Tularemia, more commonly known as "Rabbit Fever", is commonly found in rodents and rabbits. It is caused by a bacteria, Bacterium Tularense, named after Tulane County, Calif. where it was first described in 1912.

Tularemia has been found in rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, beavers, possums, fox, coyotes, and cats. It is known to pass from one animal to another by way of deer flies, wood and dog ticks, house flies, mosquitoes and gnats, with an occasional transmission being known to originate from dust found in hay carrying these insects.

Tularemia enters the body through abrasions and cuts, such as chapped skin. The entry point becomes inflamed and red, much like a spider bite, and the victim suffers from fever, chills, vomiting and headaches. Nearby lymph nodes in the neck, groin and armpits swell an become tender.

If treated, recovery from "rabbit fever" can take as long as three to six months and involve extensive regiments of antibiotics. As many as 5-7% of all tularemia cases are fatal.

Larry C. Reese
Wildlife Artistry Taxidermy