bartonella

We have a cat who was diagnosed with Bartonella. He did eventually have to have all of his teeth removed because of the infection in his gums. He is now 8 years old and lives with 29 other inside cats. No one else has been infected.

Since fleas carry the bacteria, cats with insufficient flea control are at highest risk.

It is important to realize that an infected cat cannot transmit the infection without a claw full of flea dirt. If the fleas are removed from the infected cat, there will be no flea dirt in the coat and no risk of disease transmission. It is best to keep this cat as an inside cat and be very careful to keep your house flea free.

Will she eat canned food? If you try this method, you have to make sure she will eat every spec of the food to get all the meds required. I use as little as possible of canned food…basically a teaspoon with the meds mixed. If this isn\\\’t an option…then you must give her meds orally. Try wrapping her tightly in a towel. Another way is to scruff her and lift her up so that her feet are in the air slightly, then put the syringe to the side of her mouth. Don\\\’t put the syringe at the front of her mouth.

It\\\’s not fun with a cat that fights meds but it is very important she get her doses. Good luck!

Catsofmany is right. As for medicating your cat, I usually spread a towel on the floor and put the cat in the middle. As I pet him, I wrap the towel around him making sure it\\\’s not too tight but that his paws (and sharp claws) are inside it. Then I pick him up (as I normally would) and put the syringe to the side of his mouth. I usually give him the medicine little by little because, otherwise, he\\\’ll spit it right out. You can use the same towel method and give him the medicine on the floor or on a counter. I just prefer to pick him up so he doesn\\\’t rely on his hind legs to wiggle out of the towel. Good luck!