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{| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1"  

{| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1"  

| Also known as:

| Also known as:

| '''Hemobartonellosis'''

| '''Haemobartonellosis'''

|-  

|-  

|}

|}

==Desciption==

==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==

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 Red blood cell count.

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==

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.

[[Category:Anaemia]]

[[Category:Anaemia]]

[[Category:Cat]][[Category:To Do - Caz]]

[[Category:Cat]][[Category:To Do - Caz]]

[[Category: To Do_-_Review]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]