Rabbit Fever: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

There are many illnesses that dogs and cats can get from other animals that exist in the wild. Pet owners are most familiar with ticks and fleas and the diseases that they can communicate. Ticks are one of the main ways that dogs and cats can catch diseases that they would normally not be exposed to when living in your home. There are other routes of transmission of this condition however, and pet owners should be aware that keeping ticks off their pet might not be enough to prevent them from getting sick.

Rabbit fever (also known as Tularemia) is actually communicable to cats, dogs, and humans. Ticks carry this illness, and they can transfer the bacteria to their hosts. The bacteria can be present in the corpses of other animals that have died. Dogs are most likely to get sick from consuming the flesh of infected animals. Humans can sometimes catch rabbit fever from infected animals that bite them.

The Types of Rabbit Fever

There are three types of rabbit fever that are listed below: 

Type A

The first is Type A. This is the version of the illness that is most likely to be severe. Type A is common in North America but less likely to impact animals in other parts of the world.

Type B

Type B infections are milder in most cases and are more likely to be caused by contact with ticks, fleas, and flies. Type B is more commonly related to contaminated water in North America and Eurasia.

Type C

There is also a third type of rabbit fever, which is the least common and the least severe of the possible kinds that your pet could contract. Type C might not even show symptoms because it is so mild, or it might be confused with another kind of illness.

This condition is not a factor in Hawaii. Rabbit fever is most common in the south-central US and also in the western US. California, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Montana are common places for this bacterial infection to be seen in pet populations. In addition, dogs are much less likely to catch rabbit fever than cats. Pet owners should be aware that they can get rabbit fever from their pets and should observe care while their pet is in treatment to avoid being bitten by their pet.

Symptoms 

Tick infestation is usually a prerequisite for this infection, but it is not the only way that an animal can contract rabbit fever. If there are no ticks present, the other symptoms can be used to generate a diagnosis. The most common symptoms of this illness are:

• Stiffness in the limbs
• A lack of mobility
• Increased pulse and respiratory rate
• Diarrhea
• Frequent urination
• Cough
• Skin ulcers
• Mouth sores
• Fever
• chills
• Collapse
• Death

In mild cases, the symptoms might be less clear, and your vet might have to do some tests to confirm the diagnosis. Type C can be so mild that there are few symptoms, and many animals with Type C are not accurately diagnosed.

Causes 

This condition is caused by a bacterium. Ticks and deerflies can carry the bacteria and infect animals that they bite. The bacteria can also be present in dead animals, and if a dog chooses to eat these dead animals, they might get infected. The bacteria can also become air born and can be inhaled, leading to infection.

Pets are often exposed when they are in areas that have insects that carry the bacteria. For those who go hunting or hiking with their dogs, this can be a prime activity that can allow them to be exposed to the bacteria. Contaminated water can also be a source of contamination that can make pets sick.

Treatment 

The most common treatment for this condition is antibiotic therapy. Early treatment can make a big difference in halting the progression of the symptoms. Control can be more difficult as the disease progresses into later stages. Owners of pets who have been exposed are also usually guided in proper tick prevention for their pets and in the correct management of their pet’s environment.

Some areas of the world are more prone to these kinds of risks, and the protocols in these areas might be different than the necessary precautions that will be suggested in areas where the condition is less common. Animals that recover from this illness will have long-lasting immunity in most cases, but that does not mean that they cannot be infected again.

 Animals that have secondary symptoms that are severe might need to be hospitalized or kept at the vet for observation. Severe cases do not always have the best prognosis, and these cases will typically end up in the ICU ward at the vet. Managing the care of pets that have ended up with secondary organ problems and severe dehydration might take a couple of weeks to fully heal from their infection. Some animals will also have long-lasting health issues related to Rabbit fever infection.

VEG is Here if Your Pet Has Rabbit Fever 

If you have a dog or a cat and you live in any area where rabbit fever is common, you should take care that you and your pets do not end up getting sick with this bacterial infection. There are three types of this condition, and they are connected with varying intensity of symptoms in most cases. Be aware that you can get rabbit fever from your pet if they should bite you while they are actively infected.

Pets that might have rabbit fever should be taken to see the vet right away. Preventing the progression of this condition is important, especially if your pet has one of the more severe types. Proper tick and fly prevention can be key, and you should also be sure that your pet is not allowed to drink contaminated water or consume dead animals that might be found outside. This condition is most common in specific parts of North America, and it is also seen in Eurasia. For more information or if you would like to speak to a emergency vet, contact VEG by calling one of our locations. At every VEG location, our emergency veterinarians are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and are fully equipped to handle any situation that comes our way. We are dedicated to providing high quality emergency care to every pet that comes through our door.