Cytauxzoon felis is a tick-borne protozoan that causes a rapidly progressive, often fatal illness in domestic cats. It is nicknamed bobcat fever because the bobcat is the natural reservoir. It is a favorite exam topic because the history (outdoor cat, spring or summer, lone star tick area), the high fever and the treatment pair are all distinctive.
Key facts
Cytauxzoonosis at a glance- Species and system: cat; multisystemic (blood, vessels, liver, spleen, lungs).
- Cause: Cytauxzoon felis, an apicomplexan parasite; the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is the main vector. The American dog tick transmitted it experimentally and is a less effective vector.
- Reservoir: bobcats (Lynx rufus), usually subclinical with chronic parasitemia; the domestic cat is considered an aberrant host.
- Season and risk: usually diagnosed April through September; highest risk for cats near wooded, unmanaged habitat.
- Classic presentation: depression, anorexia, fever, dehydration and rapid decline about 5 to 14 days after the tick bite.
- Treatment: atovaquone plus azithromycin with intensive supportive care.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Working up a suspect case
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 4 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.