Mycoplasma haemofelis



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

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