Feline infectious anemia, also known as hemobartonellosis or feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis, is a parasitic disease of worldwide significance. Affected cats experience some degree of anemia, although it also causes a wide range of other clinical signs that can vary from simple depression and lethargy to fever and shock.

The causative organisms for this disease are Mycoplasma haemofilis previously called Hemobartonella felis large form and Mycoplasma haemominutum previously called Haemobartonella felis small form. They are parasites that affects the outer surface of feline red blood cells. The name of the parasite was changed after extensive study when it was determined that the parasite was genetically similar to other mycoplasma organisms.

Cats of all ages and breeds can be affected.
Feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Mycoplasma haemofelis. It causes hemolytic anemia, a type of anemia where the body destroys its own red blood cells because they "look different" to the immune system. The disease was first described in the United States in 1953.

The causative agent, Mycoplasma haemofelis, is a parasite that affects the surface of feline red blood cells. A large study performed in 1990 helped establish the prevalence of Mycoplasma haemofelis in the general cat population and identify risk factors. The prevalence of feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis was determined to be 4.9 percent in all cats. As might be expected, in healthy cats the prevalence is a bit lower (3.6 percent), while in sick cats, it's a bit higher (7.5 percent). The true prevalence of the disease may be underestimated because of the difficulty diagnosing the disorder.

Diagnosis In-depth

Definitive diagnosis of hemotropic mycoplasmosis requires the demonstration of the organism on the patient's red blood cells. Other tests are performed to help assess the general health of the patient and help characterize any secondary conditions that might have led to the disorder, and to evaluate the effects that the disease is currently exerting on the patient.

Complete blood count (CBC). This is done to assess the extent of the anemia. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells that are released from the bone marrow when certain types of anemias are present. A high reticulocyte count is expected in cases of anemia due to hemotropic mycoplasmosis, except in cases where the onset of the anemia is so rapid that the bone marrow has not had adequate time to release the reticulocytes into the circulation, or in cases where the bone marrow is depleted of red blood cell precursors due to feline leukemia virus infection.

Optimal treatment for your pet requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Follow-up can be critical, especially if your pet does not rapidly improve. Administer all prescribed medication as directed and alert your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems treating your pet.

Have your cat re-examined according to a schedule set by your veterinarian, to make sure that the red blood cell count is rising and the anemia is resolving.

The prognosis for recovery is good when hemotropic mycoplasmosis occurs as a primary problem; up to 75 percent survive the episode if a definitive diagnosis is made and therapy is instituted. Even without treatment, about 65 percent of acutely ill cats will survive. Recovered cats become carriers for an unknown duration of time, possibly throughout life. Prior exposure does not induce immunity, and recurrence of disease is theoretically possible, although this rarely happens.

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