CYTAUXZOONOSIS, FELINE - USA (MISSISSIPPI)
Date: 4 Aug 2007
Source: Daily Journal.com [edited]
<http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=248204&pub=1&div=News>
Vets warn of deadly cat disease
-----------------------------------
The appearance of a deadly feline disease in Northeast Mississippi
has experts warning cat owners to take extra precautions, but some
vets say the risks are slim.
A fatal parasitic blood infection called cytauxzoonosis (pronounced
sy-toe-zo-ono-sis) was discovered in a cat recently at the
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicines Animal
Health Center. There also have been a few cases of unexplained cat
deaths in Mississippi.
"The key to protecting your cat is prevention because there is no
cure for this disease," said Dr. Sharon Grace, clinical professor and
feline specialist.
People who have both dogs and cats should make sure all their animals
are tick free because the tick that carries the disease the American
dog tick can hitchhike from dogs or humans to cats, Grace said.
Pet owners should apply a topical product containing fipronil, which
will kill ticks that carry the disease.
"If you see a tick on your pet get rid of it right away," said
Gretchen Ganas, veterinarian at Tupelo's Animal Care Center. But, she
said, the disease is extremely rare and "it's unlikely to see any
problems, so there is no need to be overly concerned."
Neither Ganas nor veterinarian Stephen King of the Tupelo Small
Animal Hospital has seen cases of cytauxzoonosis. But King said that
doesn't mean it hasn't occurred.
"It's difficult to diagnose," King said.
Plus, said Dr. Mark Russak, a veterinarian at the Animal Health
Center, cats typically hide their symptoms, which emerge within
several days to 2 weeks of being bitten by a carrier tick. Symptoms
include listlessness, refusal to eat and drink, and extreme fever.
"The animal suffers an agonizing death within a short time from the
start of the infection, Grace said.
Despite the illness' rarity, Ganas said she's noticed an increase in
the flea and tick population this summer, and that could explain its
appearance.
[Byline: Daily Journal city reporter Emily Le Coz
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Joseph P. Dudley
Date: 4 Aug 2007
Source: Daily Journal.com [edited]
<http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=248204&pub=1&div=News>
Vets warn of deadly cat disease
-----------------------------------
The appearance of a deadly feline disease in Northeast Mississippi
has experts warning cat owners to take extra precautions, but some
vets say the risks are slim.
A fatal parasitic blood infection called cytauxzoonosis (pronounced
sy-toe-zo-ono-sis) was discovered in a cat recently at the
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicines Animal
Health Center. There also have been a few cases of unexplained cat
deaths in Mississippi.
"The key to protecting your cat is prevention because there is no
cure for this disease," said Dr. Sharon Grace, clinical professor and
feline specialist.
People who have both dogs and cats should make sure all their animals
are tick free because the tick that carries the disease the American
dog tick can hitchhike from dogs or humans to cats, Grace said.
Pet owners should apply a topical product containing fipronil, which
will kill ticks that carry the disease.
"If you see a tick on your pet get rid of it right away," said
Gretchen Ganas, veterinarian at Tupelo's Animal Care Center. But, she
said, the disease is extremely rare and "it's unlikely to see any
problems, so there is no need to be overly concerned."
Neither Ganas nor veterinarian Stephen King of the Tupelo Small
Animal Hospital has seen cases of cytauxzoonosis. But King said that
doesn't mean it hasn't occurred.
"It's difficult to diagnose," King said.
Plus, said Dr. Mark Russak, a veterinarian at the Animal Health
Center, cats typically hide their symptoms, which emerge within
several days to 2 weeks of being bitten by a carrier tick. Symptoms
include listlessness, refusal to eat and drink, and extreme fever.
"The animal suffers an agonizing death within a short time from the
start of the infection, Grace said.
Despite the illness' rarity, Ganas said she's noticed an increase in
the flea and tick population this summer, and that could explain its
appearance.
[Byline: Daily Journal city reporter Emily Le Coz
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Joseph P. Dudley