Content
- Mycoplasma in cats
- Causes of feline mycoplasmosis
- Feline Mycoplasmosis - How Is It Transmitted?
- Symptoms of feline mycoplasmosis
- Diagnosis of feline mycoplasmosis
- Feline Mycoplasmosis - Treatment
- Can feline mycoplasmosis be cured?
- Prevention of feline mycoplasmosis
Feline mycoplasmosis, also called feline infectious anemia or cat flea disease, is a disease caused by parasitic bacteria. Mycoplasma haemophelis which can often go unnoticed or, in severe cases, manifest itself through severe anemia which, if not detected in time, can lead to the animal's death.
In this PeritoAnimal article we will explain everything you need to know about feline mycoplasmosis - causes, symptoms and treatment.
Mycoplasma in cats
Feline mycoplasma, also known as the flea disease in cats can be transmitted through the bite of infected ectoparasites (parasites found on your pet's fur and skin), such as fleas and ticks. For that reason, regular flea and tick control is essential to protect your cat.
However, transmission can also occur via the iatrogenic route (the result of a medical act), through the transfusion of contaminated blood.
If your cat has fleas, is itchy a lot, is more stationary or not wanting to eat, ask your veterinarian which product is best for your cat and test for this parasite.
Causes of feline mycoplasmosis
Once entered into the bloodstream by infected fleas and ticks, the mycoplasma haemophelis invades and partially adheres to the surface of the red blood cells (the red blood cells), causing their hemolysis (destruction) and leading to anemia.
Studies claim that two distinct subspecies of Haemobartonella felis: a large, relatively pathogenic and more dangerous form, causing severe anemia, and a smaller, less virulent form.
It should be noted that even having been in contact with the bacteria, there are animals that do not develop the disease and that they do not show any kind of symptoms. In this case, they are just carriers, they do not manifest the disease, but they can transmit it.
This disease can also be dormant and manifest itself when the animal is weaker, stressed or immunosuppressed (in diseases such as FELV or FIP) because this bacterium takes advantage of the animal's weakness to reproduce.
Feline Mycoplasmosis - How Is It Transmitted?
Transmission by contact or through saliva is unlikely, but interactions involving aggressiveness, such as fights, bites or scratches, can result in transmission, as in these cases the animals may be exposed to the blood of another contaminated animal. Any kitten can be affected, regardless of age, breed and sex.
According to studies, males seem to be more predisposed than females due to street fights and it is necessary to be extra careful in spring and summer, since the number of fleas and ticks at these times increases, as well as the risk of infesting theirs. animal.
Symptoms of feline mycoplasmosis
While some cats may show obvious clinical signs, others may show no signs at all (asymptomatic). This fact depends on the pathogenicity of the agent, that is, the invading agent's ability to cause disease, the animal's current fragility and health and the amount of agent inoculated during fights or during the flea bite.
Thus, the infection may be asymptomatic with mild anemia, or present most common clinical signs that include:
- Anemia
- Depression
- Weakness
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Mucosal pallor
- Fever
- Spleen enlargement
- Yellowish mucous membranes that indicate jaundice in some cases.
Diagnosis of feline mycoplasmosis
To identify and visualize the parasite, the veterinarian usually uses:
- blood smear
- Molecular technique called PCR.
Since this PCR technique is not fully available to everyone and the blood smear is insensitive, cases of mycoplasma in cats can easily go unrecognized.
It should be noted that animals positive to the PCR technique may not have the active disease and therefore it is not necessary to treat.
The veterinarian will also ask for a blood test (blood count) as this test provides a summary of the animal's general condition and can also help with a definitive diagnosis.
O diagnosis of this disease is very difficult., so it is important to emphasize that the same must be done taking into account all aspects of the animal's history, clinical signs, analyzes and complementary exams performed.
Not only cats with anemia should be considered suspicious, but all those with a history of flea infestation.
Feline Mycoplasmosis - Treatment
Appropriate therapy and supportive care are essential to ensure successful treatment and quality of life for felines.
Typically, the recommended therapy involves antibiotics, steroids, fluid therapy (serum) and, in certain cases, transfusion.
Can feline mycoplasmosis be cured?
Yes, there is a cure. The animal is recovered and no longer shows symptoms of the disease. However, when animals are treated for the infection, they become carriers asymptomatic indefinitely, which can go from a few months to the entire life of the animal. In other words, although the symptoms and progression of the disease are curable, the animal can carry mycoplasma for life. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment.
Prevention of feline mycoplasmosis
The main protection measure is the combat of ectoparasites through regular deworming. Although spring and summer are the times of greatest risk, currently, with climate change, care must be reinforced during all seasons.
It is usually also recommended to stick to your feline's vaccination plan to prevent certain immune-mediated diseases from triggering mycoplasmosis.
Neutering is also recommended, as these are the animals that go out into the street or escape and are more likely to catch fleas and get involved in ugly fights.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Feline Mycoplasmosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our section on Parasitic Diseases.