Document Type : Case Study
Authors
1
Urban Animal Pet Care Clinic, Jl. Cibeunying Kolot No.66, Cigadung, Cibeunying Kaler, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat, 40191, Indonesia
2
Veterinary Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjajaran Sumedang, Indonesia
3
Veterinary Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Padjajaran University, Indonesia
4
Urban Animal Pet Care ClinicUrban Animal Pet Care Clinic, Jl. Cibeunying Kolot No.66, Cigadung, Cibeunying Kaler, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat, 40191, Indonesia
5
Biotechnology Study Program, Graduate School Universitas Padjadjaran, Jalan Dipati Ukur No.35 Bandung, Jawa Barat, 40132, Indonesia.
6
Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Wijaya Kusuma Surabaya, Dukuhpakis, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, 60225, Indonesia.
7
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wijaya Kusuma Surabaya University, Dukuhpakis, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, 60225, Indonesia.
8
Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embriology, Veterinary Medicine Program Study, Faculty of Medicine, Riau University, Riau, Indonesia
9
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University
10.66224/ari.2026.372705.4115
Abstract
Background: Severe regenerative anemia in cats is commonly associated with infectious agents affecting erythrocytes, particularly hemotropic mycoplasmas, which remain an important but often underrecognized cause of systemic illness in stray populations. Diagnosis is often challenging due to nonspecific clinical signs and overlapping presentations with other infectious or inflammatory diseases, emphasizing the importance of accurate and timely diagnostic approaches. Case Description: A 3.1 kg intact stray domestic shorthair cat was presented with lethargy, anorexia, intermittent fever, and persistent upper respiratory signs following a history of cat fighting and abscess formation. Physical examination revealed poor body condition, pale mucous membranes, and heavy ectoparasite infestation with Ctenocephalides felis. Serial hematological evaluations demonstrated severe regenerative anemia accompanied by leukocytosis and inflammatory leukogram changes, while serum biochemical analysis indicated mild hyperbilirubinemia and hyperglobulinemia consistent with hemolysis and chronic inflammation. Thoracic radiography showed no significant cardiopulmonary abnormalities. Results: Molecular diagnostic testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed Mycoplasma haemofelis infection, while feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline herpesvirus-1, feline calicivirus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Chlamydia felis were not detected. Despite supportive and antimicrobial therapy during hospitalization, clinical improvement remained limited, and further monitoring could not be continued after the owner elected to discontinue inpatient care. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of considering hemotropic mycoplasma infection as a differential diagnosis in stray cats with severe regenerative anemia and systemic illness, and emphasizes the role of early molecular diagnostics and comprehensive clinical evaluation in improving clinical decision-making and case management outcomes.
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