Recurring Fever

Question
I have an 11mo male boxer. He has always been in great health and spirit since we adopted him about 5 mo ago from a shelter. He is a pure bred with papers ect...
We visited Prescott, AZ about 2 mo ago with him and upon returning he became very sick and had a fever of 105, stiff joints and loss of drinking and appetite.
After several days and tests he was given an antibiotic and sent home and recovered. We were told it was a fever of unknown origin.
Now we have just recently moved out here and he is sick again. He has been in and out of the Vet the last few days, tests antibiotic ect...concluding fever of unknown origin. He has sweling in joints from the fever the doctors say which is causing the stiffness.
We are now in about 1400.00 between both visits. I saw an ad that was ran last november where a couple was having the same issue and wrote into you...
I was wondering what came of it and if you have any suggestions for me.

Thanks,
Melinda

Answer
Hi Melinda,

Unfortunately, once people read the answers given, they rarely keep you updated.  

Because you say he recovered and then relapsed when he was taken to the same area, I'd be concerned about Valley Fever:

http://iupucbio2.iupui.edu/bml/valleyfeverfaq.html

http://www.nndda.org/CanineCocci.pdf

There's also the possibility of Lyme Disease.  Are ticks prevalent in the area?

Here is a listing of different diseases in dogs with brief explanations:

http://www.avar.org/pdf/publication/brochure/dog_disease_guide.pdf

Something may look familiar.

I'm sorry to not be able to help you further.  I would get a second opinion...the 'unknown origin' excuse is junk.  Something is causing his fever.  If you go to another vet, or are referred to a specialist, you should be able to take his medical records with you and not necessarily have to pay out for all the testing again.  I'm very concerned that it is something in his present environment.  Until you get it figured out, chances are high that it will recur.