FieldDxTularemiaClinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention in sheep, pigs and horses.
Overview
A bacterial disease affecting a very wide range of wild and domestic species, most often transmitted by tick bite. Francisella tularensis, a gram-negative coccobacillus that can survive weeks to months in a moist environment.
Clinical signs
- Sheep The incubation period has not been determined. A heavy tick infestation is usually evident.
Predisposing factors
- Tularemia is a highly contagious disease occurring principally in wild animals, but it may transmit to farm animals and cats, causing septicemia and high mortality.
Look-alikes to rule out
Treatment
Streptomycin, gentamicin, tetracyclines, and fluorochinolones are effective treatments in humans and companion animals. Oxytetracycline (10 mg/kg body weight [BW] IV or IM every 24 hours).
Drugs mentioned: Oxytetracycline Streptomycin Gentamicin, Systemic
Prevention
Refer to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on tularemia (2007) for prevention, control, and emergence management.
Source
A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER — Tularemia
A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER (Passage 75)
MSD Veterinary Manual — Tularemia in Animals (accessed 2026-08-11)
Condensed and attributed, never reproduced whole. Open the full entry in the app.