Mandibular osteomyelitis was diagnosed in an 18-month old male Labrador retriever with one-week history of pain when opening the mouth. The dog is responding to treatment after three months on oral ketoconazole. Serology tests were positive for Coccidiodes immitis. Radiographic diagnosis was monitored during therapy.
Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever, San Joaquin Valley Fever) is caused by a saprophytic fungus, Coccidioides immitis. The term valley fever is used to describe cases of coccidioidomycosis and refers to the San Joaquin Valley in California, where many of the first human cases were described. Coccidioides immitis is a highly specialized saprophytic fungus that lives in the soils of semi-arid geographic areas in the western hemisphere. The specialized growth requirements are met in the area called the lower Sonoran life zone. The epizootiology has been described elsewhere.1,2
