Found out yesterday I have rapidly progressing catracts in both eyes, not the type older people get according to my eye doc. I'm 49 y/o. Only had one steroid shot in my lifetime, never on them routinely.
Comments? Articles? I did a search but couldn't find anything specifically tying TBD to early cataracts.
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
So sorry Tabby.
Bart has been known to cause cataracts in cats.
A review of bacterial pathogens in Ctenocephalides felis in New Zealand.
Author(s) Kelly PJ
Institution Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Source N Z Vet J 2004 Dec; 52(6):352-7.
Abstract
The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is the recognised vector of Bartonella henselae, B. clarridgeiae and Rickettsia felis. Although these Gram-negative bacteria were only described in the last decade, they are already known to cause a variety of diseases in people, particularly children and the immunosuppressed. Such diseases include cat-scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, endocarditis, bacteraemia, encephalopathy, neuroretinitis, osteomyelitis and peliosis hepatis.
Although most infections in cats and dogs appear to be subclinical, recent studies have provided growing evidence that the bartonellas can also cause serious problems in pets, including hepatitis, endocarditis, central nervous system (CNS) signs, lymphadenopathy, uveitis, cataracts and reproductive failure.
In 2004, DNA of B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae and R. felis was demonstrated in cat fleas from New Zealand and pets and their owners in the country are thus at risk of infection. While flea control programmes have traditionally been advocated by veterinarians to prevent pruritis and tapeworms in pets, they should now also be recommended to prevent infections with the new flea-borne bacterial pathogens.
To raise awareness of the organisms amongst veterinarians and animal health workers, this review describes: the biology of the organisms; clinical and laboratory features of infections in cats, dogs and people; diagnosis; and possible treatments and control of infections with these organisms.
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Hi Tabby,
I read on Lymeinfo.net that one of the symptoms of Lyme disease can be cataracts. I believe congenital cataracts were mentioned.
I'm trying to find that link for you.
Posted by lymster (Member # 5964) on :
Hi Tabby:
I have some eye problems, not cataracts but some color blindness, some degree of MG (myastenia gravis, sp? and sporadic doble vision. I am also on my 40"s, no family history of the mentioned problems and no answer from the medical community to what is causing these problems.
Glad to hear from you now and then, Lymster in WA
Posted by tabbytamer (Member # 3159) on :
Thanks Melanie, hshbmom, and Lymster for the info.
Just wondering if switching meds might help, but probably best not to put off the procedure.