What Causes IMHA. While these infectious and non-infectious diseases should be considered in cats presenting with hemolytic anemia primary hemolytic anemia may be more common in these cats than historically thought.
While these infectious and non-infectious diseases should be considered in cats presenting with hemolytic anemia primary hemolytic anemia may be more common in these cats than historically thought.
What causes imha in cats. Fectious agents that can cause IMHA in cats are FeLV Gunn-Moore et al 1999. Kohn et al 2006 and ra-rely FIP and Babesia felis Penzhorn et al 2004. Nor-ris et al 2005.
Drugs Several drugs eg. Propylthiouracil methimazole famotidine have been reported to cause IMHA in cats although scientific evidence that proves the association. Some clinicians also recommend oral melatonin as an adjunctive therapy for management of IMHA.
In cats because IMHA commonly occurs secondary to M. Haemofelis infection and because this organism can be hard to identify on blood smears treatment with doxycycline or pradofloxacin in addition to glucocorticoids is often commenced at presentation while confirmatory PCR results are pending. Another cause of low red blood cell count is autoimmune hemolytic anemia AIHA also called Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia or IMHA which occurs when the body destroys its own red blood cells.
There are two types of AIHA the primary type is not as common in cats and occurs when the body mistakenly attacks it own healthy red blood cells. Causes of secondary IMHA in cats include FIV infections Feline leukemia infections FIP and Cytauxzoon felis infections. Various types of cancers and inflammatory disorders can cause IMHA in both dogs and cats.
Certain drug administration can cause secondary IMHA. The most common cause of hemolytic anemia in cats has long thought to be secondary to infectious diseases neoplasia and toxins. While these infectious and non-infectious diseases should be considered in cats presenting with hemolytic anemia primary hemolytic anemia may be more common in these cats than historically thought.
Azathioprine can cause severe bone marrow and hepatic intoxication in cats and its use is contraindicated13 Rules of thumb for treating dogs and cats with IMHA These guidelines should help you avoid some of the common mistakes that occur in managing IMHA. Treat the treatable especially if the therapy is unlikely to cause harm. There is an underlying cause for this type of IMHA.
Underlying causes that can expose the membrane may include neoplasia cancer such as lymphoma feline leukemia virus reactions to drugs toxins and red blood cell parasites such as Mycolplasma hemofelis also known as Hemobartonella. Secondary IMHA is more common in cats. Vaccine-associated immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in the dog.
Vaccination has been incriminated as a trigger of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia IMHA in dogs and in people but evidence to support this association is lacking. In a controlled retrospective study idiopathic IMHA was identified in 58 dogs over a 27-month period. What Causes IMHA.
IMHA in cats is most commonly caused by either the feline leukemia virus or an infection with a red blood cell parasite called hemobartonella felis. IMHA can also be caused by drug side effects toxins or cancer. Cuterebriasis is a Parasite Causing Skin Infections in Dogs and Cats.
Cystotomy for Bladder Stones in Dogs and Cats. In contrast to dogs immune-mediated hemolytic anemia is rarely seen in cats and occurs most often secondary to an underlying infectious neoplastic or inflammatory process Clinical symptoms are often vague and are caused by severe anemia and the effect of hypoxia on organ systems Laboratory abnormalities in cats with IMHA are comparable to those seen in dogs with the exception of. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia IMHA occurs when your cats immune system mistakenly destroys red blood cells which are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
Regenerative anemia is caused by acute or sudden blood loss due to an injury parasites infection or a serious illness such as cancer. This form of anemia typically occurs in younger cats.