Bartonella Infection In Dogs: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

(Photo credit: Antonio_Diaz/Getty Images)

Bartonella infection is a disease spread to dogs through insects, including lice, fleas and ticks. It is a relative emerging disease which can also be transmitted to cats and humans, with cases of the latter often being known as cat scratch disease.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

stories inspiring more

Want more inspiring stories like this? *

Enter your email below to stay updated!

Submit

Because of the way the infection spreads, dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors and in tick-infested environments generally have the highest risk of infection.

If you see any signs that your dog may have an infection, see your vet for a proper diagnosis and course of treatment. Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of a Bartonella infection in dogs.

Symptoms Of Bartonella Infection In Dogs

Bartonella infection in dogs can lead to a range of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Fever
• Inflamed eyes, nose and lymph nodes
• act weak
• Nosebleeds and discharge
• Diarrhea
• cough
• vomit

Causes of Bartonella Infection in Dogs

(Image credit: Aitor Diago/Getty Images)

Bartonella infection in dogs often spreads through insects, including ticks, fleas, lice and sand flies.

Dogs that spend time in outdoor situations in rural areas are more likely to contract the infection, especially hunting and working dogs.

Veterinary Treatments

If you suspect your dog has a Bartonella Infection, your vet will perform a complete physical examination. They will order a complete set of lab tests, including blood and urine analysis.

Non-typical levels of liver enzymes often indicate a possible infection.

When it comes to treatment, vets often prescribe antibiotics to cure the disease; although at the time of writing there is no accepted antibiotic that has been definitively shown to be effective against the infection.

Some of the medications vets have tried to fight the infection include amoxicillin, doxycycline, and enrofloxacin.

In general, the best way to protect your dog from an infection is to limit access to areas that can harbor insects such as ticks and fleas.

In addition, if a human is bitten by a dog that has tested positive for the infection, they should see a doctor immediately.

Has your dog ever contracted a Bartonella infection? How did they recover? Tell us all about it in the comments below.