"Pet owners cannot get Lyme disease directly from their pets; it is only transmitted by the ticks which remain in vegetation between meals."
Posts: 819 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2009
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
But... if your cat goes outside and a tick hitches a ride into the house, you can end up with Lyme that way.
Also - another name for one strain of bartonella is cat scratch fever... guess why? So... you could get bart from your cat, or toxoplasmosis.
And if you already have Lyme, and thus have taken a hit to your immune system - your likelihood of contracting bart or toxo would be higher.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
So, should I get rid of the cats if I am positive for Bartonella? They are inside cats.
Posts: 10 | From Miami, Florida | Registered: Apr 2010
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
No, you do not need to get rid of your pets just because you are sick. You cannot pass bartonella on to your cats.
If you keep your pets inside they will not bring in any bugs(fleas or ticks).
Cats also live longer if you keep them inside. They can easily get injured, sick, and lost when they are allowed out.
If you are worried about your cats giving you bartonella, you can have them tested and treated if necessary. You can also cut their nails so they can't scratch you accidentally.
If you have the energy and resources to continue taking care of your pets you should keep them. They are great stress reducers. They provide comfort and countless hours of entertainment.
I love my pets. Life would be much harder and emptier without them.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
I second Sammy. I have two indoor cats. Not worried about the bartonella thing.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I have two indoor kitties who are nearly nineteen years old! They give me lots of comfort dealing with this crappy disease.
-------------------- dx: MS in 1998 2007 - Lyme suspected 2009 - Positive Lyme, MS worse. Now: Copaxone shots for MS gall bladder out 7/09 Ceftin, Zith, Septra LDN Acyclovir Monolaurin, DHEA, Pregnonelon, Curcumin Posts: 243 | From New Mexico | Registered: Feb 2007
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
Can you get cat scratch fever from adult cats?
I cat sat for two kitties and was scratched by one of them.
I got a typical bart rash in December which was over a year after being scratched.
I'm wondering if the bart was dormant that long or even longer since when I got lyme in 1992.
And I've forgotten if bart is different from cat scratch fever. I think cat scratch fever is self-limiting and goes away without treatment.
Posts: 1302 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Just don't let your cat kiss you on the mouth, regardless. Their tongues serve many purposes and your mouth should not be involved in transmission of whatever their mouths pick up in their grooming process. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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