How a Tiny Tick Killed Four Tigers

Hey Everyone!

I received an e-mail from Jen Cole the other day that contained some sad and important information from Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.  I thought I would re-post the email here so you can learn about a disease that is not only life threatening to the beautiful large cats at Turpentine Creek, but could also affect your domestic cats.

The four tigers above have all passed away from bobcat disease. Read below for more information on this terrible tick-transferred killer.  Your house cats are at risk too. Take proper precautions. From left to right: Sally (DOD 6/3/2002), Tasha (DOD 7/4/2009), TJ (DOD 7/6/2010), Tom (DOD 7/10/2010). As you can see from the date of death dates the problem is growing. Contact your local vet for more information on protecting your domestic cat. Please Help.

We Need Your Help

Ivy Cooper/Staff Biologist 

At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, we are being faced with Cytauxzoonosis or Bobcat’s Disease.  Cytauxzoonosis is a disease that is most commonly found in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, but unfortunately seems to be slowly spreading beyond these three states.  Cytauxzoonosis is caused by a blood parasite that attacks the red blood cells of the feline, originally thought only the domestic cat, but now we know it can affect Big Cats as well.  The disease is transmitted via a tick from the bobcat to a domestic cat and even Big Cats and, unfortunately, is almost always fatal.  

When the disease occurs in a bobcat, a species native to much of the United States, it's a minor illness.  The majority of bobcats recover in a short time and become hosts, or carriers, of the disease.  

Last year we contacted Dr. Leah Cohn, a professor and associate department chair of veterinary medicine and surgery at Missouri University and a leader of clinical research studying Cytauxzoonisis.  We wanted to know what we could do to help her research this disease.  In October Dr. Cohn and two of her colleagues, along with our vet, Dr. Ron Eby, came to the refuge to take blood samples from some of our cats.  One really important aspect of Dr. Cohn's research is being able to grow and study the organism, learn its biology and structure, and one day be able to develop a vaccine and better treatment for this horrible disease.  

The treatment for domestic cats is mostly supportive therapies which include crystalliod fluids, prophylactic heparin, nutritional and nursing care, analgesia, and transfusions.  These treatment options are very difficult and almost impossible  to administer to a Big Cat; which makes treating this disease in Big Cats even more of a challenge.  

We are always looking for ways to improve the refuge and the lives of our cats; one way to help us better care for our cats is to renovate our current perimeter fence.  We must have a perimeter fence that no small animals such as feral cats, opossums or raccoons can get through.  We keep the grass cut and we also tick dust to keep the ticks and other bugs down, but we need to prevent other animals from bringing ticks into the habitat field and possibly infecting our cats.  

Like all projects at the refuge, we need our supporters to make this possible. We have received three bids to build the perimeter fence and the best bid so far is $50,000.  We know that this is a huge chunk of money during these difficult economic times but this project must be completed quickly.  While we raise the money to build the new, impenetrable fence we cannot allow the cats to enjoy the freedom of their habitats and be subjected to a deadly disease.  All of you have worked with us for the past  10 years to build habitats which provide a high quality of life for our furry friends.  They deserve it! 

Those of you who are able, please, help us, help them. Call, email, or stop by with your contribution.  There are many cats waiting in the “wings” who need saving.  The future of all the cats living in people’s backyards, basements, and garages, along with those suffering in filth and disgusting conditions, need all of us to continue with the Turpentine Creek mission... “To provide lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused, and neglected Big Cats.”  A tenth of a gram tick killed these beautiful creatures. Help us put an end to this desperate situation.

To donate to this desperately needed project:

Call: 479-253-5841

Email: tigers@turpentinecreek.org

Donate Online: Click Here

Send Via USPS: 239 Turpentine Creek Lane

                           Eureka Springs, AR. 72632

Stop by The Refuge With Cash, Check or Money Order...