Feline Hemotrophic Mycoplasmosis

What is Feline Hemotrophic Mycoplasmosis?

Feline Hemotrophic Mycoplasmosis (FHM) is the current name for a relatively uncommon infection of cats. With this disease, the cat's  red blood cells are infected by a microscopic blood parasite. The subsequent destruction of the infected red blood cells results in anemia. Anemia is a medical term referring to a reduction in the numbers of red blood cells (erythrocytes) or in the quantity of the blood pigment hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. In the past, this disease was called Feline Infectious Anemia or hemobartonellosis

What causes Feline Hemotrophic Mycoplasmosis (FHM)?

"Anemia occurs if enough red blood cells are infected and destroyed."

FHM is caused by a microscopic parasite that attaches itself to the surface of the cat's red blood cells. This parasite was recently reclassified and named Mycoplasma haemofelis (its old name was Hemobartonella felis). The infected blood cells may break down, or they may be treated as "foreign" by the cat's immune system and be destroyed. Anemia occurs if enough red blood cells are infected and destroyed.

What are the signs of FHM?

The anemia may be mild and not cause any obvious signs. Many cases of FHM infection in cats go undetected. Some of these subclinical cats remain long-term carriers of the disease and spread the disease to other cats. If another disease or condition lowers the cat's immunity, FHM may become clinically evident.

If a large number of red cells are destroyed, symptomatic anemia occurs. The mucous membranes, readily observed in the conjunctival lining of the eyes and the gums, will be pale to white. If jaundice accompanies the anemia, the membranes may be yellow. Because the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood is decreased, the cat may fatigue quickly, be weak and lethargic, and may lose weight.

How is FHM diagnosed?

There are many reasons for a cat to be anemic, and even if M. haemofelis is detected, it may not be the actual cause of the anemia. A full clinical examination with blood and urine tests will be needed to diagnose FHM. Although the blood parasite has a characteristic form on the surface of stained red blood cells, it is a very small organism and can be difficult to observe, especially when relatively few red cells are infected. The proportion of infected cells can fluctuate from day to day.  Because the organism can sometimes be found in normal cats, the mere detection of M. haemofelis does not confirm a diagnosis of FHM, and other possible causes of the anemia should not be overlooked.

Can FHM be treated?

"It is important to give the full course of antibiotics to the patient."

Certain broad-spectrum antibiotics such as tetracycline will destroy M. haemofelis. In some cases, after an initial good response to antibiotic treatment, there may be relapse. In addition, the organism can persist in sites protected from the antibiotic. Therefore, it is important to give the full course of antibiotics to the patient.  If another disease is present, it must also be treated. If an immune-mediated disease is suspected, immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids may be used. If the anemia is very severe, a blood transfusion may be required.

How is FHM transmitted and are my other cats at risk?

The major transmission route of FHM is thought to be biting, blood-sucking parasites such as fleas. Direct cat-to-cat transmission or transmission by inanimate objects such as contaminated food bowls and litter-trays seems unlikely. Even if there are other cats in the household, they may remain uninfected, or at least symptom-free. However, a bite from an infected cat may spread the infection. The incubation period may be as long as seven weeks although a two-week incubation period is more normal. Due to this long incubation period, the actual source of the infection may be difficult to determine. Since the way it is spread between cats is not fully understood, good hygienic practices should be followed.