Difference between revisions of "Feline Infectious Anaemia"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{review}} |
{| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1" | {| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1" | ||
| Also known as: | | Also known as: | ||
| − | | ''' | + | | '''Haemobartonellosis''' |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | == | + | ==Description== |
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 following predisposing factors. 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. | + | The organism is found on the surface of [[Erythrocytes|erythrocytes]] and is considered an opportunistic infection that causes illness following predisposing factors. 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== | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
Erythrophagocytosis may be evident and parasitised erythrocytes will become spherical. | Erythrophagocytosis may be evident and parasitised erythrocytes will become spherical. | ||
| − | 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 disease. | + | The organism must be differentiated from [[Anaemia - Introduction|Howell-Jolly bodies]] and other parasites. Due to the cyclic parasitaemia the organism causes, negative blood smears will not rule out the disease. |
| − | 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 | + | Haematology will show a decreased packed cell volume and a low red blood cell count. |
==Clinical signs== | ==Clinical signs== | ||
The peracute disease is associated with severe anaemia and immunosuppression, and can be rapidly fatal. | 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 anaemia, lethargy and weight loss. | + | Fever, anaemia, depression, weakness and [[Icterus|jaundice]] occur in the acute form. In the chronic form animals present with [[Anaemia - Introduction|anaemia]], lethargy and weight loss. |
Cyclic fever may also occur during the transient period of parasitaemia. | 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). | + | 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). |
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
| Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
A [[:Category:Transfusion Medicine|blood transfusion]] may also be required in cases of severe anaemia. | A [[:Category:Transfusion Medicine|blood transfusion]] may also be required in cases of severe anaemia. | ||
| − | As blood sucking endoparasites such as [[:Category:Fleas|Fleas]] are thought to spread disease the animal should also receive flea treatment. | + | As blood sucking endoparasites, such as [[:Category:Fleas|Fleas]], are thought to spread disease the animal should also receive flea treatment. |
Prednisolone is also advised to treat the immune mediated mechanisms and to prevent further erythrophagocytosis. | Prednisolone is also advised to treat the immune mediated mechanisms and to prevent further erythrophagocytosis. | ||
| Line 53: | Line 53: | ||
[[Category:Anaemia]] | [[Category:Anaemia]] | ||
[[Category:Cat]][[Category:To Do - Caz]] | [[Category:Cat]][[Category:To Do - Caz]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Expert_Review]] |
Revision as of 13:02, 19 August 2010
 |
This article has been peer reviewed but is awaiting expert review. If you would like to help with this, please see more information about expert reviewing. |
| Also known as: | Haemobartonellosis |
Description
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 and is considered an opportunistic infection that causes illness following predisposing factors. 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
Almost half of the cats infected have concurrent Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV).
The disease is common in roaming Tom cats 1-3 years old.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis can be made by identifying the organism 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.
Erythrophagocytosis may be evident and parasitised erythrocytes will become spherical.
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 disease.
Additionally Immunofluorescence of blood smears can demonstrate the organism.
Haematology will show a decreased packed cell volume and a low red blood cell count.
Clinical signs
The peracute disease is associated with severe anaemia and immunosuppression, and can be rapidly fatal.
Fever, anaemia, depression, weakness and jaundice occur in the acute form. In the chronic form animals present with 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 (FeLV).
Treatment
Infected cats should be treated with doxycycline for 3 weeks twice daily. Enrofloxacin is also a good treatment choice especially in refractory cases when combined with doxycycline.
A blood transfusion may also be required in cases of severe anaemia.
As blood sucking endoparasites, such as Fleas, are thought to spread disease the animal should also receive flea treatment.
Prednisolone is also advised to treat the immune mediated mechanisms and to prevent further erythrophagocytosis.
Prognosis
Varied prognosis depending on the severity of the anaemia at presentation. If not treated 1/3 of affected animals will die. Antibiotics do not clear the infection so many cats become carriers of the organism however relapses are uncommon.
References
Ettinger, S.J, Feldman, E.C. (2005) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (6th edition, volume 2)W.B. Saunders Company
Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial