Tuberculosis (Tubercle Bacillus) Symptoms and Treatments

Tuberculosis in cats is caused by the tubercle bacillus. there are three strains of bacilli that produce disease in humans, but only the bovine type affect the cat. Unlike dogs, the cat is resistant to infection by the human tubercle bacillus; but cats are considerably more sensitive than dogs to the bovine type.

Tuberculosis is cats usually is acquired by ingesting infected cow's milk or by eating contaminated uncooked beef. Even though there has been a steady decline in tuberculosis with pasteurization of milk and elimination of this disease from dairy herds, it has not been completely wiped out.

Bovine (cattle) tuberculosis is primarily a gastrointestinal problem. Low-grade fever with chronic wasting and loss of condition despite good care and feeding is common. Abscesses form in the intestinal lymph nodes and liver. However, lung infection does not occur. Occasionally an open wound becomes infected. leading to skin involvement with draining sinuses and a discharge containing bacteria.

Respiratory tuberculosis causes rapid labored breathing, shortness of breath and production of bloody sputum.

Recommended Treatment:
The finding of tubercle bacilli in the feces, in sputum or in drainage from a wound makes the diagnosis. A chest X-ray may be suggestive. Treatment, which involves antituberculus drugs, is difficult and prolonged. The hazard to human health makes euthanasia the wisest choice.

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