Oklahoma Articles: BACK
MU researchers study tick-borne feline disease
DVM NEWSMAGAZINEApr 20, 2009
Columbia, Mo.Researchers at the University of Missouri are studying a tick-borne disease that kills housecats within three to five days after the onset of illness.
The incidence of Cytauxzoonosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Cytauxzoan felis, in domestic cats is not known, but researchers are trying to determine those numbers and eventually find a preventive. Leah Cohn, a professor and associate department chair of veterinary medicine and surgery at the school, is the lead researcher.
During the 12-day incubation period a cat may exhibit no symptoms, but then show a pale to white gum line, lethargy, jaundice, fever and then die within three to five days.
The native bobcat is known to be the original host of the organism, which then is picked up by ticks and spread to domestic cats. The disease originally was believed to exist only in parts of Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, but recently has been reported throughout the Southeast and as far northeast as Pennsylvania, researchers say.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture supported early research into the disease several years ago when it was believed the disease threatened livestock, but dropped funding when it learned only cats were affected. Cohn resumed the research three years ago, and this year received study grants from the ALSAM Foundation and WINN Feline Foundation.
A definitive diagnosis of Cytauxzoonosis is difficult because of the quick death of cats and because many owners elect to euthanize cats with the life-threatening symptoms without paying for further investigation, veterinarians say.
http://tinyurl.com/c533pd
Rainfall Boosts Tick Population in Oklahoma
Associated PressJune 14, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITYAbundant rainfall has increased the population of ticks in Oklahoma this year, meaning more people are likely to catch diseases from the bloodsucking insect.
In 2006, widespread drought and wildfires kept the tick population at one of the lowest levels in recent years, but this year more ticks are showing up in central and south-central Oklahoma, said Justin Talley, a livestock entomologist at Oklahoma State University.
"Basically, with the continued moisture, it's inevitable that we're going to have more ticks," Talley said.
Ticks are second only to mosquitoes when it comes to spreading disease to humans. Species known to be disease carriers seem to be faring well this year, Talley said.
One, the American dog tick, is doing especially well in the state's central parts. Another, the Lone Star tick, seems to be evenly distributed across Oklahoma, Talley said.
Those ticks are dangerous because of their lifestyle, which often begins on the backs of small rodents. As ticks grow, they seek larger animals such as raccoons and opossums.
Later, they seek larger animals such as dogs, deer and humans. Ticks are at that life stage about now, Talley said.
Some tick-borne illnesses, especially Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are more common in Oklahoma than in other states, while others, especially Lyme disease, are much less common, said Laurence Burnsed, director of the state Health Department's communicable disease division.
Between 2000 and 2005, the number of reported cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever rose from fewer than 40 to more than 200, according to department statistics. In 2006, the number of reported cases dropped for the first time since 1999 with only 133 reported.
Although it is too early to tell whether the number of reported cases will rise this year, Burnsed said the rise in tick population doesn't bode well. The disease typically peaks in June.
Courtesy: The Oklahoman http://www.newsok.com
© 2006 The National Lyme Disease Memorial Park Project
