Affects, Cats, Dogs, Horses, Humans. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bartonella are bacteria that live primarily inside the lining of the blood vessels. They can infect humans, mammals and a wide range of wild animals. The disease that results is called bartonellosis.

Bartonella henselae causes an important emerging infection that was first reported in 1990. It is mainly carried by cats and causes cat-scratch disease, endocarditis, and several other serious diseases in humans.

Bartonella bacteria are known to be carried by fleas, body lice and ticks, and there’s high suspicion that ticks transmit it to humans. People with tick bites and no known exposure to cats have acquired the disease. People who recall being bitten by ticks have been co-infected with the Lyme spirochete and bartonella.

IN HORSES

"Hemo bartonella" in the context of horses refers to a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Bartonella, which can affect the blood and lymphatic vessels. While some infections may be asymptomatic, bartonellosis in horses can manifest in a variety of ways, including unexplained shortened stride length, enlarged lymph nodes, and other symptoms. The infection can be transmitted through biting insect vectors like flies, mosquitos, ticks, and fleas.

Symptoms:

Unexplained shortened stride length: This may be one of the first noticeable symptoms, possibly due to the infection's effect on blood vessels in the shoulder and groin areas. Enlarged lymph nodes: Bartonella infections can cause lymph nodes to swell. Muscle cramps or spasms: The bacteria can trigger muscle issues. Sensitivity to grooming: Some horses may be more sensitive to touch. Reluctance to bear weight: The infection can cause pain or discomfort, leading to reluctance to move.

Other potential symptoms: Back and body soreness, topline atrophy, sacroiliac problems, poor exercise tolerance, arthritis, cellulitis, respiratory problems, hypersensitivity, and more.

Transmission:

Biting insect vectors: Flies, mosquitos, ticks, and other biting insects can transmit Bartonella to horses.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IN CATS, Better known as feline infectious anemia, hemobartonellosis can affect any cat exposed to fleas or ticks. Exposure might not bother a healthy cat, but cats with weak immune systems or suffering from serious diseases can become very sick or die.

Hemobartonellosis is caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma haemofelis. This parasite invades and destroys Kitty's red blood cells. Cats can pick up the organism through flea, tick or mosquito bites, cat fights or any situation where there's an exchange of blood from an infected carrier. It takes approximately a month from the time of exposure until Kitty comes down with any noticeable symptoms. While any cat can potentially come down with the disease, it most often strikes unneutered male cats who roam outdoors.

Symptoms

Cats with mild cases of hemobartonellosis might not show any symptoms. In more severely afflicted cats, or those who also suffer from feline leukemia, symptoms of feline infectious anemia include appetite loss, lethargy, rapid heartbeat and breathing, along with sensitivity to touch due to body tenderness. Cats might exhibit jaundice, or pale or yellow mucous membranes. Some cats might run a high fever. That's actually good news, because the temperature of dying anemic cats drops sharply. Badly affected cats might also go into shock.

Treatment

Diagnosing hemobartonellis in cats isn't easy, especially right after exposure. Your vet needs the results of Kitty's complete blood count, along with his feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus status. If your vet diagnoses feline infectious anemia, she might prescribe antibiotics or the steroid prednisone. If Kitty's anemia is severe, he might require a blood transfusion. Most cats recover with treatment, but remain carriers for the rest of their lives. That also means that stressful events -- such as moving, new people or pets in the household, or anything that disturbs Kitty -- can bring on a recurrence. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, approximately one-third of cats seriously affected by hemobartonellosis will die without veterinary treatment.

Prevention

The best way to prevent Kitty from coming down from feline infectious anemia is by keeping him indoors and using topical monthly flea and tick preventives on him. Not only does making him an inside cat protect him from hemobartonellosis, but he also won't be exposed to other harmful viruses from other felines or wildlife. Make sure to feed him a healthy diet to keep his immune system strong. Take him to the vet for annual check-ups.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IN DOGS

Haemobartonellosis, also known as hemotrophic mycoplasmosis, is a parasitic blood infection in dogs caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma haemocanis. It is transmitted primarily by ticks and fleas. The parasite attaches to red blood cells, causing them to be destroyed, which can lead to anemia. While many dogs may be asymptomatic carriers, severe cases can cause lethargy, pale gums, and even death, particularly in splenectomized or immunosuppressed dogs.

Key points about Haemobartonellosis:
Cause: Mycoplasma haemocanis bacteria.
Transmission: Primarily by ticks and fleas.
Symptoms: Lethargy, pale gums, and in some cases, anemia.
Severity: More severe in splenectomized or immunocompromised dogs.
Treatment: Antibiotics may be used, but effectiveness can be variable.
Prevention: Tick and flea control is crucial.