Introduction
In most cases symptoms of Feline Bartonellosis are very vague, and the symptoms can mimic many other types of disorders. This disease can affect multiple systems in the cat’s body, and inflammatory effects are the most common types of symptoms associated with Feline Bartonellosis.
Symptoms of Bartonellosis in Cats
As the Bartonella bacteria invade red blood cells, the symptoms may appear in multiple areas of the cat’s body all at once. The oral and digestive systems may become swollen and infected causing conditions such as gingivitis, ulcers in the mouth, stomatitis, chronic diarrhea, chronic vomiting, and lack of appetite. The respiratory systems will become inflamed as well causing conditions such as sinusitis, rhinitis, and in some cases upper respiratory disease. Inflammatory effects on the reproductive systems can cause infertility.
Feline Bartonellosis can attack the eyes as well, and cats with this disease may develop swollen eyes, weepy eyes, eye infections such as conjunctivitis, and damage to the structures within the eyes. Additional symptoms are associated with the immune system causing swollen lymph nodes throughout the body and fever. Inflammatory skin conditions causing red and swollen skin or pustules on the skin may also appear. In progressed stages, Feline Bartonellosis can begin to attack the organs causing conditions such as hepatitis and heart murmurs.
Once symptoms of Feline Bartonellosis appear, they may gradually worsen over time or suddenly become worse within a matter of days to weeks. It all depends on how the cat’s immune system and body responds to the disease.