Over the last few days, I've been discussing four major zoonotic diseases that can be spread from animal to man with the tick as a vector. I've already discussed ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In this entry I want to discuss Tularemia, and I'll finish up next week with a discussion on Lyme disease.
Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever is a disease that while rare, is found throughout the northern hemisphere. The disease is transmitted typically from animal to animal by the Lone Star tick as well as the ticks that can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks become infected by feeding on an animal already infected with the disease causing organism (Francisella) and when these ticks become attached to a non-infected animal and feed, the disease is passed into that animal. Humans cannot get Tularemia directly from their pet. However, if the pet develops the disease a tick can feed on and then pass the disease from the pet to the human if the human gets a tick bite. Tularemia is also transmitted by fleas and dogs and cats can become infected by eating rabbits or rodents already infected.
Symptoms that can occur that may be indicative of Tularemia in dogs include: loss of appetite, listlessness and low grade fever. In cats symptoms may include: high fever and swollen lymph nodes. If Tularemia is suspected, the pet should be examined by a veterinarian. A blood test to measure antibody levels can be performed. The disease can also be diagnosed by culturing the bacterium from tissue from the animal. In humans a lesion at the site of the tick bite usually develops followed by enlarged lymph nodes. Humans can also get the disease from eating contaminated, undercooked rabbit and symptoms can include intestinal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Tularemia is treated with antibiotics. In pets, enrofloxacin (Baytril) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can be used. For humans, the antibiotics gentamicin and streptomycin are used.
Because this disease is spread to animals by ticks and fleas, the 1-800-PetMeds pharmacy staff recommends applying a monthly flea and tick preventative on your pet. These products should be used year round because fleas and ticks can survive indoors even in the winter.
For further information on tick borne disease visit the Tick FAQ's site on PetHealth101. You can also visit the fleas FAQ's site as well.
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