Moore Animal Welfare has confirmed its first case of bobcat fever, also known as Cytauxzoonosis, prompting officials to raise awareness about this dangerous tick-borne disease affecting domestic cats. The disease spreads through infected tick bites, and cats do not need to encounter a bobcat to contract it.
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Animal control supervisor Nicole McKim stated that the shelter received a cat on Wednesday, initially believed to have been hit by a car. X-rays did not reveal any broken bones, but the cat exhibited symptoms consistent with bobcat fever. After testing positive for the disease, the cat unfortunately passed away. McKim noted that a significant indicator was the cat's jaundiced appearance, including yellowing of the skin, ears, and gums, which necessitated immediate veterinary intervention.
Dr. Sydney Price, a veterinarian with Swaim Cerum Company, highlighted that bobcat fever can result in anemia and respiratory issues, often requiring swift hospitalization for affected cats. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent the disease, making tick prevention essential. Dr. Price emphasized the importance of keeping ticks away from pets.
While bobcat fever is not transmissible through casual contact between cats and does not infect humans, symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after a tick bite. To mitigate the risk, officials recommend keeping cats indoors when possible, utilizing veterinarian-approved flea and tick prevention, routinely checking pets for ticks, and maintaining tidy yards to reduce tick habitats.