Infection with the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis is a serious disease in cats, rodents, rabbits, and people.
In dogs, clinical signs of Y pestis infection are rare and have not been well documented. When clinical signs occur, they may be nonspecific, such as fever and lethargy, or may include lesions of the oral cavity or lymph nodes. Infection with Y pestis may be difficult to distinguish from other infectious diseases.
In endemic regions, Y pestis infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis when examining dogs with nonspecific fever and lethargy.