Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/house-cat-colorado-bubonic-plague/
Free-roaming cats, pet and feral, face many dangers – including contracting the bubonic plague.
Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) recently issued a press release announcing a domestic cat in Evergreen, Colorado, tested positive for the bubonic plague. Health officials believe the feline became infected after an encounter with a sick rodent, most likely a rat.
“Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, and can be contracted by humans and household animals if proper precautions are not taken,” warns JCPH.
According to American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the plague is often transmitted by flea bites. “Fleas become infected by feeding on infected animals such as chipmunks, prairie dogs, rabbits, ground squirrels, rock squirrels, tree squirrels, mice and woodrats infected with the bacteria. The infected fleas then transmit the plague bacteria to humans and other mammals during the blood feeding process.”
Plague is also transmitted by the cough, bite, or blood of an infected animal. Cats are said to be more susceptible to plague, which can be deadly.
The following are signs of plague in cats:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Enlarged or abscessed lymph nodes draining the site of exposure
- Oral lesions
- Muscle soreness
- Coughing
- Hemoptysis
- Weight loss
Anyone who believes their pet may have been exposed to plague should call their vet immediately.
Human symptoms of plague include sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, nausea and extreme pain and swelling of lymph nodes.
Plague can be deadly if left untreated. “The case fatality rate for untreated bubonic plague in humans is about 50% and in cats is nearly 60%,” states AVMF. But if diagnosed early, there is a treatment.
“While plague is a serious disease, and cases of animal-borne disease in household pets is never something we like to see, it is normal and expected for some animals to contract plague in Jefferson County each year,” said Jim Rada, Director of Environmental Health Services at Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH). “The good news is that modern antibiotics are effective against plague, and as long as it is treated promptly, severe complications, illness or death can be avoided.”
Plague can be found in most countries around the world, but in the U.S. it occurs mostly in western states. AVMF claims, “Six states account for the majority of plague cases in the United States: New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon and Nevada.”
“The bottom line is people — and their pets — should avoid contact with any species of wild rodent, especially ones that are sick, dying or already dead,” Rada said. “We know that pets can be unpredictable, but there are things pet owners can do to keep their four-legged family members safe, especially when they live close to rodent populations such as prairie dog colonies.”
JCPH states that if precautions, like not letting your pet roam freely and eliminating food & shelter sources for wild animals are taken, the risk of contracting plague is extremely low.
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
