Animals typically get tularemia by ingesting contaminated food (raw meat from infected animals) or by drinking contaminated water. In the United States, it is most common in Arkansas and Missouri, though it can be found in most parts of the U.S. Tularemia is a rare but potentially fatal disease that occurs in wild and domestic animals. Rabbits and wild rodents are the primary species affected (hence the nickname) but other species, including humans, can also contract the disease. Cats are more susceptible and may develop high fevers and swollen lymph nodes. Cats are considered to have a fever if their body temperature is higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit. While rabbit fever, or tularemia, is more common in rabbits and rodents, it can affect cats as well. Ingesting the infected water, soil, or food that has become contaminated can also cause infection. Early treatment is the mainstay of successful resolution and cure of the symptoms. Cats also appear to have a greater susceptibility than other domesticated animals. Infection in cats occurs from ingestion of an infected animal, contaminated water, or the bite of a blood sucking insect. Wild rabbits (cottontail and jackrabbits) are an important source of the infection. Your veterinarian may need the assistance of a specialized laboratory service for confirmatory diagnosis. It is more common in cats than dogs. When they’re sick, cats may also be anorexic, dehydrated, or listless with ulcers, abscesses, jaundice, pneumonia and/or enlargement of their livers or spleens.How is tularemia diagnosed and treated?If your veterinarian is suspicious that your cat might have tularemia, she’ll want to run special serologic blood tests looking for antibodies against the bacteria. Serological tests (detection of antibodies in the serum of the patients) are available and widely used. Wild rabbits (cottontail and jackrabbits) are an important source of the infection. 2 Rabbits and rodents are very susceptible to infection and may … In Minnesota, tularemia is most often reported in cats with symptoms of high fever, swollen lymph nodes, mouth ulcers, depression, and loss of appetite. The inhaled form is … What can you do to prevent tularemia infection? It is spread through contact with animals that have the bacteria—usually through contact with wild animals, including hares, rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, beavers, and deer. However, the disease has also been found to affect over 100 other species of wild and domestic mammals including dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, birds, hamsters, horses, among many others. The bacterium is typically spread by ticks, deer flies, or contact with infected animals. Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever and deer-fly fever, is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Sheep and cats may be subclinically infected or develop bacteremia, fever, and respiratory infection. The most common source of infection for people is the bite of an infected tick so take care when gardening, clearing weeds/brush or even mowing lawns. what is rabbit fever in a cathow to what is rabbit fever in a cat for We are committed to providing quality rheumatologic care for the people of Arizona. Dogs and cats contract tularemia by eating infected rabbits or other animals, by drinking contaminated surface water, through tick and deer fly bites, and by exposure to contaminated soil through broken skin. Dried animal material may be aerosolized and inhaled, causing disease. A definitive diagnosis can also be made if the organism can be cultured from tissue specimens on special culture media. Also to know is, is cat saliva toxic to rodents? If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. Rabbits, rodents and cats are very susceptible to infection. Tularemia: as with humans, Francisella tularensis can be transmitted from an infected rabbit to cats and dogs. However, rodents such as squirrels, chipmunks, woodrats, prairie dogs, and mice can also be a concern. In some other cases, it has been contracted from inhaling particles from an infected rabbit or other small rodent that was ground up in a lawnmower. While unusual through most types of transmission, cats who eat rabbits, mice, and other rodents are at risk for contracting rabbit fever. Cats are at higher risk than many other domestic animals due to their predatory behavior. Dogs and cats may also eat contaminated meat, causing fever and swollen nodes. The bacteria is highly infectious — entering the body via skin, eyes, mouth, throat or lungs; by ingestion, inhalation and even by drinking contaminated water.How would your cat get tularemia?According to the Center for Food Security & Public Health, the bacterium that causes tularemia can be found in the organs or body fluids of infected animals. Rabbit Fever Can Infect People, Pets Aug 18, 2015 / Infectious Disease / Preventive Health / Cats / Dogs / Wildlife A disease of wildlife called tularemia, a.k.a. Feeding Kittens 101: What to Feed, How Much, and How Often. According to MERCK, efforts are underway to develop safe and effective vaccines for pets and people.What can you do to prevent tularemia infection?The only way to completely protect your cat from infection is to keep him free of ticks and other biting insects. The bacterium may also infect the cat through its skin, or by entering its airways, eyes or gastrointestinal system. Cats have often been voracious hunters, especially of outdoor animals such as rabbits. Infection is often caused by ingestion of an infected mammals' tissue, such as when a cat hunts a small animal, bird or reptile, through water, or by tick, mite, flea or mosquito bite – all of which can carry and transmit the bacteria. It’s important, however, to remember that you are also at risk. Recovery from the infection does produce long-lasting immunity. Kittens are more susceptible, but cats of any age are at risk. Dogs rarely show signs of illness. What are the symptoms of tularemia in cats? Humans are most likely to acquire the infection by tick bite, through cat scratches, and in some cases, simply through handling an infected animal. The different signs you could see include: Fever Ulcers of mouth and tongue Gastroenteritis Swelling of regional lymph glands Anorexia and weight loss Cough Difficulty breathing Pneumonia Septicemia Depression Keep cats indoors, so they can’t bring in the virus from outside. Dr. Mike Paul, DVM. You may ask if cats will kill rabbits in the first place when it comes In the United States, there are two subspecies of Francisella tularensis that … Unfortunately, because it takes time for your cat’s immune system to mount a detectable response, these tests may not be diagnostic during the first few weeks of illness. On the other hand, domestic cats are very susceptible to tularemia and have been known to transmit the bacteria to humans. The microbiologist must be informed when tularemia is suspected because F. tularensis requires special media for cultivation, such as buffered charcoal and yeast extract (BCYE). 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