Carnivores are least susceptible, and require a large infective dose, rarely develop bacteremia, and only occasionally manifest overt disease. Differential diagnosis considered in this case included infections caused by Clostridium piliforme, Salmonella spp. Francisella tularensis can be grown in culture, but the potential risk of human infection requires extra caution. The preferred diagnostic test is serology. IFA is available.
Organisms are visible on smears stained with new methylene blue.
Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study. Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study. Feline tularemia on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. Vet Med Assoc. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists are co-sponsors of the Registry of Veterinary Pathology.