173. Diseases of cats and dogs caused by haemotropic mycoplasmae.

Question 1

Clinical forms?

Answer 1

Clinical forms

• Reproduction problems
• Respiratory diseases
• Diseases caused by haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemobartonellosis

Question 2

Dog?

Answer 2

Dog

• M. canis, M. cynos, M. spumans : repro problems
• U. canigenitalium
• Reproduction disease
• Male dog: epididymitis, orhitis, infertility, preputium
• Bitch: vaginitis, metritis, salpingitis, infertility
• Mild respiratory signs, conjunctivitis

Question 3

Cat?

Answer 3

Cat

• M. felis: conjunctivitis, mild respiratory disease
• Diagnosis: detection of the agent or the Abs (same as other mycoplasmas)
• Treatment: tiamulin, macrolides, tetracycline

Question 4

Hemotropic mycoplasmas?

Answer 4

Haemobartonellosis of dogs & cats (feline/canine infectious anaemia) ʹ

Hemotropic mycoplasmas

• Feline infectious anaemia more frequent in cats than dogs!

Occurrence:

• worldwide

Aetiology:

• cat, dog
• Cat:
• Mycoplasma haemofelis (Haemobartonella felis)
• Mycoplasma haemominutum
• Dog:
• Mycoplasma haemocanis (Haemobartonella canis)
• Mycoplasma haemoparvum
• Replicate on RBCs
• anemia and jaundice
• Cannot be cultured on media

Question 5

Epidemiology?

Answer 5

Epidemiology

• Infection:
• arthropods (cat: flea; dog: tick),
• fighting, iatrogenic (blood),
• intra uterine, milk
• Transmitted with blood (on surface of RBCs)
• 1-3 year-old tom-cats
• Frequently secondary (leukosis, distemper) due to immunosuppression

Question 6

Pathogenesis?

Answer 6

Pathogenesis

• Attached to the membrane of the RBC
• Damage of RBCs, haemoglobin released
• Surface structure changes on RBC, regarded as foreign material in the blood auto antibodies are produced agglutinated blood
• Macrophages clear the agent from RBCs, RBC lifespan shorter
• Immune suppression
• Anaemia, jaundice (due to increased breakdown of the Hb)
• Long carriage

Question 7

Clinical signs Pathology diagnosis epidemiology treatment?

Answer 7

Clinical signs

• Cats: fever, anorexia, tired, heart rate, breath rate increased, anaemia, jaundice, weightloss
• Dog: less frequent, depressed, haemolytic anaemia, jaundice ,milder CS in dogs

Pathology:

• enlarged spleen,
• lymph nodes;
• anaemia, jaundice

Diagnosis:

• need etiological diagnosis

Epidemiology

• clinical signs, post mortem lesions
• Detection of the agent: staining (repeated), IF, autoagglutination of RBCs (even seen with naked eye)

Treatment:

• tetracyclines,
• blood transfusion