Feline anaemia can arise from multiple causes including infectious disease, immune-mediated destruction, and chronic kidney disease, causing significant weakness and fatigue that impairs quality of life.
Anaemia causes profound weakness and exercise intolerance that severely impairs quality of life. Cats with significant anaemia may be unable to perform normal activities including grooming, accessing food, and using litter trays. In severe cases, hypoxia from reduced oxygen-carrying capacity causes respiratory distress. Identification and treatment of the underlying cause, combined with supportive care including transfusion where necessary, can achieve dramatic welfare improvement in many cases. Chronic anaemia management in CKD requires regular monitoring and proactive treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.