I had my cat tested for Bartonella and it was forwarded to a lab in New Jersey. The vet who conducted the lab study called me to ask questions.
He wanted to know if I had tested POS for Bart. he also mentioned that he has been working on a study along with one of the ILADS LLMD in N.J., Dr. E.
My cat tested negative, but he did say that it is not 100% conclusive. That there was a scale of 1-10. My cat tested 3 and that was negative.
Anyway, I still wash my hands after petting our cat. I am also afraid that she might be a carrier since she awakes suddenly a lot, similar to the sudden awakedness with Bartonella.
I think I will have her treated anyway with Zith if she is to remain in my home. She doesn't scratch us.
Oddly though, since her arrival 5 years ago, my husband now has arthritic symptoms in his hands and was diagnosed with RA.
He tried 30 days of different antibiotics with two rounds. Doxy and high dose amox. Nothing. No herx.
Wondering if he might have Bart, although we had him tested, but if he has the same strain I do, I haven't tested POS either.
Anyone have a cat test POS for Bart? or suspect they may have picked up Bart from their cat? If there are these BLO's would it not be suspicious to think that the cats could be contracting them from ticks as well?
My cat does go outside to do her business, we treat the property, and she wears frontline, is not allowed in our bedrooms or to sleep with us. She is limited in where she can hang, especially now with our knowledge. In the past, years ago, she has snuck onto me when I was asleep on the couch. Even though she knew that was a no-no.
Posted by HamDune (Member # 14139) on :
I personally would not worry about the cats too much. Washing your hands post-handling him/her is wise and advisable, but I think the extra emphasis is not necessary.
Perhaps your husband has an allergy to the cat or cat dander and that is the reason for the onset of his symptoms with the arrival of the cat.
Were both you and your husband tested via FRY Laboratories for Bartonella or another means?
Posted by lalyme (Member # 8964) on :
I have Bart...tested positive and my cat did too. I know I was scratched by my cat alot and he got bart when he was little and before we rescued him. I will never know if I got it from the tic that gave me Lyme or from my cat.
Posted by Chia Pet (Member # 12399) on :
quote:Originally posted by HamDune: I personally would not worry about the cats too much. Washing your hands post-handling him/her is wise and advisable, but I think the extra emphasis is not necessary.
Perhaps your husband has an allergy to the cat or cat dander and that is the reason for the onset of his symptoms with the arrival of the cat.
Were both you and your husband tested via FRY Laboratories for Bartonella or another means?
No, neither of us has sent blood to Fry labs. When he was diagnosed with RA, we did not know about that lab. I'm going to try mine first and then if it's POS, he may be more amiable to trying it also. He did get tested at MDL Lab.
Posted by HamDune (Member # 14139) on :
quote:Originally posted by lalyme: I have Bart...tested positive and my cat did too. I know I was scratched by my cat alot and he got bart when he was little and before we rescued him. I will never know if I got it from the tic that gave me Lyme or from my cat.
Hi, lalyme. Did your LLMD suggest treating your cat? If so, what did they suggest? I had symptoms of Bartonella before I got my cat, so not too worried about it.
Of course, we need to cover all our bases.
Posted by IMHisda (Member # 6998) on :
I'm pretty sure mine came from my lap cat with diabetes (he didn't always have great feeling capability in his feet) since I got the red puffiness from the scratches. Had to give him and my other cat away (for my own sanity- not recommended by anyone really) .
Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :
I was not by our vet that cats/bartonella is not really something to worry about -- particularly not something to get rid of your cat over.
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