Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Fufang E’Jiao Jiang as Supportive Treatment in Anaplasmosis Management of a British Shorthair Cat

Abstract

Anaplasmosis, caused by obligate gram-negative intracellular parasitic bacteria Anaplasma sp., is a serious disease affecting both domestic and wild animals. In summary, Anaplasmosis is a serious disease that requires prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment. The presented case highlights the importance of a comprehensive treatment plan in managing the disease and the potential benefit of incorporating traditional Chinese herbal medicine into the treatment regimen. In this case, a female British Short Hair cat, weighing 2.29 kg and aged one year and eight months, presented with symptoms including lethargy, loss of appetite, and sneezing. Physical examination of the cat revealed several abnormalities including an increase in body temperature, capillary refill time of more than two seconds, slow skin turgor, pale eye mucosa and gums, and rales in breathing. Routine hematology examination results indicated the presence of hypochromic macrocytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, while blood biochemistry results revealed an increase in globulin and aspartate aminotransferase levels and a decrease in the albumin/globulin ratio. The examination of blood smear preparations showed intracytoplasmic inclusions (morula) of the blood parasite Anaplasma sp. The cat received a comprehensive treatment regimen including an infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride, doxycycline antibiotics, acetylcysteine mucolytic drugs, ornipural® hepatoprotector vitamin, and traditional Chinese herbal medicine Fufang E'Jiao Jiang (FEJ). Despite seven days of hospitalization, the cat's condition did not improve, and the hematocrit examination results continued to decline. As a result, a blood transfusion was performed, and the FEJ treatment was continued. After the transfusion, the cat's condition improved significantly, and on the 20^th day, the cat was discharged from the hospital. Based on the results of the hematological examination which improved after blood transfusions, the supportive treatment with FEJ was quite promising. In addition, this study is a preliminary report and it is suggested to carry out large-scale clinical trials with various doses.