Can fleas make my cat anemic?
Fleas and ticks drink animals’ blood to live and reproduce. When cats are heavily infested (particularly small cats or kittens), they can lose so much blood to these biting pests that they become anemic. In some cases, the condition is so severe that the cat can die.
Can fleas cause severe anemia?
Causes of Anemia For kittens, a major cause is flea infestations. Fleas and ticks feast on blood, which can be especially devastating to a tiny cat. The hookworm parasite, which feeds on blood, may cause anemia in cases of severe infestation.
How do you get rid of Sticktight fleas?
Sticktight fleas can be removed with tweezers by grasping and pulling firmly. An antibiotic ointment should be applied to the area to prevent infection. If fleas are too numerous to remove individually, a flea product registered for on-animal use should be applied according to label instructions.
When to take a kitten with Flea anemia to the vet?
Kittens and cats with flea anemia lack color in their gums. Press down on the gums of the cat, if it remains white for a while, anemia is likely so you should rush your feline to the veterinarian. One female flea eats 15 times her weight in blood every day. If your elderly cat or kitten is host to hundreds of fleas, that’s a lot of blood loss.
What happens if you have fleas on your cat?
As if the itching and stinging weren’t enough, fleas also transmit other conditions which can have a more deleterious effect on your cat’s health. Anemia: Unchecked infestations of fleas can actually cause anemia from blood loss; this can sometimes be fatal, particularly in kittens.
What can cause anemia in an older cat?
“In younger cats we tend to see issues such as flea infestation and blood parasites as a key driver of anemia. In older cats, the causes tend to shift toward chronic disease of any organ system—such as renal (kidney) disease.”
Why are fleas the leading cause of death in kittens?
If your elderly cat or kitten is host to hundreds of fleas, that’s a lot of blood loss. Many experts believe that flea anemia is the leading cause of death in kittens. Newborns and young kittens rely on their mother for grooming, and she’s busy with their litter mates.
Can cats become anemic from fleas?
Fleas are blood-sucking parasites, which means your pet can become anemic from biting fleas. Dogs and cats that become infected with Bartonella, are bitten by a flea that carries the parasite. Symptoms of a Bartonella infection include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and swelling of the lymph nodes.
What are the symptoms of anemia in cats?
Here are some of the most common symptoms of anemia in cats. Lethargy and Weakness: Because oxygen is required for normal bodily functions and anemia reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to body tissues, it can result in lethargy and weakness.
What is the treatment for anemia in cats?
Feline Anemia Treatment. The anemia in cats may be treated according to the type of anemia and the factor that causes the anemia. In severe cases, blood transfusions are needed. The vet may prescribe some nutrition supplements or a special diet to stimulate the formation of red blood cells. Iron supplements are commonly prescribed.
Is anemia contagious in cats?
Cats can experience anemia due to different factors ranging from simple hemorrhages to more serious contagious infections that should be treated specifically. Here are the most common causes of anemia in cats: Trauma or hemorrhage: if your pet has suffered a blow or accident. It may have lost a lot of blood or have suffered internal bleeding.