Chlamydia in cats and cats

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Chlamydia in cats is an infectious pathology transmitted more often by the respiratory route. The causative agent affects the eyes, respiratory organs and genitourinary system of the animal. It is introduced into the cells, which significantly complicates the treatment. The clinical picture of the disease is not always pronounced, sometimes this disease is asymptomatic. Because of this, a visit to the veterinarian is often delayed. However, without therapy, this pathology can lead to dangerous and serious complications. Therefore, every owner needs to be aware of the symptoms and treatment of chlamydia in cats.

Pathogen

Chlamydia is the causative agent of the disease. They belong to bacteria, but at the same time they can be integrated into the structure of cells and parasitize. This property brings them closer to viruses. Intracellular parasitism creates favorable conditions for the development of other pathogenic microbes. Therefore, chlamydia in cats is often complicated by secondaryinfection.

For cats, two microorganisms are pathogenic - this is chlamydia felis and chlamydia psitazi. Previously, these pathogens were considered one species, but now they are distinguished. Chlamydia felis is pathogenic for cats, but less dangerous for other animal species. This microorganism usually affects the conjunctiva, in more rare cases, the intestines, lungs and genitourinary system. Chlamydia psitatsi can be pathogenic not only for cats, but also for birds. It causes a disease similar to ornithosis with damage to the respiratory organs.

Transmission routes

A pet can get chlamydia from its fellow pets. Homeless animals often suffer from this disease. Chlamydia in cats is most often transmitted by airborne droplets. There is also a contact and sexual route of infection. However, such infections are more rare.

Chlamydia felis gets on the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract and genital organs of animals. The pathogen immediately invades the cells and begins to actively multiply. Chlamydia is then carried throughout the body through the bloodstream. They affect internal organs, joints, lymph nodes and the central nervous system.

A cat can also become infected with chlamydia by eating mice. However, even if the pet does not leave the apartment, the risk of infection cannot be completely excluded. The owner can accidentally bring chlamydia into the house on the soles of shoes or on clothes. The soil can be contaminated with secretions from the noses and eyes of animals. Also the person aftercontact with another sick cat can infect your pet.

Chlamydia psitazi cats usually get infected from birds while hunting. The risk group also includes pets living in rural areas, where people breed chickens, geese, ducks.

Cubs, cats with weak immune systems, and animals suffering from respiratory pathologies are especially susceptible to the disease.

Is a sick cat contagious to humans

Can you catch chlamydia from a cat? If you treat the animal and follow the rules of hygiene, then the likelihood of infection is very small. Such cases are extremely rare. However, infection cannot be completely ruled out.

You can become infected with chlamydia from a cat through contact with a sick pet if its secretions fall on the mucous membranes of the human eye or throat. But even then, people don't always get sick. Only persons with a very weak immune system or small children are susceptible to infection. Therefore, a child should not be allowed to communicate with a sick cat. Face to face contact with the animal should also be avoided.

Chlamydia in cats still poses a small danger to humans. In humans, this disease manifests itself in the form of conjunctivitis. Other organs are never affected. Pathology in humans is successfully cured with antibiotics.

Disease symptoms

Symptoms and treatment of chlamydia in cats depend on the form of the disease. The causative agent can affect different organs. Small kittens are especially sick.

Incubation periodis 7-10 days after infection. At this time, the cat's well-being is not disturbed in any way. Chlamydia is very rare in its pure form, usually a secondary bacterial infection always joins the disease.

Chlamydia eye is the most common. At the same time, the appetite and general condition of the pet are practically not disturbed. The temperature also usually remains within the normal range or rises slightly. The following symptoms of chlamydia in cats can be noted in the ocular form:

1. Tears are constantly flowing from the eyes of the animal.
2. The conjunctiva becomes red and inflamed. In this case, the lesion occurs alternately: first on one eye, and after 10-17 days - on the second.
3. The third eyelid is starting to protrude, it also looks reddened and inflamed.
4. Purulent crusts may appear, which means that a secondary infection has joined the chlamydia.

Since the he alth of the animal does not worsen, the owner does not always attach importance to these signs. Often, the appeal to the veterinarian is delayed, and the pathology leads to serious complications. Photos of chlamydia in cats can be seen below.

The pulmonary form of chlamydia is very difficult to detect. Pneumonia occurs in very small areas. Therefore, inflammation manifests itself atypically. Respiratory function is disturbed very slightly. The following signs of illness can be noted:

• nasal discharge;
• cough;
• temperature increase;
• hoarse breath;
• shortness of breath.

These symptomsChlamydia in cats is often mistaken for a cold. As a result, treatment may not be started on time.

Chlamydia of the genital organs very often does not have severe symptoms. In females, pathological discharge from the vulva may be observed. However, this manifestation often goes unnoticed. Inflammation of the urethra can occur, in which the cat feels pain when urinating. Males develop inflammation on the testicles (orchitis) or on the foreskin and head of the penis (balanoposthitis).

The gastrointestinal form of chlamydia is always asymptomatic. However, the animal at the same time releases the pathogen with feces and saliva and becomes a source of infection.

Complications of chlamydia

Symptoms of chlamydia in cats are usually mild and do not lead to a serious deterioration in well-being. But this disease is very insidious and can cause severe and dangerous complications.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis without treatment often causes vision loss. A sick cat can infect babies in utero. These kittens are born with conjunctivitis and can go blind.

Chlamydia pneumonia can become chronic. The disease is often complicated by pulmonary edema and leads to the death of the pet.

When the genital organs are affected, cats become infertile. This disease is especially dangerous for pregnant females. Chlamydia can cause miscarriage or premature birth. Kittens are often born non-viable due to intrauterine infection.

The intestinal form of the disease does not lead to dangerous consequences. But in this casethe cat is a latent carrier of the infection and can infect other animals.

Diagnosis

Chlamydia in cats must be differentiated from viral rhinotracheitis, calcivirosis, and pneumonia caused by other bacteria. Veterinarians order the following examinations:

1. Scrapings and swabs from the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose. The biomaterial is sent to the laboratory for enzyme immunoassay, which can detect chlamydia.
2. Blood test. Detects an increase in leukocytes during inflammation.
3. X-ray of lungs. This study is carried out if the disease occurs in the form of pneumonia.

Treatment methods

Chlamydia in cats should only be treated by a veterinarian. This disease is not treated by any folk remedies. Do not give your pet antibiotics on their own. This may contribute to the chronicity of the disease. In addition, chlamydia can develop resistance to drugs. Not all drugs affect this microorganism.

Usually prescribe antibiotics of the tetracycline group. They effectively fight the pathogen. At the same time, dairy food should be excluded from the pet's diet, as it reduces the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy. Penicillins and sulfonamides are not prescribed, since they do not affect chlamydia. Together with antibiotic therapy, probiotics are used to maintain normal intestinal microflora.

The course of antibiotic treatment is at least 3-4 weeks. After the end of therapy, it is necessary to pass an analysis for chlamydia.

Vets alsoprescribed immunomodulators. With chlamydia, it is very important to strengthen the body's defenses. With dehydration, drip infusion solutions are indicated.

With chlamydial conjunctivitis, ointments for the eyes must be used. Usually prescribe drugs based on tetracycline and erythromycin.

During treatment, you need to limit the physical activity of the pet. Also, do not let the animal out for walks.

Antibiotics

Tetracycline drugs help fight this infection. The dosage is selected individually depending on the weight of the cat. If the disease is mild, then oral antibiotics are possible. In advanced cases of chlamydia, drugs are given by injection. The following drugs are used:

• "Tetracycline";
• "Doxycycline";
• "Minocycline";
• "Metacycline".

Tetracycline is not always well tolerated by cats. Therefore, treatment begins with minimal dosages, observing the condition of the animal.

Antibiotics of other pharmacological groups are also used: Erythromycin, Levomycetin, Cefotaxime. However, they are weaker than tetracyclines and are usually used in combination with other antibacterial agents.

Immunomodulators

Immunomodulators are prescribed for long-term chlamydia. These drugs help the body fight infection better. The following are most commonly prescribedfunds:

1. "Gamavit". It is injected under the skin 1-3 times a week. The dosage is determined by the doctor depending on the weight of the cat. The course of treatment is long, about 1 month.
2. "Fosprenil". This medicine can be administered intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intravenously. The injections are repeated daily. The course of therapy takes 3 days.
3. "Maxidin". The drug is administered twice a day into the muscle or under the skin. The course of treatment is 3-5 days.
4. "Immunofan". The medicine is administered once a week subcutaneously or intramuscularly for a month.

Topical treatment

In chlamydial conjunctivitis, tetracycline 1% eye ointment and erythromycin ointment 10,000 IU are used. Before applying the product, the eyes are washed with a decoction of chamomile and cleaned of crusts. Ointments are placed under the lower eyelid at the dosage indicated by the veterinarian. Treatment continues for about a week.

Eye drops are also prescribed:

1. "Iris". This drug is used to cleanse the eyes of dried purulent crusts.
2. "Dekta-2". Drops are used for 3-5 days until the symptoms of conjunctivitis disappear completely.
3. "Bars". The drug contains the anesthetic novocaine, this remedy relieves pain in the eyes.

Probiotics

Prolonged use of antibiotics for chlamydia can adversely affect the intestinal microflora of the animal. Therefore, drugs with lactobacilli are prescribed:

• "Lactobifid";
• "Laktoferon";
• "Lactobacteride";
• "Lactobifadol".

Probiotics are dissolved in boiled water or milk. They are recommended to be given to the animal before feeding. These drugs should be continued throughout antibiotic therapy, especially if antibiotics are taken in tablet form.

Quarantine and prevention

If several cats live in the house, and one of them is infected with chlamydia, then quarantine measures are necessary. This disease is very easily transmitted, so it is important to protect he althy animals from contact with the sick. If one cat is infected, then preventive treatment is carried out for all pets, even if they do not have symptoms of pathology.

Quarantine should be observed at the first sign of conjunctivitis, even if the diagnosis has not yet been made. It is necessary to regularly clean the room with disinfectants. Hands should be washed thoroughly after caring for a sick animal. The danger of chlamydia in cats for humans is small, but cases of infection are still noted. Therefore, too close contact with the animal should not be allowed. It is also important to remember that the owner of a sick pet can carry the infection on clothes and shoes and infect other cats.

To avoid chlamydia in cats, it is necessary to exclude the contact of the pet with stray relatives, birds and rodents. After coming from the street, a person should take off their shoes and wash their hands thoroughly so as not to bring the infection into the house.

It is necessary to regularly conduct preventive examinations of animals. Before matingpurebred cats need to be tested for chlamydia to rule out sexual transmission.

Vaccination

After a disease, cats do not form a stable immunity. The animal can become infected with chlamydia again. Vaccinations against this disease have now been developed. They are carried out with the preparations "Multifel-4", "Chlamikon", "Felovax" and "Nobivak Triket".

Many veterinarians are wary of chlamydia vaccinations. Animals often had serious side effects after drug administration. Experts do not recommend vaccinating an animal without special need. However, if the cat is let out for walks, and the pet is in contact with homeless animals and birds, then vaccination should be carried out. This will help to avoid a dangerous disease. Before vaccination, you need to do an analysis for chlamydia to exclude the presence of pathology. Otherwise, vaccination may aggravate the course of the disease.