I have never tested positive for coinfections but have had courses of treatment for both Bartonella and Babesia. (I personally think I still have several coinfections). Presently I'm not on any abx treatment.
The question: any opinion on whether I and/or my kids get tested for this now! Oscar,the cat, may have had this for a long time (he's 4 yrs old now) but at least for a year he's had the sx that led the new very astute vet to test him.
Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
I have a question or so:
CAN the vet test US for the Bart? IF we can't get tested with anything that is reliable, then howcome the 'lower animals' can get so easily tested? HOW accurate are their tests?
How much does the vet charge for the test? Do they have a realiable test for Babs and Lyme also?
Jim Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Here is a good site on Bartonella. I am a vet tech and I have never tested a cat for LYme or treated one for Lyme.
When I return to work I will be looking into this area.
quote:Originally posted by merrygirl: Here is a good site on Bartonella. I am a vet tech and I have never tested a cat for LYme or treated one for Lyme.
When I return to work I will be looking into this area.
Thanks Merrygirl! Let us know what you find out regarding LD in cats - I use to hear cats could not get it (LD) but now, like everything else, theory seems to be changing too!
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Your welcome. I am not sure when I am returning to work. It may be at least a month.
I have heard (only after getting Lyme myself) that cats do get Lyme.
We see so many cats that come in with a fever of unknown origin (FUO) and they are lethargic, hiding, not eating, and even limping. I bet a lot of these outdoor cats have Lyme.
I have never once heard a doc ever mention Lyme about a cat. It is a very interesting topic for me now. I hope I can make some kind of difference when I get back to work.
I also have never heard a vet say to a client whos dog tested positive that they the client COULD be at risk and they should coontact their own doc. I am sure all of the ducks will be thrilled, but at least the owners will know.
We get at least 5- 10 dogs a day that test positive in the clinic for Lyme. (this was in the winter too). I think now about the poor animals who must feel a lot worse that we can tell. I also feel bad about all of the ctas that MUST be suffering in silence with no relief.
I also feel bad now that I think about the families with babies and little kids bringing in their dogs and they test positive for Lyme. I feel like it is almost a crime..The people have no idea.
Also the technicians and staff (like myself) who are exposed to ticks on a CONSTANT basis. No one ever talks about getting Lyme. We worry about Lepto, Rabies, scabies etc. When I mentioned to my boss that we should have a vet who is also a md (they know him) come in and talk about this stuff, I got totally blown off.
Now If I could prove I was infected at work, I might be able to get more IV TX!
My doc said he would write a letter etc, but I dont see it happening. I do love where I work (most of the time). Anyway I am rambling.
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