Anemia is a disease that, if not treated in time, can be fatal for those who suffer from it. In the case of the cat, being a rather small animal and being too good at hiding pain and discomfort, we must pay close attention to any symptoms that may arise, because that is when we should take it to the vet as soon as possible.
To know more about the subject, we are going to tell you what types of anemia in cats are there and what is the treatment.
What types are there?
Anemia is a disease that occurs when there is a significant lack of red blood cells, or when these blood cells do not contain enough hemoglobin, which is a protein rich in iron. In the cat there are two types:
- Regenerative anemiaThis is when your body is losing more red blood cells than it can regenerate, but your bone marrow maintains the ability to create new ones.
- Non-regenerative anemia: is one in which the cat's body has lost the ability to manufacture red blood cells.
What Causes Anemia in Cats?
There are several causes:
- Internal bleeding
- Fleas
- Iron deficiency
- Feline leukemia
- peritonitis
- Renal disease
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of anemia are not always easy to detect, since the development of the disease is usually rather slow. Still, if we notice that your breath smells bad, who breathe fast, short and fast, and if it also has constant weakness, fever, and yellow skin, we must take him to the vet as soon as possible.
How is it treated?
Treatment will depend on the cause:
- If you have anemia from bleeding, you will receive a blood transfusion.
- If you lack nutrients, you should change the diet for a more nutritious one.
- If it is due to infection (such as parasites), it will be treated with antiparasitics, antibiotics and, in severe cases, blood transfusions.
I hope it has been useful to you.