Introduction
Coccidioidomycosis is a disease that is caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis. The fungus naturally occurs in soils, and it is found most often throughout the southwestern USA and Mexico. Dogs are particularly susceptible to this fungus, but cats seem to be highly resistant to coccidioidomycosis. In some cases though, cats do develop severe symptoms if they have been exposed to the fungus; in these cases long term medical treatments can successfully resolve the condition.
Coccidioidomycosis can affect cats in different ways. Some cats seem to be immune to the fungus, other cats carry the fungus with no symptoms and their body is able to rid itself of the fungus without treatment, and some cats develop a coccidioidomycosis infection with significant symptoms. When symptoms do develop, they include weeping lesions on the skin, loss of appetite, weight loss, and in severe cases a chronic cough.
Treating Valley Fever
Oral anti-fungal medications are administered in order to treat a coccidioidomycosis infection that is causing symptoms. The medications used are either ketoconazole or itraconazole. Ketoconazole is less expensive than itraconazole, but ketoconazole can cause side effects. Either of the medications must be given once at day for between 6-12 months. In most cases the prognosis for treatment is excellent; however in cases where the fungus has spread throughout the body, affecting the cat’s respiratory system, the prognosis can be poor.
Coccidioidomycosis cannot be prevented, and cats that have become ill from Coccidioides immitis can have a reoccurring infection if they are exposed to the fungus again. Cats with impaired immune systems are particularly at risk for developing the disease, and it is best to keep these cats indoors to help reduce any future occurrence of coccidioidomycosis.