How serious is anemia in cats?

Is it dangerous for a cat to be anemic?

Although sudden and severe anemia can be life-threatening in cats, milder and more gradual cases tend to respond better to treatments. Any time you suspect that your cat is sick, take them to your vet as soon as possible. Anemia affects the amount of oxygen in your cat’s body, so the symptoms often reflect your cat not being able to get enough air.

What to do if your cat has infectious anemia?

Once the vet is able to spot the bacteria in your cat’s blood, he will issue an official diagnosis of infectious anemia. Infectious anemia will need to be treated with antibiotics to eliminate the mycoplasmas from the blood. The most effective antibiotic is doxycycline, however tetracycline and oxytetracycline are also reliable.

What are the signs of anemia in cats?

1 Pale gums 2 Acting tired, weak, or listless 3 Faster-than-normal pulse 4 Lack of appetite 5 Weight loss 6 Black, tarry stools 7 These signs can vary from pet to pet and really depend upon the underlying cause of the anemia. In some situations, your cat may present no signs at all!

How can you tell if a cat has a blood infection?

Some infections are also best diagnosed by looking at white blood cells or red blood cells under the microscope. The most common of these is a mycoplasma infection of the red blood cells called feline infectious anemia.

Why does my cat have red blood cells in his blood?

Cats are prone to getting a type of anemia from toxin exposure called Heinz body anemia from damage to the red blood cell membranes. Heinz bodies are easily seen on blood smears. Some infections are also best diagnosed by looking at white blood cells or red blood cells under the microscope.

What causes spiculated red blood cells in cats?

Anemia, Metabolic (Anemias With Spiculated Red Cells) in Cats. Metabolic anemia in cats occurs as the result of any disease related to the kidney, liver, or spleen by which the shape of red blood cells (RBCs) is changed. Normally, red blood cells (RBCs) in cats are of a biconcave discoid shape, but in metabolic anemia,…

What happens when a cat loses too many red blood cells?

If your cat loses too many red blood cells or production decreases, this can result in a lack of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. There are two types of anemia: regenerative and non-regenerative.

What causes blood disorders in cats?

Causes of Blood Disorders in Cats. A blood disorder may be inherited or be the result of another condition: Bacterial or viral infections. Parasites. Inflammation (e.g. kidneys, lungs, etc.) Cancer (e.g. Leukemia) Radiation therapy. Nutritional deficiency (e.g. lack of iron)

How is feline infectious anemia treated in cats?

It has been documented that approximately 40 to 50 percent of cats with feline infectious anemia are positive for one of these viruses as well. Cats with mild anemia and only a few signs of illness may be treated at home using oral antibiotics and / or steroids to decrease the removal of red blood cells by the immune system.

How effective are antibiotics for infectious anemia in cats?

Antibiotics are usually effective in reducing the symptoms of infectious anemia, but that does not mean the harmful bacteria will be completely eliminated from your cat’s body. Your cat may be a carrier for years after being treated, and the anemia may reappear when the cat is going through stress or periods of illness.

Can fleas cause infectious anaemia in cats?

Infectious Anemia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals. Feline infectious anaemia is caused by Mycoplasma which is normally transmitted by fleas or tick but may also be transmitted by fighting, biting, contaminated medical equipment (dirty needles, surgical instruments etc…).

What kind of anemia does a cat have?

There are different types of anemia that can affect your cat, including infectious anemia, which is caused by bacterial microorganisms that destroy your cat’s red blood cells. Some cats may exhibit very few symptoms, while others may have a more severe case of anemia with easily observable symptoms.

When to take your cat to the vet for anemia?

Other treatments will vary depending on the severity and cause of your cat’s anemia. If you notice that your cat is suffering from symptoms of anemia, contact your veterinarian right away. While some cases of anemia are mild, others can be extremely dangerous.

What is a physical exam for a cat with anemia?

A physical examination, which evaluates a cat’s overall health and exposes signs of anemia (for example, a heart murmur, pale gums, low blood pressure, enlarged lymph nodes, or jaundice) and underlying illness.

What are the symptoms of hemolytic anemia in cats?

Animals with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia have signs of anemia (such as weakness and pale gums), are usually jaundiced, and sometimes have a fever or an enlarged spleen. Affected cats can show mild, slow-developing signs and not appear to be in any pain, or they can suddenly be in severe crisis.

What is a CBC blood test for a cat?

The first part of the test is the complete blood count, or CBC. This measures the numbers of various types of cells present in your cat’s blood. The RBC, or red blood cell count, measures the number of circulating red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body, which is crucial to sustain life.

What do the numbers on a cat blood test mean?

This measures the numbers of various types of cells present in your cat’s blood. 1. RBC and HCT (or PCV) The RBC, or red blood cell count, measures the number of circulating red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body, which is crucial to sustain life.

What are the effects of polycythemia in cats?

Polycythemia thickens your cat’s blood, making it hard for it to move through his system while depriving cells of necessary nutrients. Under normal conditions, red blood cells carry oxygen, while the white blood cells fight off infections.

What happens if anemia is not treated in cats?

Untreated anemia can be debilitating, and may become life-threatening in severe cases. The veterinarian will need to collect a Complete Blood Count (CBC) from your cat so it can be tested to tell him or her how many red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells and platelets your pet has.

What causes a cat’s red blood cell count to be high?

If your kitty’s red blood cell count is elevated, your vet will do some diagnostic testing to discover the cause. Tests may include a urinalysis, complete blood count and blood oxygen levels. Fluffy’s high red blood cell count could be caused by a kidney tumor, bone marrow cancer or cardiac or lung problems.

What happens when a cat has no red blood cells?

When there are not enough red blood cells in the body, it inevitably means that your cat is not getting enough oxygen to the critical organs in his body. In addition, because the conditions of anemia lead the blood to become thinner, there is not an adequate count of platelets available in the blood.