FAIRVIEW, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Williamson County veterinary clinic is warning cat owners about the dangers of a deadly, tick-borne disease after seeing a surge in cases over the last two weeks.
Bobcat Fever, also known as Cytauxzoonosis, is a deadly parasite transmitted to cats by the Lone Star tick, which is known to have one white dot on it. The parasite normally lives in bobcats without causing illness, however, when domestic cats are infected, they often die within 72 hours of first symptoms, which may include fever, lack of energy, decreased appetite, and yellow skin or eyes, deadly, according to Fairview Animal Clinic.
Over the last few weeks, Fairview Animal Clinic has seen nine cases of Bobcat Fever.
“We haven’t had this many cases in such a short two-week period, so I’m kind of nervous about what’s going to happen over this the rest of the summer since it’s a long tick season, and it goes all the way to the fall,” said Dr. Eric Fold, associate veterinarian at Fairview Animal Clinic.
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Dr. Simone Godwin, a relief veterinarian at Fairview Animal Clinic, said even with aggressive treatment including hospitalization, antimicrobials, and supportive care, the disease is often fatal…