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Feline Infectious Anaemia (view source)
Revision as of 11:10, 22 August 2011
, 11:10, 22 August 2011no edit summary
The disease is common in roaming Tom cats 1-3 years old.
The disease is common in roaming Tom cats 1-3 years old.
==Clinical signs==
The peracute disease is associated with severe anaemia and immunosuppression, and can be rapidly fatal.
Fever, anaemia, depression, weakness and [[Icterus|jaundice]] occur in the acute form. In the chronic form animals present with [[Regenerative and Non-Regenerative Anaemias|anaemia]], lethargy and weight loss.
Cyclic fever may also occur during the transient period of parasitaemia.
Recovery can occur with a regenerative bone marrow response, however severe anaemia may occur in the presence of [[Feline Leukaemia Virus|feline leukaemia virus]] (FeLV).
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The best diagnostic test is a PCR, which is very sensitive and enables differentiation of the different species.
The organism can also be diagnosed on blood smears.
The organism can be intermittently seen microscopically on the surface of red blood cells on Giemsa-stained blood smears. The organism stains blue and can look like rings or rods.
The organism can be intermittently seen microscopically on the surface of red blood cells on Giemsa-stained blood smears. The organism stains blue and can look like rings or rods.
Additionally [[Immunofluorescence]] of blood smears can demonstrate the organism.
Additionally [[Immunofluorescence]] of blood smears can demonstrate the organism.
Haematology will show a decreased packed cell volume and a low red blood cell count.
Haematology will show a decreased packed cell volume and a low red blood cell count. The anaemia is usually regenerative. FeLV infection is associated with macrocytosis.
The peracute disease is associated with severe anaemia and immunosuppression, and can be rapidly fatal.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==