A young cat presents with acute hemolytic anemia and an ecto-cellular RBC parasite. What is the likely diagnosis and treatment?

The diagnosis of Mycoplasma haemofelis is supported by the presence of acute hemolytic anemia along with an ecto-cellular red blood cell parasite, which is characteristic of this particular organism. Mycoplasma haemofelis is a known blood parasite in cats that can cause significant hemolysis, leading to anemia.

The appropriate treatment for this condition is doxycycline, which is an effective antibiotic for targeting Mycoplasma infections. Doxycycline works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacterial pathogens, effectively reducing the population of the parasite and allowing the cat’s immune system to recover from the anemia.

In contrast, other options mention different pathogens that cause diseases with varying clinical manifestations. For instance, Babesia canis, while a valid concern in canine patients, typically does not present in cats as a common issue. Rickettsia rickettsii is associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever and is not typically related to ecto-cellular RBC parasites in cats. Leptospira is also primarily a concern in certain species and is not the cause of hemolytic anemia due to an ecto-cellular blood parasite in felines. Each of these alternatives involves incorrect pathogen-disease associations or treatments that are not appropriate for the