What is Hemobartinella and how does it affect a cats FeLV+ status?
Hemobart (Feline Hemobatonellosis or Feline Infectious Anemia) is caused by a microscopic parasite (Ricksettia or Hemobartonella Telis). This parasite likes red blood cells and attaches to them. The animal’s system realizes the red blood cells have been altered and sends them to the spleen to be destroyed causing anemia which further compromises a FeLV+ cat’s system. This organism has a tendency to come and go in the bloodstream. Therefore, several blood tests may be necessary to get a confirmed diagnosis. Symptoms include pallor, depression, weight loss, decrease in appetite, anemia, and possible jaundice (also symptoms of Feline Leukemia). This is a contagious disease that is probably transmitted by blood sucking insects such as fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes (therefore, it is very important to control them) or from a mother cat to her kittens during pregnancy. It is also transmitted from bite wounds and blood transfusions. 1/3 of the cats infected will die from the infection. Cats that
