Is an expectorant safe for dogs with Valley Fever and fast breathing?

Hello. Valley Fever is a fungal infection that typically originated in southwestern United States. Dogs contract it by inhaling spores from the fungus which lives in the soil. There are different prognoses for Valley Fever depending on how severe or advanced the infection is. If it is isolated to the respiratory tract, lungs...the prognosis is good but requires long term treatment ....usually 6-12 months of oral antifungal medications. If the infection has settled in bones , lymph nodes or internal organs require treatment for up to a few years and the prognosis is guarded. The most advanced form involves the brain and/or spinal cord. This can require lifelong treatment. The medications are somewhat expensive and can have side effects. Your veterinarian may periodically want to do bloodwork to make sure the medication is not causing problems such as liver disease. This is not a quick fix disease and it would be important to know how advanced this dog’s infection is so you can plan on the future expenses and treatment plan. Best of luck in your adoption process. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

It's difficult to tell what's going on without seeing the behavior, but they often look like they have something stuck in the throat when they are coughing. In that case, then Valley Fever would be suspect in your area, but there are many other bugs that can cause similar signs. It's best if you can take Rosie to see the vet and get this problem diagnosed. We are often able to treat for these problems and stop the coughing right away. If you can record your dog doing the behavior that you are describing, then this will be a great help to your vet . I hope that helps and Rosie gets better soon.

Hi there! To answer your question, yes, dogs can get Valley Fever. Here is a handout about Valley Fever in Dogs from the VCA Animal Hospital: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Coccidioidomycosis.aspx Here is also a link to a CDC website that mentions the area of California where Valley Fever is endemic: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Coccidioidomycosis.aspx I hope you find this answer helpful! Best of luck!

The primary form of the disease typically stays in the lungs. The disseminated form can affect different parts of the body. While the gums aren't commonly affected, it may be possible. If Rocco has a degree of periodontal disease, this could be a cause or contributing factor. Address it, if necessary, and see if the gingivitis improves.

That would be unusual for him to have Valley Fever. Your vet could biopsy the lesions to help diagnose the problem. If your vet can not diagnose than you could take your dog to a veterinary dermatologist to help determine the exact cause. Also, if he has not been on an antibiotic than your vet could try an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory and see if that helps. Hope he feels better soon!

Hi there. It would be best for you to take Coco to your vet for an exam if she is coughing. Coughing could be due to parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungus, asthma, etc. When you treat with cough syrup you are only placating the symptoms, not treating the underlying disease process. That being said, you can give Bisolvan but I would not use Linctus. You should use Bisolvan Chesty. The active ingredient is bromhexine - the Linctus has another ingredient (orciprenaline) which is a bronchodilator and that could cause the excessive panting you are seeing. Those bronchodilators really increase heart rate and respiratory rate and can be unsafe unless used properly. At 4 pounds it is likely she was overdosed. So, if you are going to use Bisolvan, use the Chesty variety. The dose is 2mg/kg twice a day - she could have about 4 mg. That equals about 5ml of Chesty syrup or 1 TEASPOON which she can take twice a day. Again, it is best to take her to your vet to figure out why she is coughing. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hi there! I hope Vega is doing well. I use these cough tabs in my practice as well. They are dextrometorphan and guafenison (similar to robitissin ). They can cause drowsiness or dizziness but I have never had an owner report this side effect. I hope this helps!