Tularemia is a naturally occurring disease of wildlife, particularly rabbits, squirrels, and other rodents. It is a disease that both people and animals can get through tick and fly bites or contact with infected animals. Tularemia is rare in Minnesota; between zero and three cases are identified in people and zero to five cases are identified in animals annually.
Domestic Animals
Cats are the most commonly affected domestics animal in Minnesota, outdoor cats that hunt rabbits are at highest risk. Infected cats often have:
- high fever,
- mouth ulcers,
- depression,
- loss of appetite.
Dogs rarely show signs, but can have:
- a skin abscess at the site of infection,
- loss of appetite,
- fever.
Testing
The University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is able to perform cultures or PCR on diagnostic specimens in order to identify the bacteria Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of Tularemia.
If the animal has died:
- Performing a necropsy to obtain tissues for diagnosis is not recommended outside of a biosafety cabinet.
- Submitting the animal to the VDL for a necropsy is the best option. Be sure to mark the submission form as a Tularemia suspect.
If the animal is alive:
- Samples for culture can be submitted: Aerobic Culture Details Link
- Samples for PCR can be submitted: Francisella tularensis RT-PCR (Tularemia) Details Link
- Submit to the lab as soon as possible.
- Please keep in mind that Tularemia is a zoonotic disease and use appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and also respiratory protection if there is a risk of generating aerosols when collecting samples.
- Tests are run M-F and the turnaround time is 3 - 6 business days for culture and 1-2 business days for PCR.
- The test is charged per sample.
Additional information
- Francisella tularensis is considered a Select Agent and any positive culture test result at the VDL would be sent to the Minnesota Department of Health for confirmation. All positive results, whether culture or PCR are reported to both the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and the CDC.
- A four-fold rise in titer would indicate a recent infection.