Bartonella Infection in Dogs: An Emerging Vector-borne Disease

Bartonella species cause a range of clinical presentations in dogs from subclinical infection to serious systemic disease, transmitted primarily through arthropod vectors.

Key Facts

Multiple Bartonella species infect dogs, including B. vinsonii berkhoffii and B. henselae
Fleas, ticks, lice, and sandflies transmit Bartonella to dogs
Clinical presentations range from no signs to endocarditis, granulomatous disease, and neurological signs
Diagnosis is challenging - PCR, serology, and culture are all used with varying sensitivity
Bartonella is associated with blood culture-negative endocarditis in dogs
Doxycycline and azithromycin are primary treatment choices, often for 6+ weeks
Geographic distribution is expanding with vector range changes

Welfare Considerations

Bartonella infection presents welfare challenges due to its protean clinical presentation - dogs with serious disease (endocarditis, polyarthritis) suffer significantly before diagnosis because the condition mimics other diseases. The diagnostic challenge means some dogs receive inappropriate or delayed treatment. Increasing veterinary awareness, tick and flea prevention, and wider access to PCR testing improve welfare outcomes. Dogs in vector-heavy environments benefit from year-round parasite prevention.

What You Can Do

Maintain year-round flea and tick prevention in dogs in endemic areas
Check dogs for ticks after outdoor activities and remove promptly
Include Bartonella serology or PCR testing if your dog has unexplained fever, joint pain, or heart disease
Inform your vet of potential vector exposures when presenting with non-specific illness
Complete the full antibiotic course prescribed - Bartonella requires extended treatment
Follow up with echocardiography if endocarditis is suspected
Reduce tick habitat in gardens through vegetation management