Canine Tularemia Exploration by Catherine Barnette, DVM, Reviewed by Brittany Kleszynski, DVM on 07/31/2025, Published on 07/25/2024
Article Title: Understanding Canine Tularemia: Prevention, Symptoms, and Treatment
In the world we share with our beloved pets, it's essential to be aware of potential health threats they might face. One such threat is tularemia, a zoonotic infection that can affect dogs, cats, and even humans.
Prevention
Preventing tick bites is crucial in the fight against tularemia, as it is typically transmitted by ticks. A multi-layered approach to tick prevention is recommended:
- Prescription oral tick medications such as Bravecto, NexGard, or Simparica, which kill ticks shortly after biting.
- Topical treatments like Frontline Plus, which either kill or repel ticks before they bite.
- Essential oil-based repellents used daily for added protection.
- Treating dog gear and clothing with permethrin (safe for dogs but not cats).
- Maintaining yards to reduce tick habitat.
- Frequent tick checks on dogs after outdoor exposure, especially in tick-endemic areas.
Starting flea and tick prevention early in puppies is also important, and age- and weight-appropriate products should be used. Natural repellents like coconut oil and vinegar may provide some additional tick deterrence, but they are less effective than veterinary products.
Symptoms
Tularemia in dogs usually presents with fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, mouth and throat ulcers or lesions (if infected via oral exposure), respiratory signs if inhalation occurs, and a sudden onset of severe illness in some cases. Veterinarians typically diagnose based on clinical signs, history of tick exposure, and laboratory testing.
Treatment
Tularemia requires prompt antibiotic treatment, often with streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, or ciprofloxacin according to veterinary infectious disease protocols. Supportive care may be needed depending on the severity of the infection. Immediate veterinary attention is essential since tularemia can progress rapidly and may be fatal if untreated.
In Summary
Effective tick control is the best preventive measure against tularemia in dogs. Recognizing symptoms early and starting appropriate antibiotic therapy promptly are critical for successful treatment. Tularemia is often contracted through contact with infected wildlife, so it's important to avoid interactions with wild animals and keep cats indoors.
[1] Veterinary Infectious Diseases, 2020 [2] Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2018 [3] Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2015 [4] American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2012 [5] Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2008
Science plays a vital role in understanding health-and-wellness issues, including mental health. For instance, research on canine tularemia has helped establish prevention methods, identify symptoms, and determine effective treatments for this dangerous zoonotic infection in dogs. Prevention focuses on tick control, utilizing a combination of oral medications, topical treatments, essential oil-based repellents, permethrin treatments, yard maintenance, and regular tick checks. Understanding the signs of mental health issues in dogs is another crucial aspect of pet wellness, as mental health is an integral part of their overall health and well-being.
