Bobcat fever, or Cytauxzoon felis, is a potentially life-threatening illness to cats that spreads by bites from infected ticks.
WASHINGTON — Pet owners are urged to beware of a tickborne illness that is most commonly detected in the spring and summer and can be deadly to cats.
Bobcat fever, or Cytauxzoon felis, is a potentially life-threatening illness to cats that spreads by bites from infected ticks.
Lone Star ticks and American dog ticks are the most common type of ticks that carry the illness. Bobcats are carriers for the vast majority of the illness, which is most commonly found in the Southeast and Midwest parts of the U.S.
Veterinarians say the disease can spread in just a few hours after the tick bite, and early intervention for a cat that’s feeling under the weather can mean the difference between life or death.
Symptoms can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin, as the illness progresses.
This disease often strikes healthy, young, adult cats who have access to the outdoors or live outdoors, and the symptoms can be hard for cat owners to spot.
The illness carries a roughly 60% survival rate, but veterinary experts say early detection can make all the difference. The illness is treatable but may require aggressive care.
However, the best defense is prevention through flea and tick medications that kill the parasites quickly, according to veterinarians.
Outdoor pets are more susceptible to the illness because they are most likely to come in contact with ticks. Veterinary experts say it’s important to regularly check for ticks year-round but especially during peak months of March through September.