Introduction
Cats infected with Bartonellosis usually obtain the infection through flea and tick bites from fleas and ticks that are carrying the Bartonella bacteria. While many cats carry the bacteria without showing any symptoms, some cats infected with the bacteria can develop Feline Bartonellosis disease.
Causes of Bartonellosis in Cats
As Feline Bartonellosis is a blood borne disease, it is transferred from cat to cat most often through flea and tick bites. In some cases, mutual injuries from cat fights where blood is exchanged may also cause transmission of the disease. Fleas and ticks pick up the bacteria when they feed off an infected host, and they are not affected by the bacteria when they carry it.
Cats that are at an increased risk for developing Feline Bartonellosis include cats which are in stressful, overcrowded, environments or who have compromised immune systems. Many cats that develop Feline Bartonellosis are either very young, very old, or they have lowered immune function due to disease such as FIV or FeLV.
The Bartonella bacteria causes Bartonellosis disease by infecting red blood cells. This type of bacteria is covered in small structures called pili, and the pili help the bacteria to stick onto red blood cells and eventually enter into the inside of the cells. Once the bacteria are inside the red blood cells they reduce the function of the cells causing a variety of symptoms to develop.
Re-infection of Feline Bartonellosis through flea and tick bites can occur if the treated cat is again exposed to an environment where fleas and ticks are carrying the bacteria.