Feline Infectious Anaemia

• Caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis (until recently, known as Haemobartonella felis)
• Organism found on surface of erythrocytes
• Common in roaming tom-cats of 1-3 years old
• Possibly transmitted via bite wounds or arthropods
• Recoverd cats become carriers

Clinical signs

• 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
• Anaemia, lethargy and weight loss occur in the chronic form
• Recovery can occur with a regenerative bone marrow response
• Severe feline infectious anaemia may occur in the presence of feline leukaemia virus

Diagnosis

• Organism intermittently seen on the surface of red blood cells in Giemsa-stained blood smears
• Immunofluorescence of blood smears
• Reduced packed cell volume; regenerative anaemia

Treatment

• Doxycycline for 3 weeks early in the course of the disease
• Blood transfusion
• Flea control