About Gold Canyon Dog Owners Group

ZEUS is a 3-year old Pit Bull Terrier who was diagnosed with a severe case of Valley Fever on March 7, 2007. On March 14 ZEUS had successful open heart surgery. The 3 1/2 hour procedure removed the pericardial sac from around the heart. If it had not been done, the sac could have fused to the heart and ZEUS could have developed fatal restrictive heart failure. The surgery was ZEUS' only hope of overcoming Valley Fever. Dr. Lisa Shubitz and Dr. Sharon Dial, from the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology at the University of Arizona were consulted as well. The surgery was preformed at the Sonoran Veterinary Specialist Clinic in Phoenix. Phone 602-765-3700. Open 24 Hours. http://www.sonoraveterinaryspecialists.com/index.html

ZEUS is doing remarkable well! He went for a recheck on Thursday, March 22 (just 8 days after his surgery), Dr. Soderstrom said everything was great; heart rate, tempeature, no infections, etc. So he has definitely turned a corner. In fact, he has gained the 18 pounds he lost in the previous 2 weeks before his surgery.
A story was featured in the Scottsdale and East Valley Tribune on March 15 http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/85890, reporter John Leptich wrote a moving story about ZEUS, the "gentle giant", with a great picture by Paul O’Neill of the Tribune. Fundraising drives were started by friends to help with the more than $5,000 of surgery costs. Then an “Angel” from Fountain Hills who read the story, called Don to tell him that he would pay for ZEUS’ surgery, in full! Furthermore, his daughter, a senior in High School decided that she would like to go to the University of Arizona and become a Veterinarian. Wonderful people, and a story that touched the hearts of so many.

Finally, we had a chance to meet ZEUS and his "Dad" Don. As you can see from the pictures he looks wonderful, and has fully recovered. ZEUS wants to say THANKS to everyone for the prayers and loving emails he has received from his 4-legged friends.

NOTE: Seventy percent of dogs recover from Valley Fever, if treated. It is important to be aware of the symptoms and treat the disease as soon as possible.

Re-printed from the Valley Fever Center for Excellence
University of Arizona website
http://vfce.arl.arizona.edu

Valley Fever is primarily a disease of the lungs that is common in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is caused by the fungus Coccidioides sp., which grows in soils in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. These fungal spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed by winds, construction, farming and other activities. In susceptible people and animals, infection occurs when a spore is inhaled. Within the lung, the spore changes into a larger, multicellular structure called a spherule. The spherule grows and bursts, releasing endospores which develop into spherules. Valley Fever symptoms generally occur within three weeks of exposure. Valley Fever is NOT a "contagious" disease, meaning it is not passed from person to person. Second infections are rare.

Valley Fever can be a serious illness. It is estimated that there are about 100,000 cases in the southwestern U.S. each year, most of which resolve on their own. In patients with serious complications from the disease and those with immunosuppression (including AIDS and organ transplants), diagnosis and treatment is often complicated and expensive, and current therapy is sometimes inadequate to cure patients. Additionally, many visitors from regions where Valley Fever is not endemic develop Valley Fever after returning home from the Southwest, and their physicians may not be familiar with the disease.

The Valley Fever Center for Excellence (VFCE) was established in 1995 and is located at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System's facility (Tucson VA Medical Center) and is jointly sponsored by the University of Arizona and the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System.

The VFCE operates an informational HOTLINE 520-629-4777 for information about the disease, its diagnosis and treatment, as well as referrals to the Valley Fever Clinics and physicians. The VFCE maintains a website (English and Spanish) and answers questions by electronic mail vfever@email.arizona.edu

http://vfce.arl.arizona.edu - The Valley Fever Center for Excellence (VFCE) http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/pcvf/ - Project Canine Valley Fever message board. This message board has been created to offer support, encouragement and a shoulder to cry on to those with canines' battling Valley Fever
http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/VFCE%20OLD/Spanish/index.htmFiebre de Valle - Valley Fever information in Spanish
http://www.valleyfever.com - Valley Fever Vaccine Project of the Americas
http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0020002 - The article "Coccidioidomycosis- A Fungal Disease of the Americas" was written by Valley Fever Project Director Richard Hector with Rafael Laniado-Laborin of Mexico. It was published in January of 2005 by PLoS Medicine. PLoS Medicine is an open-access journal published by the nonprofit organization Public Library of Science
http://www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - A very informational website that includes: Frequently Asked Questions, Glossary, Action Letters and so much more

Saturday, November 18th, 2006
Gold Canyon D.O.G. - Dog Owners Group and Kramer's Valley Fever Fund, had an event "Canine Survivors of Valley Fever"
at Cosmo Dog Park in the Town of Gilbert

Officer Todd Johnson and K-9 SEIKO from the Gilbert Police Department.
SEIKO is a three-year-old, eighty-pound, Belgian Malinois imported from Holland. During his youth, SEIKO distinguished himself in a Dutch dog sport called KNPV, which is roughly translated as Royal Dutch Police Dog Association. In these competitions the dogs are run through a series of police dog related tests, which include obedience, agility and suspect apprehension. SEIKO underwent six weeks of training at the Gilbert Police Department where he was trained in narcotics detection and brushed up on his patrol dog skills. SEIKO and Officer Todd Johnson certified on September 15th and have already hit the streets.
Picture and text taken from the Gilbert Police Department website http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/police/k9.cfm

Officer Ben Lavis and K-9 BARCA from the Gilbert Police Department.
Officer Lavis was selected to the K-9 program in August, 2004. K-9 BARCA is his partner and is dual certified as a Patrol/Explosive canine. They received their training and certifications from the Gilbert Canine Unit and the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office.
K-9 Officer BARCA is a four-year old, Seventy pound Belgian Malinois from Holland. Prior to his acquisition by the Gilbert Police Department, he received a certification from the Royal Dutch Police Dog Association. BARCA recently received a stainless steel tooth, giving him a bit of a shiny smile!
BARCA and Officer Lavis have been on streets working patrol and have been used in several different calls for service. Recently, BARCA located a vehicle burglary suspect who had fled from patrol officers by hiding in a lake up to his chin! He was taken into custody.
Picture and text taken from the Gilbert Police Department website http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/police/k9.cfm

Officer Lavis and Officer Johnson from the Gilbert Police Department getting ready for a demonstration with BARCA.

Pinal County Sheriff Deputy Danny Richerson and his faithful companion K-9 FAZO, a 4-year old Belgian Malinois who has survived Valley Fever. FAZO is currently on medication for the disease, he is responding to treatment very well and working hard to apprehend the "bad guys"

Pinal County Sheriff's K-9 Officer FAZO and his handler Deputy Danny Richerson.

Which he did! The "bad guy" is Ernie Lindley, a volunteer Posse member for the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

The Arizona Department of Public Safefy Officer Louis "Doug" Torres and his K-9 ALEX . ALEX is a seven-year-old Belgian Malinois who is currently on medication for Valley Fever. He is an all purpose dog.

Sandy Bellmore with her dogs SKIPPER & TOBY -TOBY is a survivor of Valley Fever-; Andrew Means with SPARKY -another survivor of Valley Fever- and RICKY; Kay Rutledge with her GRACIE -GRACIE is on medication for Valley Fever- from Gold Canyon, and Dr. Sharon Dial from the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory of the University of Arizona

From left to right:
Shannon Lorenz, Dr. Sharon Dial, Marta Saint-James. and Curt Fonger. Shannon Lorenz and Teri Rogo (not in the picture) both had rescue Greyhounds with Valley Fever. When Shannon lost her beloved Jeffrey to the disease, they formed Project Canine Valley Fever and Jeffrey’s Fund, which raised over $2000 for veterinary research.

Deputy Richerson from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and FAZO relaxing after a great demonstration.

Cosmo Dog Park beautiful grounds. Dogs are welcome to swim in the lake. Humans are not!

We are very grateful to the Town of Gilbert for
allowing us the use of Cosmo Dog Park.
The park is located on Ray Rd., between Higley and Greenfield Rds.

A German Shepherd born in Holland, Cosmo van Blitsaerd began working for the Gilbert Police Department in 1993. While on duty in 1996, Cosmo ripped her tendon while apprehending a suspect, an injury she never fully recovered from. Despite walking with a limp, Cosmo courageously continued her service to the people of Gilbert. Ultimately, a degenerative eye disease forced Cosmo into retirement in May, 1999.
Loyal to the end, Cosmo passed away on May 29, 2002.
COSMO DOG PARK
in the Town of Gilbert was named in her memory.
Picture and text taken from the Gilbert Police Department website http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/police/k9.cfm

KRAMER was our beloved Golden Retriever who died from complications of Valley Fever on January 15, 2005. We donated his body for research to the Valley Fever Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Arizona. My husband and I established the Kramer's Valley Fever Fund in his memory. ALL proceeds from fundraising events will go to the University of Arizona Veterinary Laboratory for further research of the illness.

The quilt was raffled at the Canyon Arts Festival in Gold Canyon on January 28, 2006. The lucky person who won Kramer's Valley Fever Memorial Quilt is Regina Barnhill, a resident of Gold Canyon and a proud "Mom" of a rescued Cocker Spaniel named Durango.
We raised $1,830 for canine Valley Fever research. Dr. Sharon Dial from the Valley Fever Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Arizona was given the check at the event.
If you would like more information about canine Valley Fever, please visit http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/VFID-home.htm

VALLEY FEVER