Helicobacter

Causes Ulcers in Humans, but what does it do to cats?

Physicains once believed that peptic ulcers were caused by stress. That belief persisted until scientists discovered that many ulcers result from infections caused by the spiral-shaped bacteruum Helicobacter pylori. Today, human peptic ulcers are managed by eradicating Helicobacter with antibiotics

Veterinary researchers are also interestd in this organism because member of the same bacterial genus inhabit the stomach, intestines, and sometimes the liver of many animals, including cats and dogs.

Helicobactor organisms are fairly common in cats. Studies have found the bacteria in 86 percewnt of cats from random sources, 41-60 percent of clinically heathy cats, and 57-76 percent of cats examined because they were vomiting. Actually, three species of Helicobacter have been found in the stomachs of cats; H felis and H heilmannii from feline companions, and H pylori from a group of laboratory cats.

Researcher suspect that Helicobacter are spread from one animal to another via an oral-oral and or fecal-oral route. While the actual route of infection is unclear, the source of the Helicobacter may be as close as the nearest body of water. Recent studies indentified H pylori in surface water samples taken in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Thus, the environment may be an important reservoir of infection. While H pylori, H heilmannii, and H felis have been linked to human disease, the direct transmission of Helicobacter from cat to human or human to cat has not been scientifically proven.More than 99 percent of human helicobacter-associated gastric disease involves H pylori, while H heilmannii and H felis account for the remaining 1 perecent.

Even though we don't know if Helicobacter are transmitted between humans and cats, it is advised that cat owners wash their hands after handling cats, particcularly after cleaning cat vomit or the litter box. In addition, cat owners who enjoy cuddling with their cats would be wise to avoid letting cats lick their gaces, especially around their mounths

Are chronic vomiting and gastritis possible clinical manifestations of gastric helicobacter infection in cats? Clinicians are not sure that the bacteria cause any illness at all in cats. In order for your veterinarian to find the specific cause, your cat may need to have laboratory tests of his blood and body fluids, X-rays, ultrasound examination, or even gastrointestinal endoscopy.