Bubonic Plague
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
by Capt. Jennifer Chapman Veterinary Services, Fort
Carson, Colo.
What is plague?
Plague is a disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
The bacterium lives in the gut of the rodent flea and is
transmitted when an infected flea bites a human or animal. Plague
is common in areas harboring rodents such as prairie dogs. As our
neighborhoods expand into areas previously occupied only by
wildlife, we must learn how to live with the diseases that are
common to that wildlife and how to protect ourselves.
How is plague transmitted?
Plague is transmitted in one of several ways. Usually it is
transmitted when an infected rodent flea bites its victim.
Typically large colonies of rodents, such as prairie dogs, will
die when a plague outbreak occurs. The fleas that fed on those
rodents become hungry for any mammal that crosses their path. If
a human, or a pet dog or cat, enters this habitat, these fleas
will begin feeding and can transmit the disease in this manner.
Humans and cats are particularly susceptible to this disease. If
the pneumonic (lung) form is present in a person or a cat, the
infectious droplets from a cough can be a source of transmission.
Although dogs usually do not become ill, they can still be a
source of infection by carrying the infected fleas home, as can
cats. Yet another manner in which plague can be transmitted to
pets is if dogs or cats catch and eat infected animals.
What are the signs and symptoms of plague?
The most common form is bubonic plague, which causes swollen
lymph nodes and fever. The other forms are septicemic (blood) and
pneumonic (respiratory). The infected person may experience high
fever, chills, headache, cough and breathing difficulty. Cats
show signs similar to humans if they have pneumonic or septicemic
forms. The bubonic form in cats also causes swollen lymph nodes,
but these sometimes begin to drain to the outside. In this case,
the material coming from these lymph nodes is infectious.
What is the incubation period?
After becoming infected, the signs and symptoms of plague may
begin in two to six days.
How is plague treated?
Antibiotics are used to treat the disease in both humans and
animals. As soon as samples are collected for laboratory testing,
antibiotic therapy is instituted. If plague patients are not
treated with specific antibiotic therapy, the disease can
progress rapidly to death.
How can plague be prevented?
The following steps should be taken:
- Treat animals for fleas.
- Do not let dogs and cats roam freely where they can have
contact with infected rodents.
- Eliminate sources of food and nesting places for rodents.
- Wear insect repellant when hiking and as needed.
- Do not handle sick or dead animals.
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