Babesiosis in Cats
(Feline Babesiosis)
Feline Babesiosis generally presents as a chronic, low-grade disease.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms:
- Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
- Rough haircoat
- Pyrexia - uncommon (fever)
- Haemolytic anaemia (anaemias caused by the destruction of red blood cells)
- Mucous membrane pallor
- Haemoglobinuria (dark red, haemoglobin-containing urine)
- Icterus - uncommon (Jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes that is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood)
- Depression
- Anorexia (loss of appetite leading to weight loss)
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
- In severe cases: pulmonary oedema, hepatopathy (disorder of the liver), and central nervous system dysfunction
Mucous membrane pallor due to anaemia
Many clinical signs are secondary to haemolytic anaemia that results from intraerythrocytic infection by the piroplasms. Cats generally adapt to the anaemia and may only have mild clinical signs until they are stressed. Concurrent infection with Mycoplasma haemofelis, Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV), or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) may contribute to the clinical presentation and severity of disease.
Diagnostic Tests
Wright's- or Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Serologic testing has mainly been used to diagnose canine Babesiosis.
This technique cannot be used reliably in domestic cats because reference
intervals for Babesiosis-related serologic titres have not been established.
Treatment
A variety of experimental drugs have been used to treat experimental infections of B. felis in domestic cats. Trials have provided variable and questionable results. Studies have also suggested that repeated or chronic antiprotozoal therapy may be necessary to effectively treat feline Babesiosis.
Note for veterinarians: For a more exhaustive list of potential antiparasitic drugs, consult table 77-3 in Greene's Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat.
Vaccines
Currently an effective vaccine is not commercially available to protect cats against Babesiosis.
