Bartonella, A.K.A. Cat Scratch Fever: CDC emerging Infectious Diseases page

[Kritters]

Hi everyone,

According to my poll 87.5% (thanks Jo for the heads up on my percentage goof) (12 out of 14 people who participated) have pets or have been exposed to pets on a regular basis either in previous years or now. I suspect the two who entered "no" probably were exposed as well, but may have thought I meant only currently since I changed it to clarify later. If those two people are reading, please let me know.

I grew up with cats for the most part. For sure, no one had a clue regarding toxoplasmosis or even any possibility of any disease spread by contact with feces then (most still don't....how sad) I witness people coming in contact with their animals' saliva and pets ruling the home territory (cats jumping up and walking all over kitchen countertops, dogs jumping up onto furniture and SITTING on the pillows people then put under their heads, etc.) you know who you are
I developed allergies to animals at age 18.

Anyway, if you haven't participated in the poll, please do so. I'm going to bring it to the forefront again.

thanks,
Kritters

[Cindi]

Hi Kritts,

I completely agree with on the cats on the counters thing. I have had cats every since I got married 25 years ago. I try to explain all of this to my husband and he understands but at the same time rolls his eyes. I think it is the it can't happen to me theory or something. I will not even change the litter now I make him do it. I think cats being in a kitchen period is disgusting but I will never win this battle. I have wondered if I am now allergic to them because if I come into contact with there hair now I start itching. My husband brushes the cat and then comes to bed without showering. I have gotten into arguments with him over this trying to explain what they can have on their hair that is ending up on his hair and so on.

My mom keeps telling me Cindi the animals need to go. Well try telling that to everyone in my family it will never happen.


Cindi

[Kritters]

wow Cindi,
I am so awake at 2 am I can't believe it.
You are definitely between a rock and hard place. so sorry to hear. Usually, it's the man who wants to get rid of the cats.

sorry to say this, but the first thing I thought of was food poisoning.

I know, I know, everyone.....don't jump on me. Okay. the second thought is to give the cat away and pretend it got lost.

I'm serious though, Cindi....what is more important right now?

How many animals are we talking about? If there are more than the cat, then you have to have a sit down talk with your hubby.

Believe me. I know how difficult it is to convince people their animals are disease mongers. I have to deal with my daughter in law and son. In that order.

I know....MAKE IT WORTH HIS WHILE SOMEHOW
PM if you need to and we'll talk strategy.
xoKritts

[Cindi]

Me too,

I slept too late today and my clock is backwards from the time change maybe. Wait did we lose an hour or gain an hour? We have two cats and a dog. So it would be pretty hard to say they all got out. I think what I need is black and white lab results before I will get backing. I will pm you. I liked your thought at the end My friend keeps telling me I need to get a book called what came to dinner or something like that. Maybe I need to get it or some other one and leave it in the bathroom

Cindi

[Natalie]

Good day to all and thankyou for letting me talk about this. Animals are my favorite PEOPLE LOL! I love them sometimes more than my friends. I dont have a pet now because of this illness. I need to reiterate that my sisiers cats were given the sickness, not the other way round. WE humans got sick first. In the dirty house I lived at were not only birds in walls but also families of racoons and other rodents. The Bartonella site says that its not communicable through this or that but just like the CDC they dont know much, as of yet. My thought only. Yes my sisiers cats are sick now though. I have a friend who has Morg., in New Hapmpshire, she has a duck and a bunny, kitty just passed. She tested positve for Bart. but didnt have animals done or will she get rid of them. I feel so bad for her, they are her babies ya know? BUT, she must. so sad. Sorry Im going on. so anyway, I am taking emycin, that helps me. When I babysit my oldests daughters dog I shower him with flea shampoo, give him a SLIVER of emycin in some meat big drinks of water and out to the bathroom. You cant beleive the relief for this poor dog! His coat then becomes shiny again! Hes so grateful! I have to explain that my older kids, four of them, have bucked me the whole way concerning these illnesses. Its only now 10 years later, that they are getting really ill and coming forward. I have to stay away from them and there cars, homes and animals, because I get everything back.. itching, throwing up, etc. Im not a vet, not college educated, but I read and I study and I pray alot for guidance on how to handle certain situations. I have been so lonely without the hugging and the friendship of my family and there pets, but If I want to saty alive I cant be near them. They dont go to any great lenths to understand how I allergic I am to mites and all the darn infections they cause. I may as well decsribe what I have been doing for years. First I moved from that apartment, got rid of most stuff, but things I kept, wood stuff, or plastic, I could wash down a thousand times with bleach or rubbing alcohol. Bleach is best. I then have to wash clothes in Bleach or Pinesol or rubbing alcohol, and of course the detergent soap. Then I move. Now I have to wipe the car out everyday with wet sponge and any oap. Wash the walls down alot with sponge and anything I like. When I ome home I must put dirty clothes in plastic bags, then I shower with flea shampoo if its nessecary. I mean, I have been able to get rid of this, Ive proved it to myself. Ge trid of stuff, move, clean and most of all stay away from people who have it. Easy right? No not at all. So I have been on emycin, flaggyl and diflucan off and on for YEARS. NOT GOOD. I balance it out by eating as holisticlly as I can. No sugar, white flour, starches. But you cant go on like that either. We are damned if we do damned if we dont, need a balancing act to keep going. I do know how I have gotten this far without death or siucide, and it wasnt doctors, I became aware of people and family that have passed over, in death. I realize we all have angels that want to guide us so I demanded help! LOL! I get dreams that help, thats alot of how I get my big stuff. But during the days I talk to them while driving or in the shower. I dont hear audible voices, just thoughts or like remembering a dream. seiing pictures with thoughts. Im not here to brag about my gift, we ALL have this gift, were Gods babies! I share everything that helps me hoping I can help someone else. I hope I helped a little with this animal thing. Please dont just pop drugs in pets mouth. Read and talk and pray about what you can do. It costs so much to see a vet, its disgusting isnt it? Peace and love, looking forward to meeting you all. Love Natalie

[Jo]

Hello,

If people want to see what Bartonella symptoms inc. stretch marks look like, they come up on this pretty good (starts on slide 23):

http://www.hopetoheallyme.com/Documents/Reston-2005.ppt

I'm starting on Rifampicin in a couple of weeks, which is indicated for Bartonella. Jason thinks its definitely what it is killing his problems.

I don't get the Bartonella stretch marks on my back or stomach -got stretch marks on my hips instead which I've had since symptoms kicked off when I was 17.

On the cat thing. I know for sure that I gave morgs to him, not the other way round. I have thought about giving him away in the past, but then he'd spread it to the family he goes to.

I wipe down all surfaces regardless of what tricks he's up to. He's had access to the best dewormers in town - more so than me and he's VERY fastidious about keeping his coat clean.

He's my responsibility and my buddy. Whatever works for me, will work for him also when a cure is established.

- I've considered this carefully, in my situation. If I had young children, I'd have other considerations and priorities to think about I'm sure.

Life goes on

Joey xxx