Anemia is a cat health issue that many cat owners deal with.
It is usually noticed first when the cat yawns and you see its normally pink mouth is a little whiter than usual.
Other symptoms you may notice include a pale tongue and pale gums around it's teeth.
If you notice these things odds are your cat may have anemia.
Other things you can check to determine if your pet has anemia is to look at the conjunctiva, the pink area around the eyes.
If they appear to be pale or have a transparent tone instead of being light pink in color, you may well be dealing with anemia.
If you find these symptoms you may then want to have a vet check your pet over to get a proper diagnosis.
Anemia will affect your cat's mood making them weak, listless and lethargic.
Other symptoms you may see include shallow breathing, fever and discolored urine.
Veterinarians can determine anemia by taking some blood and doing a blood count.
This checks the amount of red blood cells and other data.
Some vets will also complete a test for Feline Leukemia Virus also to help determine the problem.
If the vet finds abnormal readings this may be the indicator of anemia.
Always remember that at times the cat may look healthy to you but still be anemic.
Anemia appears with different severity.
The more extreme cases of anemia may be deadly to your loving pet.
To avoid having bad scenarios with anemia in your cat you should take care of your cats health by getting routine checkups.
Early detection and prevention are key factors in protecting your pet.
Anemia is caused by a reduction in the number of red blood cells produced by the bone marrow or a reduction in the amount of circulating cells.
In severe cases your cat may need a transfusion which also includes making sure that the blood your pet is receiving is a compatible blood type.
In less severe cases your cat may be treated with medicine and diet.
Erythropoietin replacement is used for cats with chronic kidney failure.
Other types of anemia may be caused by cancers or terminal infections that are not treated effectively.
Monitor your cats health routinely to enjoy a long happy life together.