Clinical, haemato-biochemical and electrocardiographic studies in Persian breed cats with haemobartonellosis

Haemobartonellosis is one of the important diseases in cats caused by Haemobartonella felis which invades the erythrocytes. The present communication is to report the clinical, hematological, and electrocardiographic changes in Persian breed cats with haemobartonellosis in the YSR district of Andhra Pradesh, India. During the examined period, three cats with fever, pale mucus membranes, loss of body condition, cough, and delayed capillary refill time were found to be diagnosed with haemobartonellosis The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of pleomorphic parasites at the marginal parts of erythrocytes in stained blood smear examination. Hematology revealed low hemoglobin levels, total erythrocyte count, and packed cell volume. Serum biochemical analysis revealed low serum albumin, elevated ALT, and bilirubin. Electrocardiography revealed increased QRS amplitude, T wave duration, and QT interval. Cats were treated with doxycycline @ 10 mg/kg body weight once a day for 3 weeks, along with supportive medications. Clinical improvement was noticed by changes in appetite, mucosal color, vital parameters, the status of parasitemia, and haemogram.