian who will typically hospitalize the pet and start IV fluids in addition to medications.

Arizona Covey by Jeannie Garrett: specializes in quail and killdeer: phone # 602 996-1934.

Arizona Go Wild: By Leslie Lee: kestrels and roadrunners: 602-494-9137 EAST VALLEY WILDLIFE REHAB: http://www.eastvalleywildlife.org/ 480-899-1513 Nancy Eilertsen, EVWildlife@aol.com

Dog Training: http://www.kokopelli-k9.com/main.html

DANGEROUS CRITTERS

BULLFROGS
CACTI
SCORPIONS
COYOTES
SNAKES
SPIDERS
INSECTS

OTHER
PROBLEMS

VALLEY FEVER
TICK FEVER
HEAT STROKE
RESCUE LIST
EMG. RESOURCES

LINKS

What is it?
Valley fever is caused by a fungus which grows in the soil of our native desert environment. The fungus causes a disease commonly called valley fever because it occurs throughout the Sonoran desert valley.

How does my pet get this disease?
The fungus is inhaled into the lungs and can spread to just about any part of the body.

Does it occur in cats?
Cats less commonly develop disease from the organism but they can become infected. They can show the same signs as dogs, but will often have open draining lesions from bone infections.

What are some factors that increase the risk of exposure?
- Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors
- Hiking/ hunting - Dogs that spend a lot of time in the native desert environment .
- Dogs that like to dig
- Dust storms
- New Developments

What is it?
The disease of dogs commonly called tick fever is actually ehrlichiosis caused by a rickettsial infection with E. canis.

How does my pet get it?
E. canis is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick transmitting the organism in its saliva. Not all ticks are infected with E.canis and not all tick bites result in infection with E. canis. However, only one infected tick is needed to infect a dog with this disease.

How long after a bite does disease occur?
Time of disease varies greatly. Signs can occur as early as 3 weeks after a bite or the disease can remain hidden and not show up for months.

How is it diagnosed?
Tick fever is diagnosed by a blood test.

Will my other dogs become infected from an infected dog?
No, the disease is only spread through tick bites and not from dog to dog.

Can people get this infection?
No, unlike lyme disease, this is an infection of dogs. This is essentially not a disease of cats with infection being very rare.

Arizona Go Wild: By Leslie Lee: kestrels and roadrunners:
602-494-9137

EAST VALLEY WILDLIFE REHAB: http://www.eastvalleywildlife.org/
480-899-1513 Nancy Eilertsen, EVWildlife@aol.com

Dog Training:
http://www.kokopelli-k9.com/main.html