Cytauxzoonosis in Domestic Cats

Reichard, M. V., K. A. Baum, et al. (2008). "Temporal occurrence and environmental risk factors associated with cytauxzoonosis in domestic cats." Vet Parasitol 152(3-4): 314-20.

Cytauxzoonosis is caused by Cytauxzoon felis, a protozoan parasite of domestic and wild cats that is transmitted by ticks. The disease is seen in the south-central and southeastern U.S. Cytauxzoonosis is typically a severe disease in domestic cats, with fever , anorexia, anemia, and icterus. Most affected cats die within 3 weeks. This study determined the temporal occurrence and risk factors associated with C. felis infection in domestic cats in Oklahoma with a retrospective search of electronic medical records from the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. From 1995 to 2006, a total of 232 cytauxzoonosis cases were identified and analyzed. The number of cases remained constant from year to year. Diagnosis of the disease followed a bimodal pattern, with most cases diagnosed in April-June and a smaller number in August-September. In cases where a client address was known, the majority occurred in low density residential areas. Cytauxzoonosis cases were significantly associated with more wooded cover and closer proximity to natural or unmanaged areas than control sites. More cases can be expected in domestic cats living in close proximity to environments that support both ticks and bobcats.
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Related articles:
Haber, M. D., M. D. Tucker, et al. (2007). "The detection of Cytauxzoon felis in apparently healthy free-roaming cats in the USA." Vet Parasitol 146(3-4): 316-20.
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Birkenheuer, A., J. Le, et al. (2006). "Cytauxzoon felis infection in cats in the mid-Atlantic states: 34 cases (1998-2004)." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 228(4): 568-571.
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