Preventing Fleas on Cats

Bradbury CA, Lappin MR: Evaluation of topical application of 10% imidacloprid–1% moxidectin to prevent Bartonella henselae transmission from cat fleas, J Am Vet Med Assoc 236:869, 2010.

Bartonella henselae is the gram-negative aerobic bacilli associated with the syndrome of cat scratch disease in immunocompetent humans. Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea, is the vector for B. henselae. Infection is common in naturally exposed cats and their fleas, and >30% of cats with fleas are bacteremic. The objective of this study was to determine if monthly topical administration of a combination of 10% imidacloprid and 1 % moxidectin would lessen flea transmission of B. henselae among cats. Eighteen cats were housed in 3 groups of 6 cats. Each of the groups were placed in enclosures separated by mesh to allow fleas to pass among groups yet prevent cat-to-cat contact. The middle group of cats was inoculated with B. henselae and infection was confirmed. This group was flanked on one side by a group treated topically with 10% imidacloprid-1% moxidectin monthly for 3 months, and on the other side by an untreated group. Fleas were placed on the B. henselae infected group at periodic intervals. Blood samples were collected from all the cats weekly to detect Bartonella spp via PCR assay, bacterial culture, and serologic assay. B. henselae infection was confirmed in all untreated cats after flea exposure following the confirmed infection in the inoculated group. None of the cats treated with imidacloprid-moxidectin combination became infected. The results showed that a monthly topical administration of 10% imidacloprid-1% moxidectin reduces the flea load and thus prevented flea transmission of B. henselae to treated cats. Therefore, the likelihood of humans acquiring B. henselae infection may be lessened through monthly use of this flea control product in cats. [VT]

Related articles:
Kamrani A, Parreira VR, Greenwood J et al: The prevalence of Bartonella, hemoplasma, and Rickettsia felis infections in domestic cats and in cat fleas in Ontario, Can J Vet Res 72:411, 2008.

Breitschwerdt EB: Feline bartonellosis and cat scratch disease, Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123:167, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Bradbury CA, Lappin MR: Evaluation of topical application of 10% imidacloprid–1% moxidectin to prevent Bartonella henselae transmission from cat fleas, J Am Vet Med Assoc 236:869, 2010.

Bartonella henselae is the gram-negative aerobic bacilli associated with the syndrome of cat scratch disease in immunocompetent humans. Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea, is the vector for B. henselae. Infection is common in naturally exposed cats and their fleas, and >30% of cats with fleas are bacteremic. The objective of this study was to determine if monthly topical administration of a combination of 10% imidacloprid and 1 % moxidectin would lessen flea transmission of B. henselae among cats. Eighteen cats were housed in 3 groups of 6 cats. Each of the groups were placed in enclosures separated by mesh to allow fleas to pass among groups yet prevent cat-to-cat contact. The middle group of cats was inoculated with B. henselae and infection was confirmed. This group was flanked on one side by a group treated topically with 10% imidacloprid-1% moxidectin monthly for 3 months, and on the other side by an untreated group. Fleas were placed on the B. henselae infected group at periodic intervals. Blood samples were collected from all the cats weekly to detect Bartonella spp via PCR assay, bacterial culture, and serologic assay. B. henselae infection was confirmed in all untreated cats after flea exposure following the confirmed infection in the inoculated group. None of the cats treated with imidacloprid-moxidectin combination became infected. The results showed that a monthly topical administration of 10% imidacloprid-1% moxidectin reduces the flea load and thus prevented flea transmission of B. henselae to treated cats. Therefore, the likelihood of humans acquiring B. henselae infection may be lessened through monthly use of this flea control product in cats. [VT]

Related articles:
Kamrani A, Parreira VR, Greenwood J et al: The prevalence of Bartonella, hemoplasma, and Rickettsia felis infections in domestic cats and in cat fleas in Ontario, Can J Vet Res 72:411, 2008.

Breitschwerdt EB: Feline bartonellosis and cat scratch disease, Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123:167, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

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Cat Scratch Disease: A Review

Breitschwerdt, E. B. (2008). "Feline bartonellosis and cat scratch disease." Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123(1-2): 167-71.

Cat scratch disease (bartonellosis) is caused by various species of Bartonella, intracellular bacteria that favour red blood cells. Cats can be infected with five Bartonella species, including B. henselae and B. clarridgeae. Humans and many domestic animals, such as cattle and dogs, can also serve as chronically infected reservoir hosts for Bartonella. Many arthropod vectors, such as biting flies, fleas and ticks have been implicated in transmission of Bartonella to animals and humans. Bartonella infection can cause various problems in humans, including endocarditis, granulomatous inflammation of lymph nodes, and central nervous system dysfunction. Bartonellosis can be diagnosed in cats with serology, PCR, and culture. However, the issue is clouded by the high rate of sub-clinical infections in cats, making it very difficult to confirm bartonellosis as the cause of illness in cats. Fleas are involved in transmission from cat to cat, so the use of flea control products is critically important to decrease the risk of transmission of Bartonella among cats and to humans.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Chomel, B. B., H. J. Boulouis, et al. (2006). "Bartonella spp. in pets and effect on human health." Emerg Infect Dis 12(3): 389-94.
>> Free full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Breitschwerdt, E. B. (2008). "Feline bartonellosis and cat scratch disease." Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123(1-2): 167-71.

Cat scratch disease (bartonellosis) is caused by various species of Bartonella, intracellular bacteria that favour red blood cells. Cats can be infected with five Bartonella species, including B. henselae and B. clarridgeae. Humans and many domestic animals, such as cattle and dogs, can also serve as chronically infected reservoir hosts for Bartonella. Many arthropod vectors, such as biting flies, fleas and ticks have been implicated in transmission of Bartonella to animals and humans. Bartonella infection can cause various problems in humans, including endocarditis, granulomatous inflammation of lymph nodes, and central nervous system dysfunction. Bartonellosis can be diagnosed in cats with serology, PCR, and culture. However, the issue is clouded by the high rate of sub-clinical infections in cats, making it very difficult to confirm bartonellosis as the cause of illness in cats. Fleas are involved in transmission from cat to cat, so the use of flea control products is critically important to decrease the risk of transmission of Bartonella among cats and to humans.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Chomel, B. B., H. J. Boulouis, et al. (2006). "Bartonella spp. in pets and effect on human health." Emerg Infect Dis 12(3): 389-94.
>> Free full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More

Bartonella and Uveitis in Cats

Fontenelle, J. P., C. C. Powell, et al. (2008). "Prevalence of serum antibodies against Bartonella species in the serum of cats with or without uveitis." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 41-6.

Anterior uveitis in cats has various causes, such as trauma, immune-mediated disease, and infectious agents. Bartonella henselae has been associated with chronic uveitis in people, and has been suggested as a cause for uveitis in some cats, although the number of proven cases is actually small. Cats are the main reservoir for B. henselae, although transmission of the infection is via fleas, ticks and other biting insects. Bartonella is the most common cause of cat scratch disease in humans. The objective of this study was to compare Bartonella seroprevalence and titers in cats with uveitis, cats with non-ocular disease, and healthy cats. The data was controlled for age and risk of flea exposure based on state of origin. Results showed no difference in seroprevalence rates or magnitude of titer between cats with uveitis and cats with non-ocular diseases. Healthy cats were more likely to be seropositive than cats with uveitis. The data from this study suggests that serum antibody tests alone cannot be used to diagnose Bartonella-associated uveitis in the cat.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Lappin, M., D. Kordick, et al. (2000). "Bartonella spp antibodies and DNA in aqueous humour of cats." J Fel Med Surg 2(1): 61-68.
>> PubMed abstract

Centers for Disease Control - Healthy Pets, Healthy People:
Cat scratch disease

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Fontenelle, J. P., C. C. Powell, et al. (2008). "Prevalence of serum antibodies against Bartonella species in the serum of cats with or without uveitis." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 41-6.

Anterior uveitis in cats has various causes, such as trauma, immune-mediated disease, and infectious agents. Bartonella henselae has been associated with chronic uveitis in people, and has been suggested as a cause for uveitis in some cats, although the number of proven cases is actually small. Cats are the main reservoir for B. henselae, although transmission of the infection is via fleas, ticks and other biting insects. Bartonella is the most common cause of cat scratch disease in humans. The objective of this study was to compare Bartonella seroprevalence and titers in cats with uveitis, cats with non-ocular disease, and healthy cats. The data was controlled for age and risk of flea exposure based on state of origin. Results showed no difference in seroprevalence rates or magnitude of titer between cats with uveitis and cats with non-ocular diseases. Healthy cats were more likely to be seropositive than cats with uveitis. The data from this study suggests that serum antibody tests alone cannot be used to diagnose Bartonella-associated uveitis in the cat.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Lappin, M., D. Kordick, et al. (2000). "Bartonella spp antibodies and DNA in aqueous humour of cats." J Fel Med Surg 2(1): 61-68.
>> PubMed abstract

Centers for Disease Control - Healthy Pets, Healthy People:
Cat scratch disease

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More