Feline Bartonella is a flea and tick borne disease that can be transmitted to your cat, and in turn to you and your family. Bartonella does not only cause Cat Scratch Disease but 21 other diseases as well.

 

How often does this occur and what are the signs?

· An average of 20% of healthy cats in the US are infected carriers.

· Symptoms in the cat include, but are not limited to: chronic gingivitis (inflammation of gum tissue), upper respiratory infections, conjunctivitis (pink eye), keratitis (dry eye), chronic diarrhea and/or vomiting, as well as swollen lymph nodes and fever of unknown origin.

· At present, the cat scratch disease bacterium Bartonella is the disease organism most often transmitted from household pets to people in the United States.

· Remember, most infected cats are healthy carriers and go unnoticed by their owners.

 

What are the dangers to me?

· The most common disease caused by Bartonella is Cat Scratch Disease. Over 22,000 cases are recorded annually, with approximately 2,000 of those cases requiring hospitalization. Antibiotics can shorten the clinical course, which lasts 6 to 8 weeks if untreated.

· Bacillary Angiomatosis (BA), a skin condition which causes red raised nodules, which could be mistaken for a skin tumor, is also associated with Bartonella infection.

· Fever of unknown origin, some eye diseases, rare neurological disorders, infectious Mononucleosis-like Syndrome, and complications of chronic Lyme Disease are a few other diseases or symptoms that may be due to Bartonella.

 

What makes my cat at risk, and how do I know if my cat has Bartonella?

· Because fleas and tick carry Bartonella, any cat can get it. Strays and rescued cats (such as those from a shelter or animal rescue) have a higher incidence of occurrence because they have more likely been exposed to flea infestations and possible ticks.

· Kittens are more likely to contract this disease, male kittens more so than females. This is thought to be in part because kittens tend to scratch and play bite more often, male kittens more frequently than females.

· Diagnosis requires a simple blood test that can be performed at your cat’s annual physical. It’s that easy!

 

What if my cat has Bartonella?

· It’s treatable!

· With a course of antibiotics (ranging from 1 to 3 or more weeks) your cat could be Bartonella free, therefore protecting you and your family.

· After the infection is cleared up (which is confirmed with a second test) an intensive flea control program should be instilled in your house, as cats can be re-infected through new flea and tick exposure after therapy.

 

 

 

*This information is from the National Veterinary Laboratory, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.