Valley Fever is a fungal infection that can impact both humans and animals. Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson hosts the Valley Fever Center for Excellence and supports research efforts into this condition.
Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis or “cocci” for short) is an infection caused by a fungus (Coccidioides immitis) that grows in the soil in the southwestern United States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico).
Many species are susceptible to Valley Fever, although dogs make up the majority of cases of animal Valley Fever. In dogs, symptoms typically include fever, dry cough, decreased appetite, and lethargy.
This disease is not contagious, meaning it is not spread from human to human, or animal to animal, or between animals and people.
If you are concerned that your pet has valley fever, please contact us to schedule a consultation with our specialist, Dr. Lisa F. Shubitz.
Dr. Lisa Shubitz is the veterinarian and Scientific Faculty member of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence. Located at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, she is extensively involved in the research of this disease in both companion animals and people throughout the Southwestern United States.
The Valley Fever Center for Excellence mobilizes resources for the eradication of Valley Fever by promoting public awareness, education and research regarding prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Valley Fever in humans and animals.
In collaboration with VFCE, Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson supports research by providing our hospital facilities, where pets can be involved in case evaluations and clinical studies of treatments or new diagnostic tests for this fungal infection.
