Bartonella infection is a zoonotic disease and
can be transmitted between dogs, cats, and human beings
.
Can cats get Bartonella?
Cats may also harbor Bartonella clarridgeiae and (rarely) other Bartonella species
. Cats become infected with Bartonella henselae from the bites of infected fleas or contact with infected blood; cats involved in cat fights or who have received blood transfusions are more at risk for infection.
What are the symptoms of Bartonella in cats?
- swollen lymph nodes near the site of the bite or scratch.
- fever.
- headache.
- fatigue.
- poor appetite.
- skin pustule often found at site of bite or scratch usually occurs 1 to 2 weeks before lymph nodes begin to swell.
How common is Bartonella in cats?
Once infected, most humans seem to develop some form of immunity against Bartonella. Kittens are more likely than adult cats to be infected and to pass the bacterium to people. Experts believe that
about 40% of cats carry B. henselae at some point in their lives
.
Though
they can’t share a cold or flu
, dogs and cats are at risk for transmitting parasites to one another and may share certain cat to dog diseases. Fortunately, good preventive care will minimize most of the risk.
Can dogs get sick from feral cats?
Skunks, raccoons, foxes, feral cats and pigs, and other wildlife
can also carry rabies and other diseases that can infect dogs
.
Is Bartonella contagious between cats?
Healthy cats can carry six members of the Bartonella bacteria family in their blood, which are
transmitted between cats by fleas and ticks
. The bacteria can be spread to people via cat scratches, bites, contact with fur, and probably rarely by infected fleas and ticks.
What animals carry Bartonella?
| Bartonella sp. Primary reservoir Accidental host | B. henselae Cat (Felis catus) Human, dog | B. clarridgeiae Cat Human?, dog | B. koehlerae Cat Human | B. vinsonii berkhoffii Coyote (Canis latrans), dog (C. familiaris) Human |
|---|
What happens if a cat scratches a dog?
In most cases a dog will be ok following a cat scratch, but consult your veterinarian if the wound looks infected, your dog seems unwell, or if your dog’s eye is injured
.
Can you test a cat for Bartonella?
Bartonella henselae, B. quintana, B. koehlerae and B. clarridgeiae have been isolated from the blood of cats and have been detected using molecular methods in cat fleas
.
Can cats transmit diseases through scratches?
Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection spread by cats
. The disease spreads when an infected cat licks a person’s open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of the skin.
Can Bartonella go away on its own?
henselae), is an infectious disease with symptoms that can vary from mild to severe. Although
in most patients the disease resolves spontaneously within 2-4 months without treatment
, in people with severe cases and/or patients with a suppressed immune system, such as HIV/AIDS, antibiotic treatment is recommended.
What can you catch from cats?
- Campylobacteriosis.
- Cat scratch disease.
- Cat tapeworm.
- Cryptosporidiosis.
- Giardiasis.
- Hookworm.
- Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus (MRSA)
- Rabies.
Can cats get Covid?
Pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low.
Do indoor cats carry diseases?
While living an indoor lifestyle is certainly safer overall than living outdoors, and indoor living contributes to a longer life expectancy,
important infectious diseases can find indoor cats
. Feline rhinotracheitis virus, feline calici virus, and feline panleukopenia virus make up the feline distemper complex.
There isn’t any medical reason why cats and dogs can’t share a bowl of water. In fact,
it’s completely safe for cats and dogs to share their water
. It’s just that cats are picky! In the wild, cats will hunt their food and eat it alone, it’s just the way that they are.
