Can cats recover from bobcat fever?

Can cats recover from bobcat fever?

The threat of Bobcat Fever is complicated by the fact that early symptoms are vague—lethargy, decreased appetite—but it is essential to the cat’s survival to receive appropriate medical treatment quickly. With intensive medical care and proper medication, the survival rate increases to about 60 percent.

How do you stop a bobcat fever in cats?

Since there is no vaccine to prevent Cytauxzoon felis, the best way to protect your cat is to minimize his risk of exposure. Keeping your cat indoors and away from the reach of ticks is the most effective preventive-measure.

How is cytauxzoonosis treated?

Specific drug protocols include anti-protozoal drugs such as imidocarb (not available in Canada) or a combination of atovaquone and azithromycin (an antibiotic). The current survival rate is about 60% with early diagnosis and treatment.

How long does it take a cat to recover from bobcat fever?

Fever should subside in five to seven days in cats that survive a cytauxzoonosis infection. All possible stress inducers should be removed from the cat at this time. Survival often leads to a complete recovery. Some cats may become a reservoir of the parasite for the rest of their lives.

What are the symptoms of bobcat fever in cats?

Symptoms to look for are lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, anemia (pale gums), jaundice and difficulty breathing. Cats can become ill up to 15 days after a tick bite.

What causes Cytauxzoonosis?

Cytauxzoonosis is an emerging, life-threatening infectious disease of domestic cats (Felis catus) caused by the tick-transmitted protozoan parasite Cytauxzoon felis. Cytauxzoon spp are apicomplexan parasites within the family Theileriidae along with their closest relatives of Theileria spp.

What is tick fever in cats?

But just one bite from the wrong tick could infect your cat with a fatal disease called cytauxzoonosis, or bobcat fever. Transmitted by the Lone Star tick, bobcat fever is a cat-specific infection that affects the cat’s blood cells and circulatory system. It is considered the most serious tick disease for cats by far.

Can humans catch bobcat fever?

Bobcat fever does not affect humans or dogs. It is called bobcat fever because bobcats are considered the main reservoir for the disease, as it is typically not fatal for them.

Why is it called bobcat fever?

It is called bobcat fever because bobcats are considered the natural reservoir for the disease. It affects all members of the cat family, yet is limited to only cats. Dogs and people can’t get the disease. Cytauxzoonosis is caused by a protozoan parasite called Cytauxzoon felis.

Can humans get bobcat fever?

Fortunately, humans nor dogs are susceptible to bobcat fever. However, dogs can pass ticks on to cats living in the same household.