Bobcat Fever is a serious and fatal disease that causes anemia in feline species. Although the name suggests that the wild bobcat is primarily affected, this is not the case. Bobcats appear to have good immunity and tend to be “carriers” of the parasite, without showing any signs of illness. Domestic cats, however, are not so lucky.
Bobcat Fever is mostly found in the south central and south eastern areas of North America. The incidence of the disease is believed to be spreading due to climate change and local weather changes. This article will explain how Bobcat Fever is transmitted, what causes it, and what can be done to treat cats suffering from this troublesome disease.
What is Bobcat Fever?
There is a technical name for Bobcat Fever: Cytauxzoonosis. This is because Bobcat Fever is caused by a blood parasite called Cytauxzoon felis. The parasite is found in ticks (most commonly Lone Star tick and American dog tick). When a tick carrying the C. felis The parasite feeds on a cat, the parasite can be transmitted through the cat’s blood.
Once in the cat’s blood, the parasite undergoes several stages of division and replication. The parasite attacks the white blood cells (macrophages) and causes them to explode. They then infect the red blood cells which are destroyed causing the cats to become anemic. Clusters of parasites have the ability to close (block) blood vessels and interfere with the distribution of oxygen to tissues.
What Are the Signs of Bobcat Fever?
Symptoms of Bobcat Fever develop approximately 10 days from the time of the tick bite. The first signs may be vague or “uncertain”:
- Dizziness
- No appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Pale gums, or yellow discoloration of the gums
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Increased heart rate
Later in the course of the disease, cats become very unwell. The lymph nodes, spleen, and liver may be enlarged. Cats often become hypothermic (low body temperature), and then go into a coma. Death occurs shortly thereafter around the 21st day after infection.
What Causes Bobcat Fever?
Bobcat Fever is caused by a blood parasite Cytauxzoon felis. This is carried in the saliva of an infected tick and injected into the cat’s bloodstream when the tick feeds. The tick replicates in blood cells (and other body tissues), causing red blood cell destruction and anemia.
The pain is no caused by ingestion of ticks. It is not caused by the presence of bobcats or other infected cats.
How Do I Care for a Cat with Bobcat Fever?
At home, there is no way to know if your cat has contracted Bobcat Fever, as it requires several diagnostic tests to be performed. For this reason, if your cat has any of the first signs of being unwell, it is best to have them checked out by a veterinarian.
In the past, the death rate was believed to be very close to 100%. This means that no cat suffering from Bobcat Fever is believed to have survived. Recently, there has been some success in treatment, although still few. Cats require hospitalization and aggressive treatment with intravenous fluids, specific injectable drugs for C. felis parasite, blood transfusion, and nutritional support (which may require placement of a feeding tube). Cats that survive may spend more than a week in the hospital and an additional two weeks for a full recovery.
In severely ill cats, or where hospitalization and aggressive treatment are not possible, euthanasia may be the best option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How Is Bobcat Fever Diagnosed?
Bobcat Fever is diagnosed using a combination of blood tests. The C. felis The parasite is often seen in red blood cells when examining a film under a microscope. PCR (DNA) tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. If the cause of anemia remains unclear after blood tests, imaging studies may be used to rule it out. others cause of anemia.
2. What is the Prognosis for Cats with Bobcat Fever?
With prompt and aggressive treatment, it is believed that up to 60% of cats can survive. Without treatment, the mortality rate is close to 100%. It is not fully understood why some cats survive and others do not.
3. How to Prevent Bobcat Fever?
The only way to ensure that your cat is no at risk of Bobcat Fever keep them indoors, where they are not exposed to ticks. Tick prevention products can be used in the form of spot-on treatments and collars, but none are 100% effective. Talk to your veterinary team about the best tick prevention tactics in your area.
Conclusion
Bobcat Fever is a potentially fatal parasitic disease that causes anemia in domestic cats. The disease got its name because the bobcats reservoir hostmeaning they are the natural animal in which the C. felis the parasite lives. But while bobcats don’t get sick as a result of their infection, house cats do get sick.
Treatment protocols exist but must be done early. If you live in an area where cats are at risk of Bobcat Fever, it is best to keep them indoors. If this is not possible, make sure you are applying a tick repellant. If you have any concerns about your cat’s health, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian.
Featured Image Credit: a photo, Shutterstock
