The University of Arizona has secured more than
$1 million in federal funds for safety trials of a Valley Fever
drug Nikkomicin Z.
For further information please read the article published
in The Arizona Republic on September 14, 2007
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0914biz-valleyfever0914.html
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.
Marta Saint-James
May 11, 2007
If you like to send an email to ZEUS,
please send it to MartaStJames@msn.com
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.
UNIVERSITY
OF ARIZONA
VALLEY FEVER CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE
Tucson, Arizona |
Re-printed
from the Valley Fever Center for Excellence
University of Arizona website
http://vfce.arl.arizona.edu
The technical term
for Valley Fever is Coccidioidomycosis,
"Cocci" for short
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
VALLEY
FEVER AWARENESS WEEK
November 13-19, 2006
as proclaimed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano |
Article published in The Arizona Republic by reporter
Mike Walbert on November 17, 2006
http://www.azcentral.com/families/articles/1117gr-fever1117Z12.html
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.
BARCA
waiting for the command from his handler Officer Lavis.
Another
successful mission for K-9 BARCA.
SEIKO
ready to defend his handler.
SEIKO
follows the commands from his handler Officer Johnson.
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"
Sergeant
"Ty" Morgan from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office
with FAZO.
Pinal
County Sheriff's K-9 Officer
FAZO and his handler Deputy Danny Richerson.
FAZO,
Pinal County Sheriff's Office K-9 running to apprehend a suspect.
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.
K-9 COSMO

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'S
VALLEY FEVER FUND |
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.
Marta Saint-James & Curt Fonger, Kramer's
parents
KRAMER'S
VALLEY FEVER MEMORIAL QUILT |
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
|
|
Curt
Fonger, Dr. Sharon M. Dial and Marta Saint-James |
Francine
Schut and Marta Saint-James from Gold Canyon D.O.G.
Dog Owners Group |
