Introduction
Feline infectious anemia is treated through antibiotic therapies and medications which help to suppress the immune system. In cases where severe anemia has occurred, blood transfusions may be needed.
Treating Feline Infectious Anemia
Antibiotics used to treat feline infectious anemia target the type of mycoplasma bacteria that are causing the condition. Doxycycline is the most common antibiotic used to treat feline infectious anemia because it can be administered as a liquid, but oxytetracycline and tetracycline may be used as well in tablet form. A 3 week course of the antibiotics are needed to control the bacteria in the blood. It should be noted that antibiotics will not cure feline infectious anemia, but they will reduce the number of parasites in the blood to the point where the cat is not affected by them.
As feline infectious anemia causes the cat’s immune system to remove the red blood cells that are ‘marked’ with the bacteria, an immune suppressing drug is often prescribed to help increase the cat’s red blood cells and decrease the severity of any anemia that has occurred. Prednisone is the most common medication that is prescribed in order to temporarily suppress the cat’s immune system. In severe cases of life threatening anemia, a blood transfusion may be needed for a successful recovery.
Most cats that are infected with feline infectious anemia have an excellent prognosis as long as they are treated in a timely manner. Cats that have underlying immune conditions, such as feline leukemia, have a more guarded prognosis, but they can still recover from this disease through early diagnosis and treatment. Some cats called ‘carrier cats’ are infected with the bacteria though they show no symptoms, and they do not require any types of treatment.