Changes

==Desciption==

==Desciption==

An infectious disease of the cat caused by ''[[Mycoplasma haemofelis]]'' which until recently was known as ''Haemobartonella felis''.

An infectious disease of the cat caused by ''[[Mycoplasma haemofelis]]'' which until recently was known as ''Haemobartonella felis''.

The organism is found on the surface of [[Erythrocytes|erythrocytes]] and is considered an opportunistic infection that causes illness under predisposing causes. It is possible to be transmitted via bite wounds, biting arthropods, via blood transfusions and from a queen to her kittens. The organism causes a cyclic parasitaemia in affected cats and infected animals despite mounting an immune response will become carrers of the organism.

The organism is found on the surface of [[Erythrocytes|erythrocytes]] and is considered an opportunistic infection that causes illness under predisposing causes. It is possible to be transmitted via bite wounds, biting arthropods, via blood transfusions and from a queen to her kittens. The organism causes a cyclic parasitaemia in affected cats and infected animals despite mounting an immune response will become carriers of the organism.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

The organism is intermittently seen microscopically on the surface of red blood cells on Giemsa-stained blood smears. The organism stains blue and 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 look like rings or rods.  

It must be differentiated from Howell-Jolly bodies and other parasites. Due to the cyclic parasitaemia the organism causes, negative blood smears will not rule out the organism.

 

The organism must be differentiated from Howell-Jolly bodies and other parasites. Due to the cyclic parasitaemia the organism causes, negative blood smears will not rule out the organism.

Additionally Immunofluorescence of blood smears demonstrates the organism.

Additionally Immunofluorescence of blood smears demonstrates the organism.