Understanding Bartonella – Your Wilmington NC Vet

By: Iva L. Nusbaum, DVM
As a Wilmington, NC, small animal veterinarian, I have seen many companion animal medical cases that have included an organism called Bartonella. This intracellular organism can conceal itself in the blood cells of cats, dogs and even humans. Wow, this sounds very alarming. How can this happen? What symptoms, if any, will you or your pet display?

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

A blood test for Feline Bartonella should be conducted with a complete blood panel to analyze the red blood cells, and white blood cells with a chemistry panel. The kittens that are infected will receive an oral antibiotic for an extent of time. Follow-up testing in 6 months will confirm treatment results.

Dogs can become infected with Bartonella by 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 conducted with a complete blood panel to analyze the red blood count and the white blood count with a chemistry panel. The dogs that are infected will ingest an oral antibiotic for an expansion of time. Follow-up testing in 6 months will confirm treatment response.

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 seen several medical cases that have been incessant. In most of these cases, once the cats begin Bartonella treatment, then these pets typically regain their health status.

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

I provide 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