LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — As temperatures rise and ticks become more active, veterinarians are urging cat owners to take precautions against a deadly disease known as bobcat fever.
The illness, which is spread through tick bites primarily through the Lone Star Tick, can affect domestic cats and progress rapidly if left untreated.
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“What happens is we start to see a lot of changes in the blood that can ultimately lead to death if not treated,” said Allison Connor, a relief veterinarian at Village Animal Hospital.
Connor said the disease’s symptoms can be difficult to recognize at first.
“It can be a fever, not wanting to eat, lethargy, or just becoming very tired and reclusive. They can have exams, although that is a lot less common,” Connor said.
She said she has already seen cases this year, including one cat that did not survive.
“A lot of times, we will admit them, and by the next day, they’re critical. They can go into respiratory distress, they can go into liver failure, they can start to have seizures,” Connor said.
Because the disease can worsen so quickly, Connor said prevention is critical.
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“What we want to do is get these cats on a reliable flea and tick product, and there are numerous on the market. I definitely recommend sticking with the more prescription-level medications; they are more effective and safe,” she said.
Connor also encourages pet owners to seek veterinary care as soon as they notice something is wrong.
“If your cat is not acting right, if it’s lying around, particularly if it’s an outdoor cat, if it’s not acting right, the sooner that we can get them and diagnose them, the better chance we have of saving them,” Connor said.
Veterinarians recommend keeping cats on veterinarian-approved flea and tick prevention products year-round and contacting a veterinarian immediately if a cat begins showing signs of illness.
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