Plague in my area

Several cats (and a few people!) in my area have been diagnosed with bubonic (black) plague! It's carried by the fleas on prarie dogs, squirrels and chipmunks, all of which are found near my house. I'm not letting my kitties outside anymore, but I still can't help but worry. I know there are vaccines for people, but does anyone know if there is for cats?

HONESTLY??

is it still common in the states?

I wouldn't say it's common, but there are a few cases now and then in the western slope of Colorado.

OMG - I didn't realize that was still around

Originally Posted by Agent_Haun

I wouldn't say it's common, but there are a few cases now and then in the western slope of Colorado.

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Heidi, you're in Colorado right? Is this true?

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/info.htm

Here's a link with general info. Sounds like there is still plague, transmitted by rat fleas. Do you treat your animals for fleas, Agemt Haun?

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/info.htm

Here's a link with general info. Sounds like there is still plague, transmitted by rat fleas. Do you treat your animals for fleas, Agemt Haun?

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Yes, every time we have the cats get their check-up.

Usually the vet check is once a year. I'm not aware of any flea treatments that last a year. Maybe call your vet and see if this is in your area of Colorado, and if they can suggest a flea treatment. Also, keep the kitties inside!

I would also suggest you flea treat your home and your cats safely. Talk to the vet about the best way to do so. Flea treatment such as frontline/advantage bought through your vet is the safest way to go. Alternate the two brands, the cats should be dosed once a month. I buy the large size dog advantage and break it down for my fourteen cats, it lasts quite awhile and saves a lot of money-

Here's another link, it is still very rare, average 10-15 cases in the US every year, and none in Australia (good news for Wellington Cats)!
http://www.responsiblewildlifemanage...nic_plague.htm

Originally Posted by hissy

I would also suggest you flea treat your home and your cats safely. Talk to the vet about the best way to do so. Flea treatment such as frontline/advantage bought through your vet is the safest way to go. Alternate the two brands, the cats should be dosed once a month. I buy the large size dog advantage and break it down for my fourteen cats, it lasts quite awhile and saves a lot of money-

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This scares me as I MAY now have 4 cats and they go out to my back yard. I have never seen a mouse, rat or squirrel but-----!

I am always kissing my babies and rubbing my head on them so how long before I can do that after application? Also I have never used any of this since, long ago my Minnie got sick from it. It is safer now?

I live in the central Valley of California - sort of a desert area where we are going to be 106 this week!

Yes, we generally get at least one outbreak of bubonic plague per year somewhere in Colorado. It's because of the prairie dog populations that just get out of control in such a short period of time, and the enviro-wackos won't let there be any type of population control done on these pests. Mother nature takes care of the overpopulation with bubonic plague. Mother nature is a harsh mistress when left to her own devices.

With cats it's real easy. Keep them inside. Dogs are harder since they don't have the litterbox option and also usually must be walked. Treat all pets with vet-prescribed flea medication and keep a close eye out for any fleas. Realize that when there are prairie dogs in the area, there will be bubonic plague occassionally. It is part of their population cycle.

I recently read a history of the Dark Ages, 12th to 15th centuries, and the plague was rampant and recurring during that time, and no one seems to be sure of what made it go away.

There was no history of the North American continent at that time, of course, but Europe was decimated, and France still has a lower population than before the onset of the plague.

Bad stuff.

Leonard.

The Navaho Reservation, in Northeastern AZ (covering the Four Corners area) gets a few cases, each year. It's mostly transmitted by prairie dog and ground squirrel fleas.

There was a case here in NYC a year or two ago, a couple who were visiting from I believe New Mexico. I believe they faired well after treatment. Everytime I hear the word plague I think of Albert Camus's classic of the same name...now there's a dark read for you.

I've seen Prairie Dog food before. I think it's pretty strange that people raise them as pets. I'm not saying that people in Colorado are keeping them as pets, but this post just reminded me of that.

I know that they can treat plague now, but it's still pretty creepy to think about outbreaks!

Originally Posted by hissy

I would also suggest you flea treat your home and your cats safely. Talk to the vet about the best way to do so. Flea treatment such as frontline/advantage bought through your vet is the safest way to go. Alternate the two brands, the cats should be dosed once a month. I buy the large size dog advantage and break it down for my fourteen cats, it lasts quite awhile and saves a lot of money-

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How do you brake that down MA? I have these 5 kittens and so far I have had to put advantage on them 2 times I have 10 cats indoors, The babies are my rescues and 2 will be going to the vet on Tues for all there spaying, testing, shots, and worming,and then the rest will go, But I need to keep them flea free and it's not very cheap with 10 lol

Originally Posted by esrgirl

I've seen Prairie Dog food before. I think it's pretty strange that people raise them as pets. I'm not saying that people in Colorado are keeping them as pets, but this post just reminded me of that.

I know that they can treat plague now, but it's still pretty creepy to think about outbreaks!

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LOL I would venture a guess that there are very, very few prairie dogs kept as pets in Colorado! They are pests around here, stricktly vermin. In my mind, keeping one of those things as a pet would be the same as keeping a sewer rat as a pet in NYC. Sure, they are kinda cute and all, but they will decimate any bit of land they are on, and all they do is expand the prairie dog towns. And they don't care if there's a house right there or not. When I was younger, we had one build a den within about 2 feet of our house! The population was out of control that year. Dad poisoned that one, and I believe the plague hit that town within a year.

Wow thanks for the info everyone. Guess you learn something new every day.

The populations get out of control because we humans keep killing off the predator species and that lets the prey species get out of hand.