Haemobartonella, Haemobart., feline infectious anemia.
Overview:
Haemobartonellosis, or feline infectious anemia, is a parasitic disease caused by Haemobartonella felis. The disease process begins when H. felis organisms attach themselves to the red blood cells of infected cats. H. felis may be spread by a number of routes, although fleabites are thought to be the major mode of transmission. While some infected cats have no symptoms, others may develop severe anemia and illness. The infection is diagnosed microscopically when the organisms are found on the surface of red blood cells in a blood smear. However, since the organisms may not always be present, treatment is often initiated in an anemic cat if there is no other explanation for the anemia. Specific treatment for feline infectious anemia includes tetracycline antibiotics and prednisone. Patients may require supportive care, including blood transfusion. Although treatment does not eliminate the infection completely, cats that survive are thought to have a good long-term outlook.
Giardia, beaver fever
Overview:
Giardia is a parasite found in the intestines of humans and most types of domesticated animals throughout the world, including cats. It is also a common cause of diarrhea in cats, especially among cats in catteries and group housing situations.
Cat bite abscess
Overview:
There is a tremendous amount of bacteria in the mouth of a cat, and so when a cat bites another animal, the wound it leaves is very likely to become infected. The holes created in the skin by the teeth tend to seal over quickly, trapping all the injected bacteria underneath. When infection occurs, the wounded cat's body will send a large number of white blood cells called neutrophils to the bite wound to help kill the bacteria. A painful abscess will form when the bacteria and neutrophils combine together in a pocket of pus that will appear at the wound site or just below it.
Feline leukemia virus, FeLV
Overview:
The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has been compared to the human AIDS virus because of its effect on the immune system. A contagious and often fatal disease, feline leukemia can cause multiple organ disease, cancer, bone marrow suppression resulting in low numbers of platelets and red and white blood cells, and a weakening of the immune system that makes it less likely that an affected cat will overcome infections. There is no cure for feline leukemia, but there are medications that can help enhance the cat's quality of life.
FIP
Overview:
Cats that are infected with feline coronavirus, a contagious virus transmitted through feces and saliva, run the risk of developing feline infectious peritonitis, a rare and deadly form of this disease. In most cases, the coronavirus itself is not serious, but FIP is usually fatal. FIP causes the cat's immune system to attack its own cells, damaging blood vessels throughout the body. Without adequate blood flow, many of the body's organs are severely damaged and fail. Cats that show signs of FIP generally die from it quickly.