Feline haemoplasma infections – signs and treatment

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your cat has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Feline haemoplasma infections are infections caused by specialised bacteria called Mycoplasmas that infect red blood cells.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet to arrange an appointment
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet
  4. Let your cat rest somewhere calm

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine
  • Do not wait if it gets worse

What it is

Feline haemoplasma infections are caused by a group of specialised bacteria called Mycoplasmas that infect red blood cells.[1] A blood sample is taken to confirm the diagnosis, and infected cats should be checked for underlying illnesses including FeLV and FIV infection.[1]

Signs

  • Lethargy or tiredness
  • Weakness
  • Reduced appetite
  • Pale gums

Causes and risk factors

  • Mycoplasma haemofelis
  • Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum
  • Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis

How a vet finds out

  • A physical examination
  • A detailed history from you
  • A blood sample or blood tests
  • Checks for underlying illnesses, including FeLV and FIV infection

How vets treat it

  • Antibiotics
  • Corticosteroids or steroids may be used along with antibiotics
  • Blood transfusions may be needed in cats with severe anaemia

What the experts say

“Your cat will be treated with antibiotics. Occasionally, corticosteroids (glucocorticoids, steroids) are used along with antibiotics to prevent immune-mediated destruction of red blood cells. In cats with severe anaemia, blood transfusions may be needed.”

— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [1]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

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Common questions

What signs can feline haemoplasma infections cause?

Signs can include lethargy or tiredness, weakness, reduced appetite and pale gums.[1]

How does a vet find out if a cat has this infection?

A vet examines your cat, takes a detailed history from you and takes a blood sample to confirm the diagnosis.[1]

How may a vet treat feline haemoplasma infections?

A vet may use antibiotics. Corticosteroids may occasionally be used along with antibiotics, and blood transfusions may be needed in cats with severe anaemia.[1]

Sources

  1. International Cat Care (iCatCare)

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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