HEMOPARASITES

Hemoparasites Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasma: Formerly known as Hemobartonella Felis Parasites that attach to the outside of the RBC and result in hemolytic anemia Small, gram-negative bacteria that lack a cell wall and infect a variety of mammalian species Three types have been identified, hemofelis sp., candidatus hemominutum and candidatus turicensis

Hemoparasites FHM: 14.5% healthy client owned cats are + 28% sick cats are positive Risk factors: access to outdoors, fleas, male gender, <4-6 years of age, summer months, FELV+, cat bite abscesses Transmission through fleas, possibly ticks and lice Biting, blood transfusion

Hemoparasites FHM: Regenerative anemia, unless concurrent with FELV Every anemic cat should be evaluated for FHM microscopically Form chains or rings across the surface of the RBC membrane Can be mistaken for stain precipitate, Howell-Jolly bodies, basophilic stippling, reticulocytes, etc. Should be confirmed with further testing for organism

Hemoparasites

Hemoparasites Cytauxzoon felis: serious, often fatal, protozoal disease affecting domestic cats in the south central and southeastern portions of the United States The natural reservoir host of C. felis is the North American bobcat Ticks are believed to be the natural vector for this organism Erythrocytic and leukocytic

Hemoparasites CF: parasites may appear as round to oval "signet rings" , bipolar, oval, "safety pin" forms, tetrad forms; or anaplasmoid round "dots“ May have a small, peripherally-located nucleus that stains dark red to purple with off- white to light blue cytoplasm when using Giemsa stain. Small amount of parasites on RBCs, the majority are found on fine needle aspirates of spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow

Hemoparasites Babesia canis, gibsonii: Protozoal organisms that parasitize erythrocytes, causing anemia in the host Transmission- tick vector, blood to blood contact (bite wounds) Babesia canis: teardrop shape in RBC, greyhounds Babesia gibsonii: ring or coccoid object in RBC, pit bulls Causes hemolytic anemia

Hemoparasites Babesia gibsonii Babesia canis

Hemoparasites Anaplasma marginale: Formerly Ehrlichia sp. Tick vector, blood transfusion Bacteria-like, causes severs hemolytic anemia

Hemoparasites

Hemoparasites Microfilaria: Dirofilaria immitis Vector is the mosquito Tapered ends Indicates the presence of adult female worms Can cause damage to RBCs in vessel