Feline TB??

[MaggotMummy]

my friend's beloved little cat has been diagnosed with suspected TB.
Her poor owner is so worried.. The possibilities of infecting the family being the biggest one, she is also worried that this is a very nervous cat and prolonged treatment at the vets will cause her enormous anxiety.

So.. Feline TB, can it cross to people? What is the treatment? Lab tests to confirm diagnosis, how long do they take .. What are the costs??
Friend is panicking and I want to be able to help her
Thank you in advance MM

I didn't want your post to go unanswered if your friend is panicked so a quick response.

I've luckily never had a cat with TB so have only been able to do some fast research. I suggest that you and your friend do the same on the web - it's an easy search. Here's a page for example:

\link{http://www.petplace.com/cats/tuberculosis-in-cats/page1.aspx\cats tb}

There are many, many other references.

Obviously, your friend's vet is the real port of call but I'm afraid that it doesn't look good. Not just in terms of transmission to humans but in terms of treatment which is not recommended (as far as I can see in any of the references) and in any case problematic and expensive. TB is the Great Survivor among diseases and has to be taken very seriously.

I'd welcome other views for you, particularly from people who have had affected cats.

Thank youcozietoesie
MN is the lazy google and in the litter tray less hysterical that the wilds of google.
I was afraid as much, know a little about bovine tb and that is never a happy ending
Thank you again

I think there's probably not. I only really know about TB in humans and there it's, sadly, an impressively sneaky and dangerous opponent.

I wish your friend courage - I think she's going to have to make that difficult decision in the near future.