HAEMOBARTONELLA FELIS AS A CAUSE OF INFEC TIOUS-ANEMIA IN A CAT IN CROATIA

A two year old tomcat was presented with signs of depression and a phl egmon on the right front paw. After an initial response to therapy wit h penicillin, the body temperature rose after three days to 41 degrees C. Additionally, the patient was anaemic and had icterus and tachypno e. Microscopical inspection of Pappenheim-stained blood smears reveale d numerous blue-stained, round to ovoid particles associated with the red cell membranes. After initiating therapy with terramycin the sympt oms improved, but after two relapses the animal died. Based on the typ ical clinical, haematological and pathologic-anatomical findings the d iagnosis ''infectious anaemia caused by Haemobartonella felis'' was ma de. The infection was probably caused by flea and tick infestation.