What Is Canine Bartonellosis? Symptoms, Transmission, and Treatment

When talking about canine bartonellosis, we can't overlook such a well-known and common external parasite: fleas. These blood-feeding insects are the main transmitters of the disease known as bartonellosis in dogs.

This is a vector-borne disease. Bartonella is a bacterium that lives in red blood cells and the endothelial cells lining the inside of blood vessels and capillaries, causing a disease that can become serious. Want to know all the details?

What Is Bartonellosis?

Bartonellosis is a disease caused by Bartonella bacteria. One species stands out in particular, Bartonella henselae. It's known for being able to affect humans too. It's the cause of a condition called cat scratch fever, or cat scratch disease. Bites from dogs carrying Bartonella can also spread this disease.

It's found worldwide. Cats are the main reservoir for this species. In addition, it's mainly transmitted by the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis. This flea can also bite other animals. Although Bartonella has been found in ticks and other flea species, their role in transmission isn't clear.

How Is It Contracted?

Dogs catch it through contact with infested fleas or by accidentally ingesting the droppings they leave on their body. In theory, transmission is also possible through tick bites, skin wounds, or contact with saliva. In addition, a dog could get sick from a blood transfusion.

Symptoms of Bartonellosis in Dogs

The clinical signs Bartonella causes in dogs vary widely. Sharing symptoms with other diseases can complicate and delay diagnosis. The most common clinical picture includes the following disorders:

• Endocarditis, inflammation of the endocardium, the tissue lining the heart valves and inner chambers.
• Epistaxis, or nosebleeds.
• Neurological changes.
• Bone problems.
• Liver disorders.
• Spleen damage.

How Is Bartonellosis Diagnosed?

It's essential to see the vet. There are currently tests that can confirm or rule out Bartonella in a dog's blood. A culture can be done, and the bacteria's DNA detected.

The sample needed for these tests can be taken from blood, tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, or aqueous humor. This type of test gives us the most reliable result. On the other hand, if we only look at antibodies, the result can be misleading.

This is because the body is able to generate antibodies against Bartonella just from contact with the bacteria. This contact doesn't mean the dog has the disease — it only shows it's been exposed to it.

Is There a Treatment for Bartonellosis?

The drugs used to fight this disease manage to reduce the presence of bacteria in the blood but don't eliminate them. That's why it's recommended to give medication only to dogs with symptoms, or those living with people whose immune system is weakened or immature.

Since this is a bacterial disease, if the vet decides to treat it, they'll do so by prescribing antibiotics. Medication is usually given for extended periods, sometimes up to four weeks. Treatment should be completed even if symptoms have already gone away.

How to Prevent Bartonellosis?

Preventing bartonellosis comes down to strict control of flea infestations. We should keep in mind that the vast majority of fleas won't be on the dog, but in the environment. That's why it's important to use anti-flea products that also stop eggs from developing.

• How to eliminate fleas at home

The vet will recommend the most suitable anti-parasite product based on our dog's characteristics and living conditions. Together with them, we'll agree on a deworming schedule we should strictly follow to prevent fleas from proliferating in our environment.

Can Bartonellosis Spread to Humans?

It's been shown that many species of Bartonella are able to affect humans. This possible transmission makes it necessary to keep pets properly dewormed. Of course, any of the symptoms described above should lead us to see the vet to start treatment as soon as possible.

In homes where someone with a weakened immune system lives — such as chronically ill patients, but also the elderly or children — extra preventive measures need to be taken. Besides cat scratch disease, the presence of Bartonella in humans has also been linked to rheumatic disorders.

In recent years, vets have stressed the need to follow a proper, complete deworming schedule. This is because an increase in cases of diseases like bartonellosis has been detected in humans. In twenty years, the number of known Bartonella species has gone from a couple to more than twenty.

Bibliography Companion Vector-Borne Diseases. cvbd.org. Miró, Guadalupe. 2012. Enfermedades caninas y felinas transmitidas por pulgas. Argos nº 138. 10-12. Portal Veterinaria. 2012. Bartonella está relacionada con las enfermedades reumáticas en humanos.