How to recognize if you or your dog has valley fever

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) - Valley fever in dogs can present serious health challenges, and early detection is crucial.

According to the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine, common early symptoms in dogs include coughing, fever, weight loss, lack of appetite, and lack of energy.

These symptoms arise from lung infections and can lead to pneumonia for dogs, which is visible on x-rays. Swollen lymph nodes near the heart may also cause a dry, hacking cough by pressing on the dog's windpipe, which also adds irritation.

Disseminated disease occurs when the infection spreads beyond the lungs, often infecting the bones of the legs, causing lameness. Other signs include back or neck pain, seizures, skin swelling, non-healing wounds that ooze fluid,