CATS · Condition guide
Feline haemoplasmosis: real veterinary cases
Feline haemoplasmosis (historically called feline infectious anaemia) is caused by Mycoplasma species — Mycoplasma haemofelis is the most pathogenic — that attach to red blood cells and trigger the immune system to destroy them. The result is regenerative haemolytic anaemia, often severe, with pale gums, lethargy, weakness, jaundice, and sometimes fever. Outdoor cats, FIV/FeLV-positive cats, and young male cats are at highest risk; transmission is thought to involve fleas and cat bites.
Diagnosis is by PCR on whole blood — far more sensitive than the old blood-smear method (organisms detach during slide prep). Treatment is doxycycline (often 4-6 weeks), supportive care (fluids, transfusion if PCV is critically low), and addressing co-infections (FeLV/FIV). Most cats respond well, but a chronic carrier state can persist and flare under stress.
What vets typically check for
- CBC — regenerative anaemia (low PCV, reticulocytes up), often with autoagglutination.
- Blood smear — Mycoplasma sometimes visible but PCR is far more sensitive.
- PCR on whole blood for M. haemofelis, M. haemominutum, M. turicensis.
- FeLV/FIV testing — co-infection is common and worsens prognosis.
- Doxycycline 5 mg/kg PO q12h for 2-4 weeks, with food to avoid oesophagitis.
Not a replacement for veterinary care. Use this to walk into the conversation prepared, not to self-diagnose.
Real cases from the veterinary literature
Peer-reviewed reports our semantic search surfaces for Feline haemoplasmosis (Mycoplasma anaemia). Click into any case for the full abstract — or run a personalised search with your pet's exact details.
- Treatment outcomes and prognostic indicators of primary immune thrombocytopenia in 31 cats: a multicenter retrospective study (2000-2023).
Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2026 · United Kingdom
A group of 31 cats diagnosed with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a rare condition that affects blood platelets, were treated with immunosuppressive medications to see how well they responded. Most of the cats (87%) survived their hospital stay, and 81% achieved a safe platelet count, but only about a third went into remission. Cats treated with a combination of corticos
- Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia in 17 Cats: A Case Series.
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association · 2026
A group of 17 cats diagnosed with primary immune thrombocytopenia (pITP), a condition that causes low platelet counts and can lead to bleeding, were treated with corticosteroids. Most of these cats showed signs of bleeding and had very low platelet counts at diagnosis. After starting treatment, 13 cats managed to increase their platelet counts significantly within a couple of w
- Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of hemotropic Mycoplasma in cats in fars province, Iran, and its association with blood groups and hematological alterations.
BMC veterinary research · 2026
A group of 109 domestic cats in southern Iran were tested for a type of blood infection called hemoplasmosis, which can affect their red blood cells. Out of these cats, 10 were found to have the infection, with males being more commonly affected. Cats with this infection showed lower red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels, indicating mild to moderate anemia. While the stud
- Investigation of Some Clinicopathologic Alterations in Cats Infected With Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum in Mashhad, Iran: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.
Veterinary medicine and science · 2026
A group of cats in Iran were tested for infections caused by two types of blood-borne bacteria, Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum. Out of 100 cats, 65% showed signs of infection under a microscope, while 23% tested positive through a more precise method. The infected cats had noticeable changes in their blood counts and other health markers, which cou
- Association of preoperative anemia on perioperative complications and short-term outcomes in cats undergoing subcutaneous ureteral bypass.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2026
A group of cats needing a special surgery called a subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) were studied to see how preoperative anemia (low red blood cell count) affected their recovery. Out of 196 cats, about 29% were anemic and were more likely to have low blood pressure during surgery. Although anemic cats had a harder time reducing their kidney waste levels after the procedure,
- Mycobacterium avium Infection in a Domestic Shorthair Cat Following Subdermal Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection.
Veterinary ophthalmology · 2026 · United States
A 5-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat developed swelling in her left eyelid and enlarged lymph nodes about two weeks after receiving a hyaluronic acid filler injection. Tests revealed she had a Mycobacterium avium infection, which didn't respond well to standard antibiotics. The vet tried a combination of clarithromycin and isoniazid, but these treatments were not e
Frequently asked questions
- How does my indoor cat catch it?
- Mostly through fleas (which is why year-round flea prevention matters even for indoor cats) or, less commonly, through aggressive contact with infected cats. Blood transfusions can also transmit it if donor cats aren't screened. Direct PCR screening of donor blood is standard at most clinics.
- Is it dangerous to my other cats?
- It can spread between cats via fleas or bite wounds. Treating affected cats, strict flea control, and avoiding direct cat-to-cat blood contact (preventing fighting) minimises spread.
- Does treatment cure it?
- Doxycycline resolves clinical disease in most cats, but some become latent carriers and can relapse during immunosuppression. Long-term, treated cats usually do well; severely anaemic cases may need transfusion to survive the acute phase.