Neonatal isoerythrolysis
Encyclopedia
Neonatal isoerythrolysis, also known as hemolytic icterus, is a disease found in kitten
s and foal
s. It occurs when the mother has antibodies
against the blood type
of the newborn. In cats, the antibodies are already present in the queen's blood before parturition. The blood group antigens are similar in structure to the antigen of a common bacteria in the gut of cats leading to antibody formation. In horses, these antibodies are formed when there is mixing of maternal and fetal blood, normally during parturition, leaving only subsequent foals at risk. The condition in horses is similar to hemolytic disease of the newborn
in humans. In both cases, immunoglobulins are produced in the colostrum
. During the first 24 hours of the neonate's life its gut absorbs all of the mother's antibodies that are passed in colostrum
. Kittens and foals obtain the majority of their immune response from the colostrum. They are not born with a strong immune response. When they absorb the mother's antibodies against their blood type it causes lysis of the red blood cell
s leading to anemia
. Symptoms include lethargy, pale mucus membranes, and blood in the urine.
In the kitten this is referred to as fading kitten syndrome.
Animals suffering from this disease must be taken to a veterinarian
immediately.
Blood typing can be performed before breeding and parturition to determine if this will be a problem.
Kitten
A kitten is a juvenile domesticated cat.The young of big cats are called cubs rather than kittens. Either term may be used for the young of smaller wild felids such as ocelots, caracals, and lynx, but "kitten" is usually more common for these species....
s and foal
Foal
A foal is an equine, particularly a horse, that is one year old or younger. More specific terms are colt for a male foal and filly for a female foal, but these terms are used until the horse is age three or four. When the foal is nursing from its dam , it may also be called a suckling...
s. It occurs when the mother has antibodies
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
against the blood type
Blood type
A blood type is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells . These antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins, or glycolipids, depending on the blood group system...
of the newborn. In cats, the antibodies are already present in the queen's blood before parturition. The blood group antigens are similar in structure to the antigen of a common bacteria in the gut of cats leading to antibody formation. In horses, these antibodies are formed when there is mixing of maternal and fetal blood, normally during parturition, leaving only subsequent foals at risk. The condition in horses is similar to hemolytic disease of the newborn
Hemolytic disease of the newborn
Hemolytic disease of the newborn, also known as hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, HDN, HDFN, or erythroblastosis fetalis, is an alloimmune condition that develops in a fetus, when the IgG molecules produced by the mother pass through the placenta...
in humans. In both cases, immunoglobulins are produced in the colostrum
Colostrum
Colostrum is a form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals in late pregnancy. Most species will generate colostrum just prior to giving birth...
. During the first 24 hours of the neonate's life its gut absorbs all of the mother's antibodies that are passed in colostrum
Colostrum
Colostrum is a form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals in late pregnancy. Most species will generate colostrum just prior to giving birth...
. Kittens and foals obtain the majority of their immune response from the colostrum. They are not born with a strong immune response. When they absorb the mother's antibodies against their blood type it causes lysis of the red blood cell
Red blood cell
Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate organism's principal means of delivering oxygen to the body tissues via the blood flow through the circulatory system...
s leading to anemia
Anemia
Anemia is a decrease in number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin...
. Symptoms include lethargy, pale mucus membranes, and blood in the urine.
In the kitten this is referred to as fading kitten syndrome.
Animals suffering from this disease must be taken to a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
immediately.
Blood typing can be performed before breeding and parturition to determine if this will be a problem.