Feline Plague

Feline plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis), is a matter of great concern to pet owners and veterinary researchers. After infection with Y. pestis, the mammalian host manifests one of the symptoms of bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic. In felines, symptoms of bubonic plague usually appear. BioVenic is committed to understanding the signs and symptoms of feline plague, implementing accurate diagnosis, providing effective treatment, and taking preventive measures to safeguard the health of cats.

Causes of Feline Plague

Y. pestis is a bacterium known for its devastating effects on various animal species, including humans. It is a gram-negative bacterium belonging to the family Yersiniaceae and the genus Yersinia. Rodent fleas play a key role in the transmission cycle, acting as vectors that carry bacteria from infected animals to susceptible hosts. Felines are infected with the plague mainly through the following routes:

• Bitten by a rodent flea infected with Y. pestis.
• Touch or eat rodents infected with Y. pestis.
• Roaming in plague-endemic areas.

Fig. 1 Flea carrying Yersinia pestis.¹

Signs and Symptoms of Feline Plague

Common clinical manifestations of feline plague include fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), loss of appetite (anorexia), and respiratory distress. However, the symptoms of different plague types are different, and the symptoms and characteristics of different plague types are listed below.

• Bubonic plague: Swollen lymph nodes, abscesses, or skin lesions.
• Septicemic plague: Tachycardia.
• Pneumonic plague: Coughing, sneezing, noise in the lungs.

Diagnosis of Feline Plague

Accurate diagnosis of feline plague requires a combination of clinical examination, laboratory tests, and sample analysis. Laboratory tests, including blood tests and imaging techniques, can provide valuable insight into a cat's condition. BioVenic provides customers with comprehensive feline plague diagnostics solutions, covering immunodiagnostics and molecular diagnostics.

• Samples
  
  • Blood, liver/spleen/lymph node/lung tissue, etc.
• Diagnostics Techniques
  
  • Gram staining microscopy
  • Bacterial culture identification
  • PCR
  • ELISA, etc.

Treatment of Feline Plague

Prompt treatment is essential to improve the prognosis of cats affected by the plague.

• Antibiotic Treatment

Antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for feline plague, with drugs such as streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and fluoroquinolones commonly prescribed. These antibiotics help eliminate the Y. pestis bacteria from the cat's system, combating the infection and reducing its severity.

• Supportive Therapy

In addition to antibiotics, supportive care is crucial for the cat's recovery. This may include fluid therapy to maintain hydration, nutritional support to ensure adequate nourishment, and pain management as necessary. Close monitoring of the cat's condition throughout the treatment process is vital to ensure a positive outcome.

Prevention of Feline Plague

Preventing feline plague primarily revolves around minimizing the risk of exposure to Y. pestis and its vectors.

• Implementing effective flea control measures, such as regular use of flea preventive products, can significantly reduce the likelihood of flea-borne transmission.
• Additionally, keeping cats indoors helps limit their contact with potentially infected animals, including rodents.
• Educating cat owners about the risks associated with plague and guiding preventive strategies is paramount.
• In certain regions with a high prevalence of plague, vaccination against Y. pestis may be recommended to enhance the cat's immunity and reduce the risk of infection. However, a specific vaccine for feline plague is not widely available at present.

BioVenic's ongoing research and efforts are focused on helping customers advance diagnostics development, as well as developing vaccines and drugs specifically for feline plague. Our research work is critical to combating the feline plague and ensuring the well-being of felines around the world. If you want to be our partner, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

1. Hinnebusch, B., et al. "Molecular and genetic mechanisms that mediate transmission of Yersinia pestis by fleas." Biomolecules 11.2 (2021): 210.