Have you heard of Rabbit Fever?

Hey there folks. It’s me, Linda Lou, here to talk about something that I just learned about: a disease called Tularemia, otherwise known as “rabbit fever.” Tularemia can affect dogs, cats and humans, as well as a host of other domestic and wild animals.  A cat in Ramsey County was recently diagnosed with Tularemia, which is what prompted me to look into this. So let’s dive into the “who, what, and how” of this disease.

Tularemia is a disease that is caused by toxins in the blood, which are produced by a bacterium with a really long name (Francisella tularensis). The bacteria can survive for weeks or even months in a moist environment. It is found in all of the states except Hawaii, being most prevalent in the south central and western US (California, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Montana). Tularemia is most commonly carried by rabbits, squirrels, and other rodents. Unfortunately these are also the most fun animals to chase for dogs and cats. Ticks and biting flies like Deer flies can also carry the bacteria. Let’s look at how rabbit fever can be contracted.

The disease can be transmitted by several different routes. The most common way that a dog or cat can contract tularemia is by eating the tissue of an infected animal. I guess that means we shouldn’t eat what we catch. Another common way for the disease to be spread is through the bite of an infected tick, so remember to take your monthly preventative!

Signs of tularemia include onset of high fever, swollen glands, lethargy, mouth ulcers and decreased appetite. Other signs may be stiffness, stumbling, coughing, increased heart rate and breathing, and frequent urination. Cats are the most common infected species in Minnesota. A dog may have milder symptoms than a cat. A severe infection can cause collapse and death within a few hours to a few days after symptoms present. Yikes! 

Affected animals are treated with antibiotics. Timely treatment should prevent a fatal outcome, but prolonged treatment may be needed.


To help prevent exposure to tularemia, pets should use a monthly flea and tick preventative and try to reduce predatory behavior. If you find a deceased animal in your yard, remove it immediately and use protective gear like gloves and a mask (the bacteria can be spread through the air).


According to the Minnesota Department of Health, reported cases in our state range from zero to 20 in animals and zero to six in humans every year… but reports are increasing in both animals and humans. 

Please call your vet if you notice your pet experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, especially if they go outdoors and are known to chase prey. Also, be aware of any deceased animals that you come across and handle them with caution so as to avoid any exposure to yourself. Tularemia is not common, but something we should be aware of.

Later,
Linda Lou, I am never eating a rabbit, Blog Dog