With the warmer days of spring comes the risk of tularemia. Tularemia, a zoonotic disease, is a bacterial infection caused by Francisella tularensis, which primarily affects wildlife, particularly rabbits and rodents, and can also pose a risk to domestic pets and humans through direct contact, bites, or by consuming infected animals. Transmission can also occur by ticks, flies, aerosols, or contaminated food and water exposure.
If concern for tularemia is present, veterinary staff should wear PPE.
Signs and Susceptibility
Signs, particularly in cats and dogs, may vary and include fever, lethargy, lymphadenomegaly, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, nasal discharge, and oral ulcers. It’s important to note that not all animals show symptoms, and the disease can manifest in a variety of forms and severity from relatively mild to fatal.
Cats are more susceptible to tularemia than are dogs. Affected cats are often severely ill; dogs are more resistant and show milder signs. Puppies and kittens are more susceptible than adults.
Diagnostic Submissions
To make a diagnosis in live animals, you may submit EDTA blood or liver/spleen aspirates to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for a PCR test. Packing instructions include placing the sample in a double-zip bag/biohazard bag, marking with “BIOHAZARD,” and shipping on ice.
DO NOT necropsy animals if you suspect that they died of tularemia. Send the entire animal to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for examination, noting your suspicions in the history.
If you are examining tissues for any reason, the typical lesions are numerous 1- to 3-mm wide white round/spherical foci in enlarged livers, spleens, and lymph nodes.
Treatment
Tularemia is treated with antibiotics to eradicate the causative organism and supportive care to address accompanying conditions, such as dehydration and tissue injury. Some patients may need hospitalization, and the disease may be fatal despite early diagnosis and treatment.
Tularemia is a significant public health concern and infected pets can transmit the infection directly to people.
If you have questions, you may contact the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 217-333-5311 or the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at 217-333-1620.
