Four Common Causes of Feline Anemia

By D Swain

Feline anemia develops when there are not enough red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body. It is a symptom of disease, but is not a disease itself. Let's take a look at some of the most common causes of feline anemia.

Kidney Disease

One of the most common causes of anemia is kidney disease. The kidneys are responsible for producing a hormone called erythropoietin. This hormone stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells. When there are not enough hormones to stimulate red blood cell production, your cat will develop feline anemia.

Parasites

Parasites can also cause your cat to develop anemia. These parasites sometimes destroy red blood cells. The most common culprits include hookworms, ticks, and fleas.

Trauma

One of the next causes is a traumatic injury. Some injuries can cause damage to your cat's internal organs. Some forms of trauma can also sever one or more blood vessels. Both of these conditions will cause blood loss and anemia.

Viruses

Another cause of feline anemia is a viral infection. There are two common viruses to blame, namely the feline leukemia and immunodeficiency virus. Other diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disease are also common causes. This condition can also result if your cat ingests certain chemicals or toxins.

There are many different things that can cause feline anemia. Kidney disease is one of the most common. Parasites such as ticks, fleas, and hookworms can also destroy red blood cells. A traumatic injury such as a car accident is another cause of anemia.

As a cat owner, you want to keep your special friend as healthy as possible. To learn more about various cat illnesses such as feline hyperesthesia syndrome, stop by cat-illnesses.com