Pyroplasmosis in cats: treatment and prevention

With the onset of spring and warm weather, mites begin to wake after hibernation. Slightly warmed up in the sun, they begin to look for the victim - a warm-blooded animal. From bites of parasites, people and pets suffer. However, the tick bite itself is not dangerous, it is not toxic, but along with saliva the blood-sucking parasite can transmit various pathogens of the disease. So, for example, and there is pyroplasmosis in cats.

What is pyroplasmosis?

Pyroplasmosis in cats is a very severe acute (or chronic) invasive disease. It is caused by the simplest microorganism Babesia felis. But not every kind of ticks is dangerous. The carrier of the disease are only ticks Dermacentor pictus, Dermacentor marginatus and some other species. In nature, ticks mites live on small rodents: mice, rats, voles.

For a long time it was believed that cats are not affected by this disease, but modern studies have shown that cats suffer from pyroplasmosis, but are much less likely to have dogs.

The first peak of the disease occurs in the early spring and early summer (April to June), the second - in the fall (September to October). But there are cases of infection in the middle of summer.

What happens after a bite?

After biting an ixodic tick, pyroplasms penetrate the blood. Further they are introduced into the red blood corpuscles-erythrocytes and begin active reproduction. Since red cells are responsible for the transfer of oxygen, after their destruction occurs oxygen starvation of the body. Also, the body simply does not have time to process and withdraw a huge amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Because of this, the formation of bilirubin - a very toxic product of the decomposition of hemoglobin. Its accumulation in the blood leads to poisoning of the body, damage to the kidneys, liver, nervous system. Since this happens quite quickly, an adult animal can fall into a coma just a few days after infection.

Symptoms of the disease

It is very difficult to pierce pyroplasmosis in cats. Symptoms accompanying the disease, appear after a few (3 to 7) days after the bite of an ixodid tick. The cat becomes sluggish, apathetic, refuses to feed. The temperature rises, breathing becomes frequent and restless, the mucous mouth acquires a yellowish hue. During fever, the temperature can reach 41 degrees. Urine becomes brown or coffee-colored, the mucous membrane of the eyelids turns pale or turns blue. Possible diarrhea, vomiting.

When the disease is overcaused, the animal can die in 2-3 days. However, pyroplasmosis has the property of passing into a chronic form. In this case, the clinical signs are not pronounced, erased. There is a small temperature, lethargy, general weakness, pale mucous membranes, vomiting, loose stools.

Establishing diagnosis

The veterinarian diagnoses pyroplasmosis in cats. First, an animal is examined to detect mites on the body. After that, laboratory tests are assigned. The most reliable and informative is the detection of pyroplasm in the blood smear. And repeat the test several times to get a 100% result. Additionally, urine tests are submitted.

Treatment of pyroplasmosis

Treatment of the disease is a very long and complicated process, which can be prescribed only by a qualified doctor. In the treatment there are two directions. First, the destruction of pyroplasm in the animal's body, and secondly, the removal of intoxication as a result of their vital activity. As a rule, vitamins, medicines for the heart and liver functions are used.

As an annihilator of the parasite antimalarial agent is used, which, despite its effectiveness, has a lot of side effects, which further weakens the exhausted cat organism. Also, the appointment of "Doxycycline", "Gamavita". The latter supports immunity, normalizes the picture of blood, reduces the level of toxic substances in the blood.

Prevention of disease

The main preventive measures are treatment of the animal with acaricidal means and prevention of bites of ixodid ticks. The preparations can be in the form of a spray (they start to act immediately after treatment) and in the form of drops on the withers (a day is required for activation). Also prevent pyroplasmosis in cats will help protective shampoos and acaricidal collars.

Do not let the cat walk in an unfamiliar place or forest, after a walk carefully examine the animal - it is difficult to see the mites under the thick wool.

In addition, there are vaccines for pyroplasmosis, but their effectiveness has not yet been proven reliably.

So, modern scientists were able to get an answer to the question: "Do cats suffer from pyroplasmosis?". Unfortunately, this answer is positive. Therefore, during the activation of ticks, cat owners should pay great attention to the prevention of this serious disease, the outcome of which can be lethal.