Pets..

So I've read that dogs and cats are heavy carriers of bartonella. I actually believe I got my bartonella from my pet cats fleas when I was a child, then a traumatizing moment brung out the infection. Anyways, in sure some of you are owners of cats. Aren't you a little nervous owning them if they do carry bartonella heavily? I would like to look into owning a cat but know how easy it is to get bit or scratched.

acarined said...
They get it from fleas, from what I've heard, indoor cats shouldn't be affected.

I would think they could be - they can come into your home already infected.

I've been scratched by my outdoor cat numerous times and even with all my health problems it's never made me any worse. My cat is pretty mild mannered so long as I don't antagonize her and am careful of picking her up to quickly. The only times she uses her claws is when she's trying to grab on to something.

Obviously the safest way to live life would be in a sterile bubble, but even sterility makes us sick according to the hygiene hypothesis. I don't worry about walks in the woods, cats, traveling, etc more than I need to. I just stay proactive. Treat my pets for flees and ticks. Check for ticks when I've been out. Watch for signs of an infection after a possible exposure. Remember, early treatment is key. Most people get sick because they are not even aware of these things and let it go on too long before getting treated.

Here's what the CDC says about immunocompromised people and cats. It seems reasonable to me. Except keeping the cat indoors. Your cat will decide whether he/she is an indoor/outdoor cat and if you disagree they will make your life hell. I don't think it's fair to force an animal inside either. It might be worthwhile to foster your cat first to make sure they enjoy the indoor life first before you commit to keeping them if that's a major concern for you

"Keep the cat indoors.
Avoid rough play with cats and situations in which scratches are likely. Declawing is not recommended.
Promptly wash any cat scratches or bites with soap and water.
Avoid contact with fleas.
Treat the cat with a flea control product recommended by your veterinarian.
It’s not necessary to test or treat a healthy cat for Bartonella.
If you are getting a cat, make sure it’s at least a year old, in good health, and free of fleas. Avoid stray cats and cats with flea infestations."

They can be infected at the breeding kennel, pet store, or where ever you got it.

Are there sick kids in school? - same principle.

Stuffed cats are the best and easy to care for.

Post Edited (astroman) : 8/3/2018 9:32:21 AM (GMT-6)

I'm confident that the popular notion of bart being self-limiting is circular reasoning, once doctors start testing and looking for it the cases will magically appear.

Veterinary professionals at risk of Bartonella infections

Breitschwerdt and others ultimately started their own company, Galaxy Diagnostics, to handle the work.

As word spread of Breitschwerdt’s expertise, human samples flowed in from people in veterinary medicine and beyond. He estimates that he’s tested 700 patients over the past three years. “Overall, we’re running about 31 percent positive. That’s very high,” he noted. “Very high for an organism that is not supposed to be in the blood of immunocompetent people.”

I've had cats since 2001. Didn't start having Lyme symptoms until 2009. Learned I had Lyme in 2017 and realized I'd had signs of bartonella since infancy. I'm convinced I was born with bart, if not the Lyme and ehrlichia, too.

I was not around cats before 2001 except very briefly around my teen years. I also pulled many engorged ticks out of my cats. They were indoor/outdoor cats. I've been scratched a bunch. No puncture bites though. Many flea bites, too. Surprisingly, my toxoplasma test was totally negative. I was concerned, as I clean the litter box and do not wear a mask or gloves.

The cat I still have is outside now because we're living with relatives. When we get a house, I hope to bring her inside, as she has horrible disease on her nose and ear tips that we believe is mosquito allergy. Unfortunately, she's the cat that likes to scratch and bite. She's old. She won't live forever, I don't think.

I had to weigh in. Everyone seems to be leaving out the mouse connection to cats picking Bart inside or out. Mice get bit by ticks attracted to mice nests outside. The cat's can then get it from the mice. Keep actively ahead of any mice invasions into your home.

julymorning said...
I had to weigh in. Everyone seems to be leaving out the mouse connection to cats picking Bart inside or out. Mice get bit by ticks attracted to mice nests outside. The cat's can then get it from the mice. Keep actively ahead of any mice invasions into your home.

Thank goodness we don’t have mice coming into the house - it would freak us all out - including our cat - lol