Feline babesiosis: signalment, clinical pathology and concurrent infections

Fifty-six cats with naturally occurring Babesia felis infection were studie d. No breed or sex predilection could be identified, but there was an appar ent predilection for young adult cats less than 3 years of age. Macrocytic, hypochromic, regenerative anaemia was present in 57 % of the cats and in-s aline agglutination tests were positive in 16 %. No characteristic changes were observed in total or differential leukocyte counts. Thrombocyte counts were variable and thrombocytopaenia was an inconsistent finding. Hepatic c ytosol enzyme activity and total bilirubin concentrations were elevated in the majority of cats. Serum protein values were mostly normal, but increase d values were occasionally observed and polyclonal gammopathies were observ ed in all cats with increased total globulin concentrations. No remarkable changes in renal parameters were observed. A variety of electrolyte abnorma lities occurred in a number of cats, but no consistent pattern of change co uld be identified. A close correlation was evident between peripheral and c entral parasite counts. Concurrent infections with Haemobartonella felis, f eline immunodeficiency virus and/or feline leukemia virus were identified i n a number of cats.