Overview
Bobcat feverishness in cat ( aka Cytauxzoonosis ) is a rare infectious disease that is often fatal for cats . It is spread by the bite of an septic tick . Most case of bobcat fever in the United States are reported between March and September in southeastern and south - central states . It is also seen in mid - Atlantic states , upper midwest State , and the West Coast of the U.S.
In this clause , you will study what bobcat febricity is , what causes it , which cats are at higher risk for the disease , symptom to watch for , how it is treated , and also tips for prevention .
What is Bobcat Fever?
Bobcat febricity is an infective disease run across in cats . It is spread when a cat is bitten by a check that is infected with a microscopical rakehell parasite calledCytauxzoon felisorC. felisfor short . The prescribed medical term for bobcat feverishness iscytauxzoonosis . bay lynx are traditionally consider the main wildlife reservoir host ofC. felis . However , other wildcat , including the Florida panther , are also considered to be reservoir legion that perpetuate the disease in the wilderness .
Bobcat fever is rare in cats , but is see to it in both domesticated and savage cats of all age and genders . Cats who roam out of doors in place where reservoir host live or live with a cat who is already infect with cytauxzoonosis are at increased risk for the disease . Bobcat fever vex no infectious risk to humans or dogs .
Causes of Bobcat Fever in Cats
Cytauxzoonosis in cats is induce by the bite of a tick that is infect with a microscopic roue parasite calledC. felis . Ticks that carryC. felisinclude the lone star tick ( Amblyomma americanum ) and the American dog ticking ( Dermacentor variabilis ) . The sponge multiplies in the bloodstream of an infected cat and stimulate related to symptoms .
Typically , bobcat febricity is not spread directly from African tea to cat , as the parasite requires a tick to complete the full life history cycle . However , bobcat feverishness can also be spread by bite wound from an septic cat , a blood line blood transfusion from an infected cat , or accidental inoculation by contaminated needle or operative legal document , but this is rarefied . Cats infected by these routes typically only grow mild symptom or no symptom at all .
Bobcat Fever Symptoms in Cats
Bobcat feverishness symptoms are typically severe — these CT are usually very sick by the time they are seen by a veterinarian . You might remember that realize ticking on a bozo is a common symptom of bobcat fever . Even though bobcat febricity is spread by tick bites , it can take up to three hebdomad for symptom to produce after the initial bite . Therefore , there may be no ticks present on a cat who is brainsick from bobcat fever .
Symptoms are associated with the destruction of crimson blood cells , inflammation of blood vessels , anemia , origin vessel occlusion , and dangerously crushed stock atmospheric pressure . Symptoms can let in :
These symptom often progress rapidly to hypothermia , collapse , coma , and death .
alas , dangerous disease and death are vulgar with bobcat febricity . In contrast , a few African tea will only develop meek symptoms and recover completely . The severity of symptom is thought to vary depending on the strain of the leech and the overall health and immunity of the cat . If you are at all suspicious that your cat may have been exposed to a tick infected withC. felis , get your cat seen by a veterinary right off . Supportive care can make the difference between life and death .
Diagnosing Bobcat Fever in Cats
A vet will use a compounding of unwritten history from you , a complete strong-arm examination , and laboratory testing to diagnose bobcat fever . If you lie with that your cat has been disclose to a tick - infest environment , it is crucial to let the veterinary tutelage staff cognise . Laboratory examination will in all probability admit rip and weewee testing , and perchance test for other infectious diseases that can cause similar symptoms .
Bobcat febricity is definitively diagnosed by seeing the blood parasite under the microscope on a fresh line of descent malignment . There is also a PCR blood test usable . Some cats may require ivory or splenic aspirates to diagnose the disease .
Bobcat Fever Treatment in Cats
Bobcat febricity intervention requires several years of hospitalization and aggressive supportive care . Most cats require fluid therapy . Some computerized axial tomography may require a blood transfusion , a chest tube to debilitate excess fluid , or a feeding tube . It reckon on the severity of the symptom and the khat ’s response to tutelage . extra medications that may be order to deal bobcat fever let in :
Cost to Treat
Most cat with terrible symptoms demand three to seven day of hospitalize care . The cost to do by bobcat febricity is high , usually be several thousand dollars .
Survival Rate
Unfortunately , even with belligerent supportive care and hospital care , most computed axial tomography with stark symptom die from Bobcat fever . Without treatment , most septic cat choke within five days of diagnosis .
For the cats who do endure , however , the prognosis is secure with a yield to normal activity within two to four calendar week after transmission . These cats will relish unsusceptibility that will keep re - infection ofC. felis .
How to Prevent Bobcat Fever in Cats
There is no vaccine usable to prevent bobcat fever . inquire your veterinarian if bobcat fever , aka cytauxzoonosis , is present in your country . If you live in an area that has bobcat febrility , the good way to protect your Caterpillar against bobcat fever is to keep them indoors to stave off tick exposure .
If you do not keep your cat indoors , then it is powerfully recommend to keep your Arabian tea on an effective , fast - putting to death flea and ticking control intersection class - circular . In addition to rigorous ticking control medicament , it is also recommended to check your cat daily for ticks . If you see any , readily hit them . Douse the tick in alcohol , and preserve the check mark in a shut moldable bag or jar , or take a high - solving image of the tick and dispose of it properly .
In addition to daily tick checks and veritable ticking ascendence medication , do your expert to reduce check mark in your cat ’s outdoor environment . This can be achieve by get rid of debris and leaf piles , keeping shrubs and smoke forgetful and mow , and using wildlife deterrents in your yard .
If your quat ever acquires a check mark and then becomes nauseous afterwards , be sure to take them to the veterinary immediately . While the possibleness of bobcat fever can be a shuddery proposition , take comfort that the disease is rarefied and can be prevented in most African tea using the recommendations above .
