05/18/2026
Please be aware and keep your pets inside and treated.
‼️Public Service Announcement for cat owners‼️
We have been seeing info about Bobcat Fever in other parts of Arkansas, but we just learned someone we know in the Jonesboro area has now lost their beloved cat to this terrible disease....so it is here too. We want to make sure you are aware & prepared.
Bobcat fever (also called cytauxzoonosis) is a deadly tick-borne disease that affects domestic cats. It is carried by wild bobcats and spread when an infected tick (often the Lone Star tick) bites your cat. There is no vaccine, and without fast treatment, it can be fatal in just a few days.
Key signs to watch for:
- Sudden loss of energy or hiding more than usual
- Not wanting to eat or drink
- High fever
- Pale or yellow gums, yellowing of eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Fast breathing, weakness, or just not acting normal
If you see any of these signs, especially during tick season, treat it as an emergency and call your vet immediately. Early treatment is the only chance for survival.
How it’s transmitted:
- Bobcats act as natural carriers of the parasite.
- A tick feeds on an infected bobcat, then bites a domestic cat and passes on the infection.
- Cats do not give bobcat fever directly to each other; it’s all through tick bites.
How to help prevent bobcat fever:
- Keep cats indoors as much as possible, especially in wooded or rural areas.
- Use year-round, vet-recommended tick prevention for all cats (and dogs in the home).
- Check your cats daily for ticks, especially March–September.
- Keep grass mowed, clear brush/leaf litter, and treat high-risk outdoor areas for ticks.
Please do your best to keep your feline friends safe!
