A Weird Bovine Red Blood Cell Parasite - Mycoplasma Wenyonii 🐂 🐄

Hemotropic mycoplasma affects multiple species. We most often think about it causing hemolytic anemia in cats, but do you know how it affects bovines clinically?

Spoiler alert: IT’S WEIRD.

Mycoplasma wenyonii can cause anemia in cattle too, but what’s super strange is that it causes hindlimb swelling as well as udder and scrotal swelling. This is really important when it comes to reproduction and production since it can cause decreased fertility in bulls and decreased milk production in cows. 🐂

This blood smear photo is a case of M. wenyonii I saw in a bull. Have you seen M. wenyonii before?