Feline haemoplasmosis (feline infectious anaemia) is caused by Mycoplasma bacteria infecting red blood cells. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can achieve good welfare outcomes in affected cats.
Haemoplasmosis welfare significance lies in the acute anaemia it causes. Severely anaemic cats experience breathlessness, profound weakness, and the distress of tissue hypoxia. Feline anaemia is an emergency — cats compensate until decompensation occurs suddenly and severely. Prompt diagnosis through PCR testing (more sensitive than blood smear) and immediate treatment with doxycycline, supported by blood transfusion in severe cases, is welfare-critical. Prevention through ectoparasite control (flea and tick prevention) and neutering to reduce fighting behaviour substantially reduces haemoplasmosis risk. FIV and FeLV testing should accompany haemoplasmosis diagnosis — concurrent infection worsens prognosis significantly.