Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with eye inflammation cured by doxycycline for Bartonella
By Lappin, M R & Black, J C·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1999·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Bartonella spp infection as a possible cause of uveitis in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old mixed-breed cat was brought in for a swollen eye and was diagnosed with unilateral anterior uveitis, which is inflammation in the front part of the eye. Tests showed the presence of antibodies to Bartonella bacteria, suggesting an infection. The initial treatments with prednisolone and prednisone didn't help, but the uveitis cleared up quickly after the cat was given doxycycline, an antibiotic. This case indicates that Bartonella infection can cause eye problems in cats, and treating it with doxycycline can be effective.
People also search for: cat eye swelling treatment · cat uveitis causes · doxycycline for cat infection
Abstract
A 6-year-old castrated mixed-breed cat was evaluated because of unilateral anterior uveitis. The cat was seronegative for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, coronaviruses, and feline immunodeficiency virus, and antigens for FeLV p27 and Cryptococcus neoformans. Antibodies to Bartonella spp were detected in serum and aqueous humor. The antibody coefficient (C value) for IgG antibodies to Bartonella spp in the aqueous humor was 4.42; values > 1 suggest ocular production of antibodies and supports a diagnosis of ocular infection. Topical administration of prednisolone and oral administration of prednisone failed to induce a response; however, the uveitis resolved rapidly after the cat was given doxycycline orally. Clinical or laboratory evidence of immunodeficiency in this cat was not detected. Detection of a serum IgG antibody titer to Bartonella spp and ocular production of IgG antibodies to Bartonella spp, exclusion of other causes of uveitis, and response to doxycycline suggests that the cat may have had bartonellosis resulting in uveal tract inflammation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10212684/