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This form of anemia is typically seen in older cats and could also be caused by bone marrow disorders liver disease or other chronic diseases. The main purpose of a blood transfusion is to stabilize your cat while the underlying cause of the anemia is determined and other treatments can begin to take effect.
To better understand your cats anemia your vet will work to identify the root cause so you can treat both the anemia and the condition behind it.
What causes anemia in older cats. The most common underlying cause of anemia is chronic disease as anemia is a typical side effect of age-related health conditions Dr. The system gets turned off. With kidney disease for example you are losing blood but you cant make more What Are Some Other Causes of Anemia in Cats.
Blood loss from fleasticks and parasites or an injury can cause regenerative. When the kidneys fail to work properly your cats body is unable replace red blood cells as quickly as the cats body uses them resulting in anemia. This form of anemia is typically seen in older cats and could also be caused by bone marrow disorders liver disease or other chronic diseases.
Causes Of Anemia In Cats. Anemia in cats may come about in three ways. By blood loss by a problem with RBC production or by conditions in which RBCs are destroyed.
Sometimes more than one of these factors is involved. Common causes of anemia in cats include. Blood loss due to internal or external bleeding.
Low-grade longterm blood loss eventually results in iron-deficiency anemia. This leads to abnormally small red blood cells and a lack of hemoglobin. In kittens this is often caused by parasites for example fleas lice or intestinal worms but in older cats bleeding from stomach ulcers or.
Here are the most common causes of anemia in cats. If your pet has suffered a blow or accident. It may have lost a lot of blood or have suffered internal bleeding.
Fleas ticks or lice can cause a cat to lose lots of blood and therefore suffer from anemia. I think anemia in a cat is never good. There are three primary reasons for a cat to be anemic.
Basically the causes are that they are losing blood destroying their own blood or not making new blood. First they are losing blood which can occur from a bleeding tumor loosing blood through a wound or loosing blood through urine or a stomach. The term traumablood loss may bring to mind situations when blood is pooling from a wound or other trauma.
However two of the most common causes of anemia from blood loss in cats are due to flea andor tick infestations and hookworm infections. Is Anemia in Cats Dangerous. Fleas and ticks drink animals blood to live and reproduce.
Anemia has many causes including cancer drug reactions chronic illness kidney failure parasitic infection feline leukemia and even toxins. To better understand your cats anemia your vet will work to identify the root cause so you can treat both the anemia and the condition behind it. A major study of causes of anemia in non-institutionalized older Americans found the following.
One-third of the anemias were due to deficiency of iron vitamin B12 andor folate. One-third were due to chronic kidney disease or anemia of chronic disease. One-third of the anemias were unexplained.
Tests for feline leukemia virus feline immunodeficiency virus and parasites which are common causes of hemolytic anemia in cats will be performed. Additional tests such as urinalysis x-rays or ultrasound to check for underlying causes such as infection or cancer also may be performed. The cause of anemia varies from cat to cat but there are three main categories.
Loss of red blood cells Loss of blood from hemorrhaging or trauma blood-sucking parasites like fleas or hookworm ulcers inflammation of the bowels are all ways cats can lose red blood cells. One common cause of anemia in cats is kidney disease. This is because the kidney produces a hormone called erythropoietin which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red.
The most common causes for anemia in cats include. Parasitic infection such as gastrointestinal parasites fleas and ticks etc Kidney failure and the lack of the kidneys producing the hormone erythropoietin which normally stimulates RBC production from the bone marrow. The cat is exposed to a bacteria or virus that can cause anemia.
Bacteria like Hemobartonella can cause anemia as can viruses like Feline Leukemia Virus FeLV and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus FIV. Parasites like cytauxzoon and. A donor or supply will be located and infusions will take place while in hospital care.
If the anemia is caused by an infection toxic substance organ failure hormone deficiency nutrient deficiency or feline viral infection the veterinarian will prescribe treatment based on the specific cause. If your cats anemia is so severe that it is life threatening a blood transfusion will be needed. Before giving your cat a blood transfusion blood samples will be taken for diagnostic testing or blood typing.
The main purpose of a blood transfusion is to stabilize your cat while the underlying cause of the anemia is determined and other treatments can begin to take effect.