Coxiellosis/Q fever in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.

OVERVIEW: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Farm animals and pets are the main reservoirs of infection.

INFECTION: Cats become infected by ingestion or inhalation of organisms from contaminated carcases of farm animals, or tick bites. Infection is common, as shown by several serological studies.

CLINICAL SIGNS: Experimentally, fever, anorexia and lethargy have been noted. In the field, infection usually remains subclinical. Abortion might occur. C burnetii has been isolated from the placenta of aborting cats, but also from cats experiencing normal parturition.

DIAGNOSIS: Infection with C burnetii can be diagnosed by isolation of the agent or serology.

PREVENTION: Most important is the potential zoonotic risk. Cats suspected of having been exposed to C burnetii might shed organisms during parturition. Wearing gloves and a mask when attending parturient or aborting cats can minimise the risk of infection. Tick prevention is recommended.