With the beginning of spring and warm weather after hibernation, ticks wake up. Having warmed up a little in the sun, they begin to search for a victim - a warm-blooded animal. From bites of parasites both people and pets suffer. However, the tick bite itself is not dangerous, it is not poisonous, but together with saliva, the blood-sucking parasite can transmit various pathogens of the disease. So, for example, pyroplasmosis occurs in cats.
What is pyroplasmosis?
Pyroplasmosis in cats is a very serious acute (or chronic) invasive disease. It is caused by the simplest microorganism Babesia felis. But not every type of tick is dangerous. The carrier of the disease are only ixodid ticks Dermacentor pictus, Dermacentor marginatus and some other species.
In nature, ixodid ticks live on small rodents: mice, rats, voles.
For a long time it was believed that cats are not susceptible to this disease, however, modern studies have shown that cats suffer from pyroplasmosis, but much less often than dogs.
The first peak of the disease occurs in early spring and the beginning of summer (from April to June), the second - in the fall (from September to October). But there are cases of infection in the middle of summer.
What happens after a bite?
After a bite of an ixodic tick, pyroplasma penetrates the blood. Then they are introduced into red blood cells, red blood cells and begin active reproduction. Since red cells are responsible for the transfer of oxygen, after their destruction, oxygen starvation of the body occurs. Also, the body simply does not have time to process and remove a huge amount of hemoglobin in the blood. As a result of this, bilirubin is forming, a very toxic decomposition product of hemoglobin. Its accumulation in the blood leads to poisoning of the body, damage to the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Since this happens quite quickly, an adult animal may fall into a coma within a few days after infection.
Symptoms of the disease
Pyroplasmosis in cats penetrates very hard. Symptoms that accompany the disease appear within a few (3 to 7) days after the bite of an ixodid tick. The cat becomes lethargic, lethargic, refuses to feed. The temperature rises, breathing becomes frequent and troubled, the mucous membrane of the mouth becomes yellowish. During a fever, the temperature can reach 41 degrees. The urine becomes brown or coffee in color, the mucous membrane of the eyelids fades or turns blue. Possible diarrhea, vomiting.
In an over-acute course of the disease, the animal may die in 2-3 days. However, pyroplasmosis has the property of becoming chronic. In this case, the clinical signs are mild, worn out. There is a slight temperature, lethargy, general weakness, pale mucous membranes, vomiting, loose stools.
Establishing diagnosis
A veterinarian diagnoses piroplasmosis in cats. First, an animal is examined to detect ticks on the body. After which laboratory tests are prescribed. The most reliable and informative is the detection of pyroplasma in a blood smear.
Moreover, the study is repeated several times to obtain a 100% result. In addition, urine tests are given.
Treatment of pyroplasmosis
The treatment of the disease is a very long and complicated process, which can only be prescribed by a qualified doctor. In treatment, there are two directions. Firstly, the destruction of pyroplasmas in the animal’s body, and secondly, the removal of intoxication as a result of their vital activity. As a rule, vitamins, medicines for the heart and maintenance of liver functions are used.
As an exterminator of the parasite, an anti-malarial drug is used, which, despite its effectiveness, also has a lot of side effects, which further weakens the exhausted cat's body. It is also possible the appointment of "Doxycycline", "Gamavita." The latter supports the immune system, normalizes the blood picture, reduces the level of toxic substances in the blood.
Disease prevention
The main preventive measures are the treatment of animals with acaricides and the prevention of bites of ixodid ticks. Preparations can be in the form of a spray (begin to act immediately after treatment) and in the form of drops on the withers (it takes a day to activate). Protective shampoos and acaricidal collars will also help prevent pyroplasmosis in cats.
Do not let the cat walk in an unfamiliar place or forest, after a walk, carefully inspect the animal - it is hard to see ticks under thick hair.
In addition, there are vaccines for pyroplasmosis, but their effectiveness has not yet been proven reliably.
So, modern scientists were able to get the answer to the question: "Do cats have pyroplasmosis?" Unfortunately, this answer is yes. Therefore, in the period of tick activation, owners of cats should pay great attention to the prevention of this serious disease, the outcome of which can be fatal.