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Why Bartonella is Dangerous for Your Pet – Your Wilmington NC Vet

2016/5/3 16:45:15

By: Iva L. Nusbaum, DVM
As a Wilmington, NC, small animal veterinarian, I have observed numerous companion animal medical situations that have involved an organism called Bartonella. This intracellular organism can hide in the blood cells of cats, dogs and even us. Wow, this sounds very disturbing. How can this occur? What signs, if any, will you or your pet have?

Cats can become infected with Bartonella via fleas, ticks, cat bites or cat scratches. Many cats contract Bartonella as kittens. Kittens might or might not develop clinical symptoms. The kittens that show symptoms can form upper respiratory signs. These signs include sneezing, coughing, ocular discharge, and fever. These symptoms can appear and remain persistent. These kittens also might have gingivitis and swollen lymph nodes.

A blood test for Feline Bartonella has to be performed with a complete blood panel to evaluate the red blood cells, and white blood cells with a chemistry panel. The kittens that are infected will ingest an oral antibiotic for an expansion of time. Follow-up testing in 6 months will confirm treatment response.

Dogs can become infected with Bartonella via fleas, ticks, cat bites and cat scratches. Though, most dogs are infected by ticks. The dogs that are showing symptoms can form shifting leg lameness, weakness and seizure activity.

A blood test for Bartonella must be performed with a complete blood panel to evaluate the red blood count and the white blood count with a chemistry panel. The dogs that are infected will receive an oral antibiotic for a period of time. Follow-up testing in 6 months will confirm treatment results.

If Bartonella is left untreated in a cat, then specific inflammatory conditions happen. These chronic conditions include sinusitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis and valvular heart disease. I have observed multiple medical cases that have been chronic. In many of these cases, once the cats start Bartonella treatment, then these pets usually get back their health status.

As a public health officer, I honestly believe that we must explain the zoonotic potential of Bartonella to all pet owners. There have been several human Bartonella cases. The most current occurred in a veterinary office manager and a veterinarian in Maryland. These recent cases took numerous years and several doctors to finally diagnose their case.

I give my patients knowledge about Bartonella. All kittens, cats and dogs can be and are tested. The Zoonotic risks are tangible. Therefore, on your next wellness visit with your pet, we reccomend you request us to include the Bartonella test.

Iva L. Nusbaum, DVM
North College Road Animal Hospital
Wilmington, NC 28405
www.wilmingtonvet.com