Travelers with pets -- beware

[Dave e Victoria]

There are many ailments in pedts that are common to small regions of the country. If you travel through, contract the problem and then try to have it diagnosed or treated somewhere else it can be a serious challange
Case in point is Valley Fever. This is an affliction due to fungii living in the dry soils of the southwest. While it is a virtual epidemic among dogs in Arizona, it is rarely heard of in the east. To make maters worse, the disease may be slow to develop and requires months or years of treatment. It is common among humans but rarely has severe consequence. Dogs, however, have a reduced immune system by comparison and are frequently very traunatized. sIf you have questions about the disease, just google vally fever canine.
We just lost the second dog to VF. He started showing symptoms in late February or March and was finally diagnosed in late May. He was put to sleep this morning after having an eye removed and then having the VF get into his brain.
I'm not sure any earlier or better care could have saved him. What I do know is even the MSU vet school is largely unfamiliar with the affliction. If you travel in the SW and anytime later your companion gets sick, be sure to tell your vet of the travel and mention VF.
Dave and Victoria

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Very sorry to hear of your loss.

Thank you for your warning. Hopefully you will help at least one other dog and dog owner.

Remember the words of the Rainbow Bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[OntMont]

Hmm... "Valley" fever? What valley would that be? Any chance this is present in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas? Humans get some sort of sniffle/congestion that we refer to as "Texas Crud". It seems to be related to high levels of dust in the air. Not aware of any dog sickness from it, but it makes you wonder.

Sorry to hear of your loss. We hope you can take some comfort in Carol's message.

[Ozzie]

Wow...so sorry to hear of your loss...
I'll have to be more attentive traveling for sure after hearing of this.

And thank you Mrs. CountryGuy...I loved that little story of the rainbow bridge.

[HamRad]

Dave and Victoria,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We live in the Central Valley of California where VF is endemic. I did not even know that dogs could get VF. Thank you for alerting us to this issue. Next time we're at the vets we'll discuss this issue with her. I suspect she sees a lot of these cases.

Your suggestion about knowing what's what in any given area you're visiting is an excellent point. We will keep it in mind as we travel with our furry little guys.

Thanks and again sorry for your loss.

Denni and Mary Kay

[bigmurf]

Lady in our park in Casa Grande lost her dog to Valley Fever last winter.

[Dustytuu]

Thank you for the warning. This is good advice.

this summer in CO. we met a woman with two little white dogs and one she said almost died a couple of years ago. His kidneys even shut down. They didn't think he would make it but he did and is fine now. He had eaten some grass at an RV park that had been sprayed. Took them awhile and lots of test to find what was wrong.