Hemolytic Anemia is a general condition in which the blood's ability to carry oxygen is reduced. Red blood cells have an oxygen carrying component called hemoglobin. If the number of red blood cells in the body is reduced the amount of hemoglobin will also be reduced. This deprives the cells of the body of oxygen needed to survive and thus causes a state called anemia.
The life cycle of the red blood cell is as follows: red blood cells are made in the bone marrow and then released into the circulatory system. These red blood cells perform their functions and after a few months are collected into the spleen where they are destroyed. It is when this process is interrupted or changed (at any point in the life cycle) that anemia can occur.
There are many reasons why a cat could become anemic including bone marrow cancer or a decrease in bone marrow production, internal bleeding, infection, autoimmune disorder (immune mediated hemolytic anemia), parasites, or iron deficiency. See Also: Feline Infectious Anemia.
Symptoms to look for:
? Lethargy
? Decreased appetite
? Loss of weight
? Pale or white gums (gums are generally pink)
? Dehydration
? Diarrhea
? Incontinence
? Increased breathing rate or wheezing
Treatment:
If your cat has any of the above symptoms take him/her to the vet immediately for treatment. Your vet will determine the cause of the anemia and depending on the cause the treatment can range from antibiotics, to dietary supplements, to blood transfusions.
Precautionary measures:
Indoor cats, who are in much less contact with disease and parasites, are at a much lower risk of becoming anemic. Keeping your cat inside and making sure he/she eats a balanced diet are the best precautions against anemia.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
FIP is caused by a coronavirus (RNA virus). This virus integrates itself into the white blood cells in the body. Once infected, the body will begin to generate a cell-mediated immune response. Such a response involves macrophages, cytotoxic T-cells and other cells which digest and kill virus-containing cells. If this response does not successfully remove the virus from the system, limit the amount of virus significantly, or allow the cat to become immune such that it can survive with the virus in the body, the cat will mount an antibody-mediated response. In this response antibodies will be created to seek out and kill virus and cells containing virus. It is the antibody-mediated response which actually causes the disease symptoms and eventually can kill the cat. Thus cats who can mount an effective cell-mediated response and avoid the antibody-mediated response usually can live with or fight off the disease, while animals who get to the point at which they mount an antibody-mediated response generally show signs of disease. On average cats will develop symptoms of the disease within two weeks after infection if they are to develop the disease. And for-the-most-part only the very young, very old, stressed or immuno-compromised will become ill from exposure to the virus.
Currently much deliberation occurs as to how FIP is transmitted and spread. It is known that cats shed coronavirus in their saliva and feces. For a long time it was thus thought that the virus was transmitted through casual contact with saliva or feces, or from a mother to kitten. Thus catteries or multiple cat homes with an FIP+ cat were thought to be in danger of infecting all animals. However, new studies show that this may not be the case at all. These studies propose that FIP is acquired due to mutations of other coronavirus' to the FIP virus. These hypotheses are based on numerous studies which show that the FIP virus is not very stable in the environment and that it is rapidly inactivated by household cleaners, that indoor-only cats in single-cat homes who originally test FIP- can suddenly become FIP+, and that infection of other cats in multiple cat homes with one FIP+ cat is sporadic and limited at best (the number of cats the do become FIP+ correspond with the number of cats which would become infected due to a mutation anyway). Of course until definitive studies are completed it is still best to keep a FIP+ cat separated from other cats to avoid any chance of possible infection.
There are two types of FIP, wet (effusive) and dry. Both forms will affect multiple organs of the body (kidney, liver, eyes, brain, lungs, stomach, nervous system) and such symptoms may be non-specific and vary from cat to cat. Wet FIP is rapidly progressive and characterized by fluid accumulation in different parts of the body (lungs, chest, stomach). An infected cat may appear pot-bellied and have trouble breathing. The dry form is characterized by non-specific symptoms like fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, and neurological problems. Such cats can have trouble walking or moving and can have anisocoria in which one pupil fully dilates and stays that way.
Symptoms to look for:
? Fever (most vets agree that the largest cause of chronic fever of unknown origin is FIP)
? Lethargy
? Depression
? Weight loss
? Rough hair coat
? Vomiting
? Diarrhea
? Bloated belly (with wet FIP)
? Anisocoria (one pupil fully dilated)
? Trouble walking or moving
? Incontinence
? Trouble breathing
? Anemia
? Neurological problems (seizure, paralysis, behavioral changes, balance problems)
? Kidney problems/failure
? Liver problems/failure
Diagnosis:
Unfortunately tests for FIP are shaky at best. This is why it is very important to treat the symptoms, not the test. Thus if your cat has all the symptoms of FIP and there is no other explanation for his/her illness, even if the test is negative, treat for FIP. Cats who test negative can do so for multiple reasons: 1) the cat has not been exposed to the virus 2) the cat has the disease but all antibodies are tied up trying to kill virus 3) the immune system is so weak from the disease that it no longer can produce antibodies 4) antibodies are currently in a growth/death cycle and are currently not present in high amount. Similarly if your cat is tested and is shown as FIP+, yet has no symptoms, do not assume he or she has the disease and do not treat for the disease. Your cat could have been exposed to FIP and have antibodies but does not have the disease, or your cat may have antibodies to FECV.
There are over a dozen different coronavirus species and in cats coronavirus' fall into two types, FIP or FECV (Feline Enteric Corona Virus, a mild virus which causes diarrhea).
Treatment:
Most vets will tell you that FIP is always fatal and that there is nothing you can do but euthanasia. Although FIP is often fatal there are treatments that you can try to help your pet force the virus into remission, to form a symbiosis with the virus so both can live quite happily, or to simply live a good quality of life for months to years after diagnosis. The goal of treatment should be to boost the cell-mediated immune response and suppress the antibody-mediated immune response. And as suppressing any part of the immune system can allow the cat to be susceptible to other diseases you need to keep the cat as safe and healthy as possible during this time so as to not catch another illness. Also minimize stress in your cat's life, keep the cat happy and on a high-quality diet. Your vet may also prescribe supportive care for other symptoms or problems caused by the FIP such as anemia or kidney problems. Medications that can be used to accomplish the above goals include interferon, prednisone or other corticosteroids, antibiotics, cytotoxic drugs, and anti-virals.
Precautionary measures:
There is a vaccine for FIP; however, this vaccine is very controversial and it hasn't been determined if it can actually cause more severe cases of FIP in cats. At this time, until further research can be made, we can not advocate the use of such a vaccine. For more information ask your veterinarian about the vaccine and any new finding on its efficacy.
Feline Urological Syndrome
Feline Urologic Syndrome (which is now called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorder) is a more general term for a collection of problems including:
? Cystitis or inflammation of the bladder or urethra.
? Urethritis or infection of the urethra or bladder.
? Urinary Tract Cancer or a tumor in the bladder or urethra.
? Trauma to the urinary tract (getting his by a car, falling etc.).
? Urethral Plugs which consist of a soft, malleable material containing minerals, cells/cellular debris, and protein. Many things interact to produce plugs including: viruses, bacteria, physical inactivity, stress, diet, decreased water consumption, urine retention, and urine pH.
? Urethral/Bladder Stones (Urolith) which are formed if crystals or mineral deposits build up long enough. These stones are generally made up of magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) or calcium oxilate. These stones will irritate the lining of the urethra or bladder and can partially or completely block the urinary tract.
This disease can happen to cats at any age, although it is more prevalent in older cats. FLUTD is also more prevalent in males than in females due to the anatomy of the female which is that of a longer and thinner urethra. Determining the cause of FLUTD is the key to treatment; however, it is very difficult to find the exact cause of the disease. In fact, 50% of the time a definitive cause is not found. Such cats are said to have idiopathic feline lower tract disorder (IFLUTD).
It is not 100% clear why cats get any of the above problems. Diet is thought to be one cause. A diet high in magnesium is thought to assist in the production of mineral deposits. A urine environment that is basic (the opposite of acidic) is conducive to struvite formation. Many cat foods today are actually formed to help to keep the pH of the urine low and maintain low quantities of magnesium in the body. Also mineral deposits tend to form in concentrated urine. Thus make sure your cat drinks plenty of fresh water to keep the urine dilute. Stress is thought to be another potential cause. In fact studies have shown that a prior stressful event correlates highly with the onset of FLUTD. If you suspect that your cat has a urethral blockage of any kind (if you see any of the symptoms listed below) call your vet immediately. When a cat can't urinate the kidneys become unable to remove toxins from the blood, and maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. When this happens the cat can die within 48 hours due to the high level of toxins in the blood and/or electrolyte imbalances (which leads to heart failure).
Symptoms to look for:
? Straining to urinate
? Frequent urination with little urine
? Urinating outside of the box
? Hard or full bladder
? Licking of the genital area
? Blood in the urine
Treatment:
If you suspect your cat of having FLUTD take your cat to the vet immediately. He/she will take a urine sample from your cat and test it for the presence of crystals and to determine the pH. Your vet may also take a few X-rays to look for stones or blockages.
If your cat does have FLUTD he/she may need catheterization or surgery to remove any blockages or plugs. If your cat is dehydrated or has any electrolyte imbalances he/she will receive fluid therapy either subcutaneously or intravenously. Your cat will be put on a course of drug therapy to acidify the urine, combat bacterial infection, relieve pain, and/or restore bladder function. And your vet will probably prescribe a diet that will promote good urinary tract health.
Precautionary measures:
The best precautionary measure for FLUTD seems to be through proper diet. Feed your cat only a high-quality, vet-approved diet that is low in magnesium and promotes good urinary tract health. Make sure your cat drinks plenty of fresh water. And keep your cat's litterboxes clean so as to reduce the risk of any urinary infections or inflammations.