Anaemia in cats

Anaemia in cats is a condition where the body has a low number of healthy red blood cells. There are many different causes of anaemia in cats, including Feline Leukaemia Virus, chronic kidney disease and trauma.

Anaemia can be life-threatening, so it’s best to get your cat checked by a vet as soon as possible if they show any signs of this condition. However, it’s possible that cats can recover from anaemia, though some may need life-long medication, depending on the cause. Anaemia can affect cats of any age, but some causes are more likely at specific ages.

Overview

What is anaemia in cats?

Anaemia is a condition where cats have fewer circulating red blood cells and haemoglobin levels than normal. Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow and are then released into the circulation. Haemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that helps transport oxygen around the body.

In cats, anaemia can have many different causes, split into three main groups: blood loss, increased destruction and reduced production.

Blood loss anaemia

A reduction in red blood cell number due to the loss of blood somewhere in the body. This may be very obvious, but some causes may be less apparent and more tests are needed to investigate.

Common causes:

Trauma or injury
Infestation of parasites, usually in large numbers, such as fleas, worms and ticks
Conditions or toxins preventing clotting of the blood, such as rat poison
Ulcers
Tumours that are bleeding

Anaemia caused by destruction of red blood cells

This type of anaemia is caused by conditions that cause damage and breakdown of the red blood cells.

Common causes:

Auto-immune disease: known as IMHA (immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia)
Toxins: such as onion, garlic, paracetamol and some plants
Infections: such as FeLV and Mycoplasma
Cancer

Anaemia caused by reduced production in the bone marrow

Red blood cells are produced by the bone marrow. Diseases affecting this production can lead to a reduced number of red blood cells.

Common causes include:

Cancer
FeLV and FIV
Long-term diseases, such as chronic kidney disease
Nutritional problems, such as deficiencies in iron, copper and vitamin B and E
Bone marrow disease

Anaemia in cats can also be called:

Regenerative, if the bone marrow produces enough red blood cells to cope
Non-regenerative, if the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough red blood cells

Symptoms

Symptoms of anaemia in cats

The signs of anaemia in cats can be vague and also vary between cases as they depend on what is causing the anaemia. The signs also depend on the duration and severity of the underlying cause.

Common symptoms include:

Pale or white gums instead of normal pink colour
Lethargy: sleeping more and reduced exercise tolerance
Reduced appetite
Weight loss
Jaundice: yellow gums and eyes
Areas of skin bruising
Darker or black stools
Laboured and fast-breathing


Lethargy is a common sign of anaemia in cats

Risk

Are some cats more at risk of anaemia than others?

Kittens: higher risk of blood loss anaemia due to parasites such as worms and fleas

Travel: cats who travel abroad are at higher risk of infectious causes such as Babesia and Ehrlichia

Elderly cats: more at risk of cancerous causes of anaemia

Diagnosis

How is anaemia diagnosed in cats?

The first step to diagnosis is a full physical exam with your local vet. Your vet will take a comprehensive medical history, and this is an extremely important step in diagnosis. There may be signs on the exam that indicate the cause of the anaemia too.

Further tests to help diagnose anaemia include:

General blood tests: to check red blood cell level and other organ functions
Blood smear: can determine if the anaemia is regenerative or not
Clotting tests
Urine tests
Stool tests
Biopsy of the bone marrow
Imaging: x-rays, ultrasound and further imaging such as CT

One of the most important blood tests is the PCV (packed cell volume) or HCT (haematocrit). Normal levels should be 25-45% in cats; anaemia is when levels are lower than this. Extremely reduced levels will mean your cat will need a blood transfusion.

Vet treatment

What’s the treatment for anaemia in cats?

Treatment of anaemia in cats depends on the underlying cause. If the anaemia is severe, a blood transfusion may be needed. Other treatments include:

Surgery
Hospitalisation, including fluids
Immunosuppressive medications, such as steroids
Parasite control
Antibiotics
Chemotherapy
Bone marrow transfusion

Home treatment

How to look after a cat with anaemia at home

Any cat with anaemia will need to be seen and treated by a vet. It’s not a condition that can be treated solely at home. Once your cat has seen a vet, you can help at home by:

Giving any medication as advised by your vet
Allowing rest in a quiet and comfortable area
Making sure your cat is eating and drinking

Prevention

Tips on how to prevent anaemia in cats

Not all causes of anaemia in cats are preventable but you can help by:

Regularly using parasite control that covers fleas, ticks and worms
Keeping your cat up-to-date with their vaccinations
Speaking to a vet before travelling abroad to discuss how to minimise risks
Keeping toxins such as onion, garlic, and human medications well out of reach at home
Consider keeping your cat indoors at night and during bad weather, especially if you live in a busy area

Is my family at risk of catching anaemia?

Anaemia in cats is not a zoonotic disease, meaning it doesn’t spread to humans. There are some underlying causes that can affect humans, such as fleas and ticks. Read more about these conditions through the links and contact your GP if you have any concerns.

When to worry