Anemia is a condition that can develop in cats who do not have
enough red blood cells in their bloodstream. Because the job of
red blood cells is to carry oxygen to the tissues, an
inadequate number results in less oxygen getting delivered, and
this can cause symptoms like lethargy, weakness, and pale gums.
If left untreated, anemia can seriously hinder your cat’s
quality of life, and in severe cases, it could also result in
death.
Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available
for cats suffering from anemia, and for many cats, the
prognosis is very good.
Diagnosing Cat Anemia
Anemia is typically diagnosed at your veterinarian through complete blood work
that analyzes the components of your cat’s blood and examines
red blood cell count. The most common blood test performed when
diagnosing feline anemia is the PCV or packed cell volume. The
PCV is a very quick test that reveals the percentage of red
blood cells present in your cat’s bloodstream. If the
percentage is lower than normal, your veterinarian will
diagnose anemia.
Other tests can be important in determining what is causing the
anemia. These tests may include:
- Blood smear to check for blood parasites
- Bone marrow biopsy to provide information about the
condition of the bone marrow (which creates red blood cells)
- Fecal parasite exam to check for parasites in the
intestines that may be causing blood loss
- Urinalysis to evaluate your cat’s electrolyte levels, which
can provide insight into your cat’s overall health
- Biochemical profile to look at your cat’s organ functions
and overall health condition
-
Feline leukemia (FeLV) test to
check for one of the primary causes of anemia
-
Feline immunodeficiency virus
(FIV) test to check for feline immunodeficiency virus, or
feline AIDS -- another common cause of anemia
Treating Cat Anemia
Treatment for your cat’s anemia will depend on the severity of
their condition as well as the underlying cause.
- If your cat’s condition is life-threatening, a blood
transfusion may be necessary. A blood transfusion serves to
stabilize your cat so that its body will be receptive to other
treatments.
- If the anemia is caused by parasites, antibiotics are usually
prescribed for several weeks, and the parasites themselves are
treated.
- If your cat’s anemia resulted in a weakened immune system,
immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids may be prescribed.
- Surgery may be required for some conditions that trigger
anemia, for example, tumors or internal trauma that is causing
blood loss.
- If your cat is suffering from anemia because of poor
nutrition, replacing the missing nutrients and getting your cat
on a complete and balanced diet can reverse the condition.
- If your cat’s anemia resulted in an iron deficiency, iron
supplements may be prescribed.
- 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. Your veterinarian will
work with you to come up with a plan for getting them back to
good health.
The Causes of Feline Anemia that You Need to Know What is
feline anemia?
Feline anemia is a situation defined by an insufficient number
of red blood cells in circulation. Red blood cells are the
storehouse of hemoglobin, an iron-rich molecule that binds
efficiently to oxygen. This is responsible for absorbing oxygen
from the air we breathe and supplying it to vital organs of the
body. In the case of feline anemia, the ability of the cat to
absorb oxygen and supply it to body tissues decreases. As a
result, your cat becomes lethargic and weak. It may also cause
difficulty in breathing because your cat will try to force more
air into the lungs to compensate for the lack of oxygen supply.
Feline anemia can be fatal for your cat if it goes untreated.
What causes feline
anemia?
There are basically two types of feline anemia: regenerative
and non-regenerative anemia. Regenerative anemia can be caused
by hemolysis, a condition where there is a loss of blood or
destruction of red blood cells. The bone marrow is capable of
producing red blood cells in larger quantities, but it's not
enough to replace the amount of blood lost. Feline regenerative
anemia can be a result of:
- Hemorrhage caused by internal bleeding or an accident
- Parasites breeding in the cat's body
- Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, in which the cat's body
destroys its own red blood cells.
- Heinz body hemolytic anemia.
Some other causes of regenerative feline anemia include
improper cat food, certain types of medications, or toxins like
propylene glycol or acetaminophen. An unusual cause of feline
regenerative anemia is a condition known as neonatal
iso-erythrolysis, in which cats with Type A blood consume
colostrum from a mother with Type B blood. On the other hand,
feline nonregenerative anemia is characterized by inadequate
production of red blood cells by the bone marrow of your cat.
Causes of nonregenerative anemia include feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV),
starvation or poor nutrition, and certain types of cancers and
inflammatory disease. Chronic kidney disease is also seen to be
a common cause of non-regenerative anemia in cats. For the bone
marrow to produce red blood cells, it needs a proper supply of
erythropoietin. This glycoprotein hormone is produced in the
kidney. Cats with chronic kidney disease cannot produce this
hormone, thus resulting in anemic conditions. Regenerative
anemia is mostly seen in young cats, while nonregenerative
anemia is seen in middle-aged or older cats. Diagnosis of
feline anemia is performed after testing blood count, blood
smear, biochemical profile, fecal matter, and antibodies.
Finding the underlying cause of feline anemia is important
since anemia is an indication of a graver condition. The
treatment will, however, depend on the cause and seriousness of
the condition.
More on Cat Health
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Food
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Other Cat Habits
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis, or treatment by, your
veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been
verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
