Haemobartonellosis in Van Cats

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine prevalence of Haemobartonella felis in Van cats. 121 Van cats (82 female, 39 male, aged 1-9 years) were the materials of the study, To determine biochemical and haematological parameters, 2 ml blood with and without anticoagulant were taken according to technique from vena cephalica antebrachii. H. felis was detected in blood smears preparations of 18 (14:88%) by Papenheim staining. Among biochemical parameters aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and bilirubin were in normal range as well as the packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) counts. The infected cats were treated with oxytetracycline at 10 mg/kg dose intramuscularly (Geosol((R)) flacon, Vetas) or oral oxytetracycline at 10 mg/kg dose (Neoterramycine((R)) pow. Pfizer) for 15 days. After either above treatment blood smear preparations revealed negative for the rickettsia. In conclusion, potentially lethal infection of Haemobartonelia felis is prevalent in Van cats and can successfully be cured by oral or parenteral oxytetracycline application.