CAT LOVEPURR

Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasmosis- what blood test lab values (if any) will be abnormal?

Took my cat to the vet due to sudden onset of lethargy and lack of appetite (From fine to sickly in 3 days). He is 1 1/2 years old. Blood tests revealed an extremely low RBC count. He tested negative for feline aids and feline leukemia, and WBC counts were not elevated. This vet wanted to euthanize my cat, so to be sure I got a second opinion. The next vet more or less agreed with the first, however sent us home with appetite stimulant, antibiotics, and steroids, in addition to giving a shot of B12, and told us it was a wait and see approach. Could there be any undetectable causes (like the one mentioned above), and is a blood transfusion in order? Thanks in advance.

Has your vet done a blood smear? FHM usually shows up in that.

It is possible for a cat to get FHM from fleas. I’ve had two cats develop anemia as a result of fleas. One was able to pull back with a good diet of raw foods. The other one did need some meds, and I believe he had both tetracycline and doxycycline for a few weeks. Although it may seem contradictory, large doses of prednisolone may sometimes be given to suppress the destruction of the red blood cells by the body if it is the cat’s body itself that is destroying red blood cells. We were able to handle the situation before transfusions, but that is often a treatment for FHM anemia.

Good luck, and I hope the appetite stimulant helps. This is a situation where tuna juice and milk products can be very helpful in getting nutrition into your cat.

Right now the important thing is to get him eating. Then, I would suggest moving him over to a raw or partially raw diet to help build up red blood cells.

Good luck, and I hope all will be well.