Tonka tested positive for Valley Fever.

[Eden86]

Is her quality of life impacted enough that you'd be willing to risk her getting really sick? Just from what I was reading that's a possibility right? It's definitely a hard choice. If it were Grace and the meds basically stopped her from doing everything I'd choose to stop them but if they only slowed her down then I'd probably keep her on them. I'd rather have her a bit lethargic and around as long as possible. That's only my opinion though and I don't know how much the meds are doing to Tonka. I also know nothing about Valley Fever.

 

[Eden86]

Can she change meds? From what I'm reading there are a couple of different ones. She might be better on a different one.

 

[Nat Ursula]

Yes, the Vet Tech told us that they do that sometimes. It can be significantly more expensive though.

 

[Nat Ursula]

Is her quality of life impacted enough that you'd be willing to risk her getting really sick? Just from what I was reading that's a possibility right? It's definitely a hard choice. If it were Grace and the meds basically stopped her from doing everything I'd choose to stop them but if they only slowed her down then I'd probably keep her on them. I'd rather have her a bit lethargic and around as long as possible. That's only my opinion though and I don't know how much the meds are doing to Tonka. I also know nothing about Valley Fever.

I just don't know how much better she would feel? I know I was blown away by how much better I felt when I stopped that medication...

 

[Eden86]

Yeah, no doubt she'd feel better but what are the odds of her getting worse? And it would be worth asking the question about medications. At least to find out the cost differences. I'd definitely give that a try before I dropped the meds totally.

 

[Nat Ursula]

Yeah, no doubt she'd feel better but what are the odds of her getting worse? And it would be worth asking the question about medications. At least to find out the cost differences. I'd definitely give that a try before I dropped the meds totally.

Thank you, I will ask. I think they don't know the odds but I get the feeling my Vet has seen her share of very sad stories of people losing their dogs to this dreadful illness.

 

[Nat Ursula]

Yeah, no doubt she'd feel better but what are the odds of her getting worse? And it would be worth asking the question about medications. At least to find out the cost differences. I'd definitely give that a try before I dropped the meds totally.

I just refilled an $80 prescription so we are not going to rush into anything.

 

[leavesofjoy]

When my mom's lab needed thyroid meds, she called the manufacturer, and they had special discount programs and offers she could use to get the meds cheaper. They told her most companies do, but people don't know to ask. Might be worth a shot, if you want to try the more expensive meds.

-MN

 

[Eden86]

I totally understand not wanting to throw that money away, no point looking into it until that runs out.

 

[Nat Ursula]

When my mom's lab needed thyroid meds, she called the manufacturer, and they had special discount programs and offers she could use to get the meds cheaper. They told her most companies do, but people don't know to ask. Might be worth a shot, if you want to try the more expensive meds.

-MN

I'll look into this but they are making so much money in the southwest from this illness.

 

[LeighAnn]

what did I miss?? Is Tonka okay? This appears to be an older thread ,, no? From 2016? Is there an illness Tonka has that has reaccurred? I hope she gets to feeling better soon.. I'm so sorry you all are going through this. Please keep me updated!

 

[Nat Ursula]

what did I miss?? Is Tonka okay? This appears to be an older thread ,, no? From 2016? Is there an illness Tonka has that has reaccurred? I hope she gets to feeling better soon.. I'm so sorry you all are going through this. Please keep me updated!

Hi LeighAnn,
Tonka is still being treated for Valley Fever. Many many dogs with VF in Arizona do not get adopted once they test positive for this. Blood work and medication can be expensive. Often, the dog needs to stay on the medication for the rest of its life. There is no cure. All the anti fun gal medication does is keep the number of spores down. I got VF as soon. As I moved out here. I had double pneumonia and took the same medication and dose not hat Tonka is on. I took it for six months. It makes you feel really lousy. Your lips get so dry and peel. I had to use blistex the whole time. It makes you super thirsty and tired.

 

[LeighAnn]

OH GOODNESS! I am sorry!! I had never really heard of this prior but googled it and it appears to be more common out west.. what I gathered is it sounds similar to flu symptoms?? That cannot be any fun at all!! I hope you all get to feeling better soon.. I read somewhere that not only is the human flu season the worst its been in years but the canine flu numbers seem to be up as well.

 

[Nat Ursula]

Tonka's valley fever test was negative! We are doing a dance over here tonight! I took her off the meds. On April 1st. I found an excellent supplement to support her immune system. They said her annual full bloodwork looked very good too.

 

[Capt. Roxy]

WOO HOO!!!!!! Such wonderful news!! So happy for you guys!

 

[Nat Ursula]

WOO HOO!!!!!! Such wonderful news!! So happy for you guys!

Thank you friend.

 

[Eden86]

That’s awesome Nat. I know it’s been a battle so it’s nice you finally got the all clear.

 

[Nat Ursula]

That’s awesome Nat. I know it’s been a battle so it’s nice you finally got the all clear.

Thanks, she is not out of the woods yet. She needs on more negative test in 3 months.

 

[BCdogs]

That’s awesome to hear. How long did it take before you saw the neg?

My fiancé’s grandparents went to Arizona for the winter and unfortunately, their dog came back positive. No vets around here are super knowledgeable on it because it doesn’t exist in our area, so this thread has been helpful. I feel bad for them, the dog is on and off food constantly and just super lethargic most of the time. They’ve been given 6 months of antibiotics for her before testing again.

 

[Nat Ursula]

That’s awesome to hear. How long did it take before you saw the neg?

My fiancé’s grandparents went to Arizona for the winter and unfortunately, their dog came back positive. No vets around here are super knowledgeable on it because it doesn’t exist in our area, so this thread has been helpful. I feel bad for them, the dog is on and off food constantly and just super lethargic most of the time. They’ve been given 6 months of antibiotics for her before testing again.

.
The dog should be on antifungals like Fluconazole. She started them and in Sept. Of 2016. Many dogs have to stay on them their whole lives. It is very expensive. They can get it in compounded form from Diamondback Pharmacy, Scottsdale, Arizona. They ship all over the country.