Bartonella in cat?

harhardf

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After 8 months of fighting intermittent flare-ups of uveitis, it looks like we MAY have found the solution.  But I would love to know if anyone has been through anything similar or has advice.   

My kitten has been experiencing idiopathic uveitis in her eyes for the last 8 months.  She has had 2 flare-ups and both have been rectified with steroids (topical once, injected the other time), and lysine, assuming it was herpes related.  But the last flare-up left the entire practice of opthamologists scratching their heads.  Then even had a round-table to discuss possible causes.  So one week ago we sedated her to run a billion tests.  The vets ultrasounded her eyes, ran bloodwork, poop smears, biometria (Im in MX and I dont know the translation of that), and a test for bartonella and toxoplasmosis. 

The vet said her eyes look fantastic with the exception of the anterior uveitis.  No damage to retina or nerves, no lesions, no ulcers, good pressure, etc.  They started her on doxicycline because bartonella was the strongest contender after looking into her eyes.  Its been 3 days on antiobiotics and my girl is finally back!

She has been feeling low for the last 8 weeks but not anymore.  (to be clear, she eats, drinks, and eliminates well.  she just wasnt flying through the air and running like a maniac).  She feels AMAZING now, and she looks great.  Running like her normal crazy self, jumping, talking, watching her birds, cuddling, etc.  

My first reaction is to say its the antibiotics because its the ONLY difference in her life.  But I just talked to the vet and they said all her tests were negative.  I told her about the cat's progress, and she said that Bartonella often tests negative but that I should continue the 20 day course of treatment (coupled with probiotics).  Anyone have a similar experience with idiopathic uveitis and bartonella?  Or a cat just randomly improving on antibiotics but without any visible infection in their body? (antibodies show no infections)
 

jennyr

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I had a similar experience, though with different parasites. My Bluebelle came to me at 5 months old with a bad eye infection that did not respond to a variety of drugs. Eventually we did a biopsy and found she had both chlamydia and mycoplasma. A combination of doxicycline topical gel and oral tablets taken for a month worked wonders. However, it did recur three weeks later and it took a second course to clear it up. She has now been clear for a month, so I am hopeful. Doxy seems to work wonders for eyes.
 
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