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The Canine Valley Fever Project is a Study and Registry. The Study is observational. The goal is to enroll as many dogs as possible that live full or part-time in endemic areas and determine if there are significant and correlating factors that occur to keep healthy dogs healthy and cause healthy dogs to get sick. The Registry will create a database of cases.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
Your dog’s breed, nutrition, health, environment, symptoms and disease resistance will be evaluated within the Study. Step 1: What do I need to do to participate in the Canine Valley Fever Project?
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PET OWNERS FOR EACH VET VISIT YOU MAY PURCHASE LABWORK OFF THIS WEBSITE. YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY FOR THE SAME TESTS - DUPLICATES -AT THE VET CLINIC.
IMPORTANT UPDATE! Any dog anywhere in the continental United States that is positive for Valley Fever is eligible to be in the Study. Check out the instructions for the Virtual Study Site at Study Veterinarians |
WHATS NEW! Any pet owner that resides either full or part-time in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima County may now register for the CVFP, purchase labs and go to their own Veterinarian if there is not a Study Site nearby.
Check out the instructions for the Virtual Study Site at Study Veterinarians |
Do you live in Maricopa, Pima or Pinal counties, in Arizona full or part-time? Do you travel to this area with your pet? Do you live elsewhere and your dog has been diagnosed with Valley Fever? Your pet is eligible.
Choose your group below. Rescued or foster dogs may also participate. Group 1: Dogs must have one of the symptoms and live full or part-time from the three counties. Minimum of 3 months of age. Group 2: Dogs that have been diagnosed with Valley Fever. There are varying degrees of disease resolution. Even if the dog is off the medication and no longer sick, they are eligible for Groups 2.c. and 2.d. The purpose of this is to monitor relapse rates. Please bring as much of the original Valley Fever diagnostic results as possible to your Study Vet. Testing is at 3 months or 6-month intervals or as directed by the vet. Group 3: Healthy dogs living full or part-time in the 3 counties. If you have a healthy, symptom-free dog that is not on anti-fungal medication. Minimum 6 months of age. Testing is every six-months. Step 2: Schedule with one of the listed CVFP Study veterinarians for a first visit, which is called the Screening Visit. You may opt to use your own vet if a Study Site is not relatively close.
The Study Sites and steps for using your own vet are listed under the Study Veterinarians tab.
What is a Screening Visit? This is the visit where the Study veterinarian will be examining your dog and obtaining the biologic samples for testing. What is expected of owners who enroll their dogs in the Canine Valley Fever Project Study? Good record keeping and completing the Owner Questionnaire for each vet visit. Your dog will be tested either every 3 months or every 6 months or as needed. Step 2: Register and Purchase Your Labs
Register under Pet Owner registration and click on all of the agree and submit buttons. Do not leave any red areas. Please use only certain browsers such as Google, Edge or Firefox. Ensure that you get a confirmation.
Next, purchase the full-set of labs as indicated by Test code 933 $125. Print your receipt. The full set of labs consist of a blood panel and Cocci screen and titer. The blood panel consists of many of the measures that your veterinarian would normally request to verify the health of your dog such as globulins and white blood cells. The Cocci Screen and Titer determines if you dog has been exposed or infected by Valley Fever organism and is making antibodies to fight the organism. What is a PCR test (on hold)? Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing measures the DNA of the Valley Fever organism if it has infected your dog and is present in certain tissues samples such as draining lesions. This is called Specific Manifestations of the disease. Examples of Specific Manifestations are swollen joints, seizures, coughing and diarrhea to name a few. Your vet will be able to run tests to determine if the Cocci organism is present. Special subsidized pricing for Study participants.
The first combined test set of the Cocci Comprehensive is $125.00). Follow-up testing is either $125 for the full-set or $65 for a Cocci Screen and Titer. The Cocci Comprehensive bundle Chemistry 27 includes liver function, kidney function, electrolytes and many other important test results Comprehensive Complete Blood Count includes White and Red blood cell lines, platelets and measures for anemia Thyroid - T4 Coccidioides Screen and Titer which is the antibody count (stand alone is $65) Step 4: Fill out an Owner Questionnaire
Once you have completed your Screening Visit, please go to Pet Owner Info and complete the Owner Questionnaire in detail. We ask that you complete all of the information regarding your dog’s diet, supplementation, exercise program and medical history. This is vital information and crucial to the Study. |
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Why do I have to use a Study veterinarian? These vets have all agreed to act as Scientific Investigators for this Study. They will also track any type of adverse event that might occur. They have all of the necessary supplies for testing in their clinic. You may still get a second opinion with your regular veterinarian or see if your vet wants to join the Study. What do I need to do to prepare my dog for the Screening Visit?
What are the Benefits of this Study? One of the primary goals of this Study is to catch Valley Fever at the earliest stages. It’s also designed to be fast, inexpensive, and efficient. Early detection of Valley Fever could prevent dissemination that can be deadly. The Study vets will be working on providing the best standard-of-care possible. Is my information confidential? Your data is confidential. Your veterinarian will receive the test results with your dog’s name and will have all of your contact information as is normally done. The dog will be listed in the database by name and site code identifier. None of your private information will be listed in the database. What are the Risks? Misdiagnosis is always a grave risk with Valley Fever. Titers may be negative in very sick dogs. Valley Fever is frequently mistaken for cancer. Blood draws are sometimes difficult and there might be bruising where the needles are inserted. There is no compensation available in the unlikely event of physical harm or misdiagnosis. How will the Results be shared? Important and relevant information from the Study will be shared with you through updates at the Canine Valley Fever Project website. Results from the Study will be published in scientific journals. Dogs that are positive for Valley Fever will constitute a registry that will provide valuable case studies for future veterinarian use. Do I have the Right to Withdraw? After the Screening Visit if you do not wish to participate simply let your Study Vet know. If you do decide to continue with the Study and have to withdraw later on that is also acceptable. Please just notify the Study Vet. |