Feline infectious anemia (FIA) is a disorder caused by a tiny red blood cell parasite, Mycoplasma haemofelis (and, less frequently, by Mycoplasma haemominutum).Infected animals develop a progressive and usually cyclic decrease in the number of healthy circulating red blood cells, which leads to weakness, inappetance, lethargy, depression, splenomegaly, weight loss, pallor, often a fluctuating fever and sometimes sudden death.FIA is caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis and, less commonly, by Mycoplasma haemominutum. These are parasitic bacterial microorganisms
“Anemia” is a general term for the reduction below normal in the number of circulating red blood cells (erythrocytes) or in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Feline infectious anemia (FIA) is a disease caused by parasitic bacterial microorganisms that attach to the surface of red blood cells, leading to potentially fatal hemolytic anemia. Cats become infected with this organism through arthropod vectors, bite wounds and blood transfusions. Infected queens can transmit the bacteria
Feline infectious anemia (FIA) is an infection by a bacterial blood parasite that latches onto the surface of feline red blood cells, triggering an auto-immune response which results in reduced numbers of healthy circulating red blood cells. Cats infected by this microorganism may be asymptomatic or may develop a number of acute and chronic signs of anemia ranging from mild to very severe. These signs often are vague and nonspecific, reflecting the existence rather than
Feline infectious anemia (FIA) is a common contagious condition seen most frequently in outdoor intact cats with poor parasite prevention protocols - especially in unneutered males prone to territorial fighting. Two types of mycoplasmal bacteria cause this infection, and their names have recently been reclassified based upon updated genetic sequencing. Both species can cause clinical disease and they can be co-infectious. Many infected cats show no clinical signs, although once infected they remain infected and
Feline infectious anemia (FIA) is caused by a bacterial blood parasite and is best treated with antibiotics, immunosuppressant drugs and aggressive supportive care. In severe cases, whole-blood transfusions may be necessary.The therapeutic goals for cats with infectious anemia are to resolve the clinical signs and restore red blood cell volume. In acute cases, affected cats may need hospitalization so that intravenous fluid replacement, blood transfusion and nutritional support are readily available. Doxycycline/tetracyclines are the current