Symptoms of anemia due to iron deficiency in cats usually vary depending on several factors including the severity of anemia, the cat’s age, weight, and medical history. Untreated, anaemia can be a debilitating disease, and if severe can be life-threatening. Unfortunately, cats are particularly prone to the development of anaemia. This is partly because their RBCs have a shorter lifespan (around 70 days) than many other animals (around 110-120 days in dogs and humans) – this means they have a higher turnover of RBCs and anaemia can, therefore, develop quite rapidly if anything interferes with this. Also, cats suffer from a number of different diseases and infections that can cause anaemia. Types of anaemia

Shake well before use. May be fed directly from the dropper, added to drinking water or mixed with food. As the iron requirement of adult cats hasn't been studied, there is no defined minimum requirement, and the recommended amount is the same as the one of kittens.Regular veterinary care also plays an important role in anemia prevention. Make sure your cat sees the vet at least once a year and, if your cat is older, talk to your vet about regularly screening him for kidney disease so that you can identify the condition early if it does occur. Sweetlouise / Pixabay Your cat’s prognosis Iron is a mineral or–more precisely–a micromineral, also called a trace element because it’s present in the body in very small amounts: generally 0.005% of the body weight. Iron deficiency occurs when either the dietary intake is insufficient for the body’s requirement or when there is chronic blood loss. The latter may be caused by various diseases (especially those affecting the blood), while the former is often the result of a vegetarian or home-cooked diet. Table 1 lists the current iron RDAs for nonvegetarians. The RDAs for vegetarians are 1.8 times higher than for people who eat meat. This is because heme iron from meat is more bioavailable than nonheme iron from plant-based foods, and meat, poultry, and seafood increase the absorption of nonheme iron [ 5]. Ferrocat B12 liquid Iron nutritional supplement is specially blended and fortified with Multivitamins and Amino acids. Ferrocat B12 is especially helpful in cats with nutritional deficiencies, helps to stimulate immune system, stimulate appetite and development.

For more information about building a healthy dietary pattern, refer to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA's MyPlate. Kerr, K. R., Kappen, K. L., Garner, L. M., & Swanson, K. S. (2014). Commercially available avian and mammalian whole prey diet items targeted for consumption by managed exotic and domestic pet felines: macronutrient, mineral, and long-chain fatty acid composition. Zoo biology, 33(4), 327–335. That being said, some cats may not even show symptoms. Moreover, discovering that a cat suffers from anemia due to iron deficiency is often incidental.The functional deficits associated with IDA include gastrointestinal disturbances; weakness; fatigue; difficulty concentrating; and impaired cognitive function, immune function, exercise or work performance, and body temperature regulation [ 15, 43]. In infants and children, IDA can result in psychomotor and cognitive abnormalities that, without treatment, can lead to learning difficulties [ 2, 43]. Some evidence indicates that the effects of deficiencies early in life persist through adulthood [ 2]. Because iron deficiency is often accompanied by deficiencies of other nutrients, the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency can be difficult to isolate [ 2]. Groups at Risk of Iron Inadequacy

Much like the treatment options, the prognosis for cats with anemia depends on the underlying reason for their condition and their overall health. For most cats who get diagnosed early and are otherwise healthy, chances are high that they will fully recover. In severe cases, however, anemia can be fatal. If a cat has cancer or an autoimmune disease, has ingested a serious toxin, or has suffered a traumatic injury, the prognosis is less favorable. Heinz Body Anemia: A condition in which the oxidation of the red blood cell is interfered with, creating a low blood cell count. A variety of treatments may be used depending on the specific underlying cause of the anaemia, and these may include antibiotics for some infectious causes (such as Mycopalsma haemofelis), immunosuppressive drugs (such as corticosteroids) if there is immune-mediated destruction of RBCs, iron supplementation for iron deficiency anaemia etc. While home treatments can be helpful, it’s important to always work closely with your vet when managing your cat’s health and to also inform your vet about any home treatments you’re trying. Some treatments might conflict with or reduce the effectiveness of the treatments your vet prescribes, so be sure to always update your vet before changing your cat’s diet or other lifestyle elements.Mild deficiency or storage iron depletion: Serum ferritin concentrations and levels of iron in bone marrow decrease. Chronic Disease: Conditions like chronic kidney disease can interfere with nutrient absorption and utilization, sometimes making supplementation necessary. Not all iron supplements are equal to each other depending on the form of the iron. Chelated iron (iron bisglycinate), which is iron chemically bound to an amino-acid, has a better absorption than iron salt like ferrous iron (Iron(II) ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate…) which are themselves better than ferric iron (Iron(III)). You’ll also need to pay attention to the iron amount in the capsule as it will vary from one brand to another. I generally recommend using the brand Solgar or NOW Food.[2] The FNB has established ULs for iron from food and supplements based on the amounts of iron that are associated with gastrointestinal effects following supplemental intakes of iron salts (see Table 3). The ULs apply to healthy infants, children, and adults. Physicians sometimes prescribe intakes higher than the UL, such as when people with IDA need higher doses to replenish their iron stores [ 5]. Table 3: Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for Iron [ 5] Age However, there are two different forms of iron: heme iron, a kind of iron bound to heme proteins, and non-heme iron. [2]

Anemia can be a frightening diagnosis, but your cat’s prognosis will depend on the type and severity of his anemia, as well as any conditions that may be causing it. Many anemic cats do well with appropriate treatment, especially if the anemia is caught early on, but your vet will be able to provide you with specific information about your cat’s condition. If your cat’s anemia is the result of a condition like cancer or an autoimmune disease, the prognosis may not be favorable. National Research Council. 2006. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Physical symptoms are easier to spot. A cat with flea anemia will show physical and behavioral symptoms. Physical symptoms are generally easier to spot because you can see hard evidence. Pale gums are some of the biggest flea anemia symptoms. Make sure to know the normal color of your cat’s gums, so you can immediately spot when the color has changed. Look at their stool as well. Your cat may have flea anemia if her stool is dark or has dark blood in it. A cat suffering from a health condition, not just flea anemia, will also suffer from weight loss. Gastric acid plays an important role in the absorption of nonheme iron from the diet. Because proton pump inhibitors, such as lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec), reduce the acidity of stomach contents, they can reduce iron absorption [ 3]. Treatment with proton pump inhibitors for up to 10 years is not associated with iron depletion or anemia in people with normal iron stores [ 109] but patients with iron deficiency taking proton pump inhibitors can have suboptimal responses to iron supplementation [ 110]. Iron and Healthful Diets Iron deficiency progresses from depletion of iron stores (mild iron deficiency), to iron-deficiency erythropoiesis (erythrocyte production), and finally to iron deficiency anemia (IDA) [ 8, 9]. With iron-deficiency erythropoiesis (also known as marginal iron deficiency), iron stores are depleted and transferrin saturation declines, but hemoglobin levels are usually within the normal range. IDA is characterized by low hemoglobin concentrations, and decreases in hematocrit (the proportion of red blood cells in blood by volume) and mean corpuscular volume (a measure of erythrocyte size) [ 2, 10].

Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency Anemia In Cats

A common iron supplement that’s meant for cats is Pet-Tinic (Pfizer Animal Health), containing 12.5 mg of iron in a single tablespoon. For adequate iron supplementation in the case of iron deficiency, a cat will need to consume between 4 to 8 tablespoons of the product per day. However, before reaching toxic levels of iron, a diet high in iron can have negative consequences such as reducing the absorption of zinc and copper. [2][3] For animal consumption only. Follow label instructions. Do not exceed suggested dosage. Not meant to treat or cure illnesses. Consult with a veterinarian before using this product, in case of pre-existing conditions or using in addition to other supplements to avoid overdose. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 1 mg/kg daily iron supplementation for exclusively or primarily breastfed full-term infants from age 4 months until the infants begin eating iron-containing complementary foods, such as iron-fortified cereals [ 20]. Standard infant formulas containing 10 to 12 mg/L iron can meet the iron needs of infants for the first year of life. The Academy recommends 2 mg/kg/day iron supplementation for preterm infants age 1 to 12 months who are fed breast milk. While a balanced diet can provide adequate iron for most cats, those with specific health conditions causing anemia might need supplements. It’s essential to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best course of action.