Feline Infections Anaemia

Please note that this was not written by me but by my boss´ partner who is currently doing an animal healing course. i simply type the notes up for her! i thought the notes may be of interest to Petstreet members and so she kindly said i could put them on the site.

Feline Infections Anaemia

This disease occurs worldwide and is caused by a tiny parasite that lives on the surface of a cat’s red blood cells.

This parasite multiplies on the cell and causes blood cells either to rupture or be destroyed by the cat’s spleen, resulting in anaemia. A small rickettsia (1) called haemobartonella felis is responsible. It is not completely known how it spreads from cat to cat but biting insects such as fleas are responsible for some cases, and others are spread by cat bites. It is more common in young, male cats, probably due to their fighting tendencies. It can also spread from a Queen to her unborn kittens.

Symptoms

In most cases only a mild anaemia results, but these cats are prone to relapses if stressed (for example by another illness, moving house, another pet). An illness which worsens or flares up by stress is known as a latent infection *** (not sure what this word is). Infection can flare up as a result of one of these stresses to cause severe anaemia.

In approximately one third of cases the cat develops a severe anaemia without going through the latent infection stage. In these cats symptoms may include lethargy and physical depression, loss of appetite, pale gums, weight loss, a weak pulse and sometimes a fever. A swollen spleen may be detected. These symptoms take time to develop, sometimes months, as the tiny blood parasite builds up in cycles and waves. It disappears for a few days at a time, then reappears in ever increasing numbers and gradually destroying more and more red blood cells. This disease usually affects older cats. The rickettsie are smaller than most bacteria and are barely visible under the ordinary light microscope. A blood test is the most effective diagnostic tool.

Treatment

Anti-bacterial drugs from the group tetracyclines, two examples of which are Oxytetracyline and Doxycyline. Although H. Felix is not a bacteria it is susceptible to a number of antibiotics. Doxycyline is tolerated well by cats but rare side effects can include vomiting and diarrhoea. Tooth staining in young kittens is also possible. Oxytetracycline can also cause tooth staining in kittens. Side effects are uncommon but can include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and loss of appetite. Dairy products give at the same time as antibiotics can cause the antibiotic to be less effective.

Anti-biotic treatment must be for 3 – 6 weeks. Enrofloxacin can be used as an alternative but cannot be given to kittens under 8 weeks of age as it can cause erosion of joint cartilage. Because the effect of the rickettsia fluctuates, relapse is common even after an apparent cure.

Some cats develop a depressed immune system and this results in some normal red cells being destroyed. In these cases an immunosuppressant drug needs to be given in addition to the antibiotics. The most commonly used drug is Prednisolone. This will often cause an increase in appetite and thirst. Cats in general tolerate steroids, of which Prednisolone is one, very well especially for the short duration that this would be given.

The outlook for cats with H. Felix alone is very good but for those who have FIV or FeLV the outlook is poor.