How Rabbit Fever affects both Pets and Humans

11 months ago (Edited)

Rabbit fever is common amongst rabbits, hares, and other rodents, but it can also impact animals both domestic and wild, and even humans.

It is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, creating toxins in the blood of the host. The bacteria survives well in the body of the host through the creation of tumor-like lumps in the liver.

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It is possible for dogs to contact the disease through, the inhaling of aerosolized bacteria, skin-to-skin contact, getting bitten by an infected insect like ticks, mosquito, or fleas.

Ingesting an already infected animal like rodent, hare, or rabbit. It is possible for dogs to contact tularemia more during summer periods that is when deer fly and tick population begins to surge.

Several dogs can get infected with the bacteria causing rabbit fever, but most healthy pups can easily fight off microbial invader and could only poise mild symptoms.

A dog with a more compromised immune system on the other hand, can develop a much more serious condition . Some of the symptoms that would be experienced are; sudden high fever, enlarged spleen or fever, loss of appetite , abdominal pain, white patches on the tongue, dehydration, jaundice, skin ulcers, and throat infection.

Tularemia can easily be treated with antibiotics, affected dogs may require supportive care . Surgically, abscess can be removed too.

Even if tularemia is not so commonly found, it can also be dangerous to your pets, and just like we always say here, prevention is better than cure. It is best to always look for ways to make prevention possible.

Preventing tularemia means you will be preventing every form of exposure to Francisella organisms. The control of ticks, deer flies, and other biting insects that could be carriers of the organism. The use of insects repellants, tick and fleas preventives would make this happen.

Your animals should also be regularly checked for ticks and removed gently with a fine-tipped tweezer. It is advisable that animals are kept away from wild animals either they are alive or dead. Ensure that, whatever you are feeding your pet has been properly cooked.

Their water also has to be from a trusted source, they shouldn't be given water from an untreated water surface. If your pet has been diagnosed with tularemia and is being treated with antibiotics, it is important that the antibiotics is administered in full dose for the bacteria to be fought with effectively.

Tularemia as well has a serious zoonotic potential which means humans are not left out of the possible risk of infection. It is possible for humans to get infected after exposure to tick bites and consumption of contaminated water.

Bacteria ingestion in humans would create blisters on the skin few days after contact, the blister then later ulcerate's after 2-4 days, and enters into the lymph system spreading fast to other parts of the body.