My cat Ruby got Bartonella 5 or 6 years ago. It's "cat scratch" disease. It was discovered on a routine visit to the vets. Rhere were 6 teeth sitting in pools of blood and she had to have them all pulled - including one of her front fangs. I asked the vet if she'd still be able to eat dry food and the vet said she knew of cats that had NO teeth and still ate dry food. I had to give Ruby antibiotics for 21 days and she was cured! Does fine with her food. But I still wish our pets could talk and tell us when they hurt.