Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acute tularemia causing ulcers and depression in three cats
By Baldwin, C J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1991·Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Acute tularemia in three domestic cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Three domestic cats were diagnosed with acute tularemia, a serious infection caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. The cats showed severe symptoms including depression, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, and liver issues. Unfortunately, due to the rapid progression of the disease, there wasn't enough time to try any treatments before the cats passed away. This case highlights the importance of recognizing tularemia in cats to help prevent potential transmission to humans.
People also search for: cat tularemia symptoms · why is my cat depressed and has ulcers · treatment for cat liver disease
Abstract
Acute Francisella tularensis infection in 3 domestic cats was presumptively diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and lesions and confirmed by culturing or immunofluorescent demonstration of the organism. Clinical findings include marked signs of depression, oral/lingual ulceration, regional or generalized lymphadenomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, panleukopenia with severe toxic change of neutrophils, and hyperbilirubinemia with bilirubinuria. Lesions found at necropsy included icterus, oropharyngeal and lingual ulceration, multiple foci of necrosis in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and lung, and severe segmental or diffuse enterocolitis. Results of serologic testing for F tularensis was positive in only 1 of the 3 cats. The organism was cultured aerobically from several tissues, including aspirated bone marrow obtained before death in 1 cat. Results of an indirect fluorescent antibody test, performed on fresh and formalin-fixed tissues of all cats, were positive. Because of the severe clinical course, opportunity to evaluate therapeutic regimens was not possible. Until now, confirmed diagnosis of feline tularemia only has been made retrospectively, in instances when cats were suspected to have transmitted infection to human beings in whom the primary diagnosis was made. The findings in this report provide a basis for presumptive diagnosis that will help to minimize public health risk associated with this potentially fatal zoonotic disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1778744/