Cause of Feline Infectious Anemia

Feline infectious anemia (FIA) is a highly contagious disease, caused by a blood parasite, Hemobartonella felis.  This parasite attacks the red blood cells.  Eventually, this action results in their destruction and the beginning of anemia follows.  FIA can affect cats of all ages and breeds.  Some cats will eat soil or litter in an attempt to obtain iron.

Symptoms can appear as:

• Anemia
• Depression
• Enlarged Liver
• Enlarged Spleen
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Loss of Appetite

The disease is spread through contact with the blood of an infected cat.  Transmission can occur through cat bites, fights, and blood-sucking insects (fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks).

A positive diagnosis of feline infectious anemia can be obtained through testing.  A complete blood count can be performed, in addition to a urinalysis, PCR analysis, feline leukemia test, feline immunodeficiency test, and a Coombs test.

Some cats show no signs of the infection until they are stressed about some other problem.  It can take from one to three weeks from the time of the infection until signs of infection appear.  Cats that are infected with feline infectious anemia can become carriers.  Relapses are not uncommon.