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19 – THE PYREXIC CAT 391

Fluoroquinolones also may be effective. Clinical signs
While clinical signs resolve, bacteremia is usually only Primary immune-mediated disease is extremely rare
temporarily suppressed. in cats.
Stimulation from primary infectious disease antigens is
Prognosis the most common cause of immune-mediated disease
in cats, and is most often associated with hemobar-
B. henselae has very low pathogenicity in cats.
tonella (mycoplasma) and calicivirus.
Once cleared of infection, cats are resistant to re-infection
Systemic lupus erythematosus is rare in cats. A mul-
by innoculation, but are still susceptible if transmitted
titude of signs may occur including fever, weight loss
via blood transfusion.
and cutaneous lesions.
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia is most com-
Transmission
monly associated with hemobartonellosis. Signs
Transmission is via arthropod vectors. In endemic include anemia, icterus, fever and anorexia. Cats with
areas, cats infested with fleas and/or ear mites are immunosuppressive disorders such as FeLV may be
more likely to be seropositive. more susceptible.
The organism survives in flea feces for at least 9 days. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is rarely
reported in cats. FeLV-positive cats, however, may have
Because of the frequency of bacteremia in healthy cats,
thrombocytopenia that is thought to be the result of an
blood transfusions are a likely route of infection.
immune-mediated response.
Immune-mediated polyarthritis is uncommon in
IMMUNE-MEDIATED DISEASE
cats, but has been documented in kittens and adult cats
with post-calicivirus vaccination.
Classical signs
● Fever.
● Anemia or thrombocytopenia.
● Cutaneous lesions.
● Polyarthritis.

RECOMMENDED READING

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Greene CE. Bacterial diseases; fungal diseases; and protozoal diseases. In: Greene CE (ed) Infectious Diseases of the
Dog and Cat. 2nd edn. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Co., 1998, pp 179–509.
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