Fatal disease showing up in more house cats in NE Georgia

ATHENS - Veterinarians are warning pet owners that a deadly disease has afflicted a number of house cats in northeast Georgia.<br> <br> About 20 cases of cytauxzoonosis, a tick-transmitted parasitic disease that destroys a cat&#39;s red blood cells, have popped up in the area since March, said Doris Miller, director of Athens Diagnostic Lab.<br> <br> Veterinarian Kourtney Morrissette said those numbers were alarming because only a handful of cases usually show up each year.<br> <br> The disease, transmitted from wild bobcats to domestic cats, kills the majority of domestic cats it infects within days, while bobcats can carry the parasite with no ill effect. Symptoms include jaundice, high fever, lethargy and rapid weight loss.<br> <br> Experts say the rise in cases may be attributed to more ticks or more bobcats in the area.<br> <br> While there&#39;s no vaccination for the disease, it can be treated and cured if caught in the early stages. Veterinarians suggest using a strong topical anti-flea and anti-tick agent to prevent tick bites.