Hi, I think bart's my worst problem right now. I have two cats, both outdoors/indoors cats. Both have been bitten by ticks, before and since my diagnosis.
One has always been sickly (rescue cat) and has been on abx a few times. He is now having bladder issues. The other is just crazy. She's also a rescue.
Anyway, had the brainstorm today that I might never get better if my cats are constantly reinfecting me with bart. The crazy one bites and scratches to have fun. The other is a licker. I read the post related to this from a few days ago but my question is different. I can't get rid of them. They've been with us 10 years. It would hurt the kids but it would absolutely destroy me.
I do not expect the vet to be helpful, but will try. What do I need to know about testing cats for bart/lyme? Are their tests better? Should I bother? If the vet will not put them on antibiotics, is there somewhere I can get them?
How long would a cat need to be treated? And maybe this is stupid, but are there probiotics for cats if I do have them on antibiotics? Is bartonella like lyme in that my cats will never be really cured, so I'll always be risking reinfection with them around (besides taking precautions mentioned in other post)? I don't think I can get the one to stop biting and scratching without warning.
Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :
Hm, I don't know very much, only that I did talk to a vet and they seemed to think the cat Bart tests are not 100% either. They mentioned Zithromax for cats that have Bart, I think.
I think it should not be too hard to get a vet to treat them. You may have to call several vets until you find one to work with you the way you like. Some may treat without the tests, if cost is a concern for you.
Can you keep them as indoor only or outdoor only from now on? Sounds like the re-infection risk is high if they are indoor/outdoor and do scratch.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Good questions!!
They have these new 'covers' that they can slip onto a cat's claws. That way the claws don't have to be removed. They even have them in different colors!! That may at least erradicate the scratching problem.
Posted by sbh93 (Member # 30429) on :
Thanks so much! I will call the vet and see what I'm in for. I'll ask about the nail covers too, at least for while the nutso one is hanging out. My husband is against keeping them indoors only because we literally have no good place to have a litterbox--open floor plan and small bathrooms. But they love to be with us too much.
Stillwater, do you think your cats are cured?
Posted by sbh93 (Member # 30429) on :
Oh, and the only reason I didn't think the vet would be helpful was she thought we were nuts when I asked her to test the dog for lyme. She said it wasn't in Florida, which really surprised me because I'd thought vets would be more in the know, so to speak.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Google the "map" of Lyme disease rates in dogs. It shows the incidence of Lyme in all states.
PS.. they put a bit of glue in the nail cover and there ya go!
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
My vet gave us zithromax for the cat. 1/4 pill for 7 days and then every other day for 42 days. I think it was 8 pills altogether. $22 at Costco. You do need a prescription. Possibly not on Internet though, I never checked.
First words out of vet's mouth: Bart is controversial.
I live in an endemic area, but as far as vets are concerned, cats don't get lyme. That's why zith and not doxy.
Good luck.
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
We were doing kitten fostering when my daughter was bedridden and our LLMD said to have a Bartonella test done on the mothers ($150) and to treat our own cats with Zith.
Keeping down the fleas is important once you have treated.
Posted by sbh93 (Member # 30429) on :
Thank you for the additional info. Lymetoo, I've seen those maps, that's why I was so shocked at the vet's reaction. Weird. She did test though; it came up negative. But I haven't asked about the cats yet. Had some unexpected stress this week so it's on next week's to-do list.
Jackie and 4Seasons, your vets gave zith for bart, but stillwater's gave doxy? I thought doxy was only for lyme.
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
I took my doggie in for her check up. Vet said you need to give her flea med and heartworm
I said does the flea med have tick prevention
he says 'no, we don't have ticks in California'
I said 'yes we do'
he said, 'well if we don't have ticks in California why would you give her the meds?'
Exasperated, 'I said, I have Lyme disease (which they knew) and I am just paranoid.'
he said 'OH, ok' and gave me the meds.
Posted by sbh93 (Member # 30429) on :
LOL, riddle that one, huh? At least he gave them to you. Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Dogs....Find proof online and send it to your vet.
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