FOX 10: Valley Fever Awareness

News Highlights:

• Valley Fever Awareness Week was recognized on November 9 – 17, 2019.
• Dr. Melissa Thompson, AHS’ Vice President of Medical Operations, gives her best tips for Valley Fever prevention and treatment for pets.
• Pets left outside are more prone to Valley Fever, an airborne fungus that can lead to a lung infection and an intense course of treatment.
• Valley Fever is a soil-dwelling fungus that survive in desert climates and is very prevalent in certain parts of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, northwestern Mexico and parts of Central and South America.
• While the disease is common in humans, dogs (especially puppies, elderly dogs, and those with a weaker immune system) are more susceptible to Valley Fever, likely due to the fact that they sniff the dirt as well as play and dig in the dirt, potentially inhaling large numbers of spores at a time.

FOX 10