🔍 What Is Tularemia?

Tularemia is a rare but serious bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis. Also known as "rabbit fever," it primarily affects wild animals like rabbits and rodents, but cats can become infected and pose zoonotic risk to humans :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

1. How Cats Become Infected

• 🐾 Hunting/eating infected rodents or rabbits :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• 🦟 Bite from infected ticks, fleas, horseflies, deer flies, or mosquitoes :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• 💧 Ingesting contaminated water or handling infected animals :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

2. How Common Is It?

• Uncommon but widespread in North America, especially spring–summer :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Cats are more susceptible than dogs, particularly young cats in rural areas :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

3. Clinical Signs & Disease Patterns

Signs depend on route and severity:

• High fever (104–106 °F), depression, anorexia, dehydration :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Swollen lymph nodes—often painful, carriers of trendelenburg carverism :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Oral ulcers, abscesses, hepatitis, splenomegaly, pneumonia :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Dermal form (ulceroglandular)—skin ulcers at bite/wound :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Glandular (no ulcer), typhoidal (systemic), pneumonic forms possible :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Severe cases can progress to septicemia and sudden death :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

4. Risk to Humans & Zoonotic Precautions

Cats can transmit tularemia to humans. Handle with caution:

• Wear gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection when handling cats or samples :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Infected cats must be managed carefully in veterinary settings :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Advise owners to avoid contact with infected cats during acute illness.

5. Diagnosis – Veterinary Evaluation

1. History: exposure to wildlife or insect vectors, outdoor access.
2. Physical exam: check fever, lymph node size, oral/sinus lesions.
3. Bloodwork: CBC (pancytopenia, toxic neutrophils), chemistry (liver enzymes, bilirubin) :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
4. Blood cultures and aspirate cultures from lymph nodes or lesions :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
5. Serology or PCR confirm Francisella tularensis DNA.
6. Imaging (X-ray/ultrasound) to assess organ involvement.

6. Treatment & Hospital Care

• Immediate hospitalization with IV fluids, electrolytes, temperature control :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Antibiotics: gentamicin or streptomycin preferred; doxycycline or ciprofloxacin alternatives :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Typical course: 2–4 weeks to clear infection :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• Supportive care: anti-nausea, pain relief, nutrition, oxygen if pneumonia is present.
• Handling precautions: minimize exposure to staff and pets :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

7. Prognosis & Monitoring

• Early treatment yields good outcomes—most cats recover fully :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
• Delayed treatment may be fatal; septicemia possible :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
• Recurrence is rare once resolved, but follow-up exams and bloodwork recommended.

8. Prevention & Owner Guidance

• Keep cats indoors to reduce contact with wildlife and ticks :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.
• Use monthly tick and flea prevention :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.
• Advise owners not to hunt or eat wild animals.
• Use gloves when handling dead wildlife; dispose safely and wash hands :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.

9. Ask A Vet Remote Monitoring 🐾📲

• 📸 Upload photos of fever, lesions, or lymph node swelling.
• 🔔 Set reminders for antibiotic doses and fluid therapy schedules.
• 🧭 Log temperature, appetite, drinking, and activity daily.
• 📊 Alerts if fever returns, lesions worsen, or appetite drops.
• 👥 Virtual check-ins to adjust treatment and recommend follow-up testing.

10. FAQs

Can people catch tularemia from cats?

Yes—close contact or bites/scratches from infected cats can transmit tularemia. That’s why protective measures are essential :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}.

Is it contagious between cats?

Not through casual contact; transmission occurs via vectors or ingestion. No direct cat-to-cat spread has been reported.

What if my cat ate a rabbit?

Monitor for fever, lethargy, mouth ulcers, swelling. Contact your vet right away for testing and treatment.

How long is treatment?

Usually a minimum of 2–4 weeks of antibiotics plus monitoring until full clinical recovery.

11. Take‑Home Tips ✅

• Stay indoors: prevent wildlife exposure and tick bites.
• Act quickly: fever, ulcers, swelling need immediate veterinary care.
• Enforce safety: use PPE and cautious handling when dealing with suspected tularemia.
• Prevent recurrence: regular tick/flea control and safe wild animal disposal.
• Monitor remotely: Ask A Vet supports detailed tracking and timely alerts.

Conclusion

Tularemia is a rare but potentially severe zoonotic disease in cats—driven by wildlife exposure and vector bites. Prompt diagnosis, aggressive antibiotic therapy, and close monitoring are essential for a successful outcome. Owners play a critical role by keeping cats indoors, managing parasites, using protective handling measures, and engaging Ask A Vet’s remote tools for early recognition and support through 2025 and beyond 🐾📲.

If your cat presents with fever, swollen lymph nodes, oral lesions, or respiratory signs after hunting or outdoor exposure—seek veterinary care immediately and initiate Ask A Vet monitoring to guide treatment and protect your household.