What Is Feline Mycoplasma?

Sometimes called feline infectious anemia, feline mycoplasma is a bacterial infection caused by the Mycoplasma haemofelis organism. Without treatment, the disease often results in the death of the affected cat.

  1. Cause

    • Feline mycoplasma is spread through the bite of an infected flea, lice tick or mosquito as well as through a transfusion with infected blood. Veterinarians believe that mother cats can pass the disease on to kittens and that cats can spread the disease by biting other cast, though more research is needed to conclusively prove these causes, reports Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.

    Risks

    • Male cats between the ages of four and six that get in frequent cat fights are most likely to develop mycoplasma as well as cats that do not have all of their vaccinations, reports Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Feline leukemia also seems to increase the risk of developing the condition, though veterinarians do not fully understand why.

    Effects

    • The mycoplasma bacteria binds to a cat's red blood cells in order to obtain nutrients, and in turn the cat's white blood cells begin to attack and destroy the red blood cells to fight the infection. As a result, the cat becomes severely anemic and suffers from an iron deficiency.

    Symptoms

    • Cats with feline mycoplasma are often lethargic and weak and may develop yellowing in their eyes or on their noses and the pads of their feet. Animals with the disease sometimes eat their own feces or the litter in their boxes in an attempt to gain more iron.

    Time Frame

    • Often, it takes cats one month from the time of infection to show any signs of the disease, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.

    Treatment

    • To kill the mycoplasma bacteria, veterinarians typically prescribe an antibiotic medication like tetracycline for three weeks along with corticosteroids like prednisone to stop the immune system attack on the red blood cells, explains Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Some cats may need a blood transfusion to replace lost red blood cells.