Chlamydia in cats is a chronic infection of the cells of the organs caused by cellular pathogens. Often the disease is accompanied by conjunctivitis and unwanted symptoms of respiratory tract. In some cases, possible pneumonia.
Chlamydia in cats can be caused by a microorganism titled “Chlamydia, psittaci“, it begins inside the cells, this makes treatment more difficult. The pathogen most often affects the upper respiratory tract, permanently, settling in their cells and are quite difficult to treat. In animals, the disease develops into a chronic infection of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
In addition to the respiratory system, the infection is able to master the intestine may also be affected and the cells of the stomach and the reproductive system. Chlamydia is not always possible to accurately diagnose, because the symptoms are overly diverse, that it is a mistake to put an inaccurate diagnosis. Chlamydia is a risk of infection that can be transmitted to humans. Therefore, it is necessary to know, what is the chlamydia in cats, its symptoms and treatment.
The main signs of chlamydia in cats
- Exhaustion, sudden weight loss;
- The cat may limp;
- Fever, chills;
- Lethargy, immobility;
- A noticeable decrease in appetite;
If the disease developed into chronic (subclinical) form of chlamydia, at first glance it can be recognized with the help of the conjunctiva of the animal: she usually always has a red – orange hue, and the nose of the animal secretes mucus, which she periodically hardens forming a crust.
Chlamydia in cats symptoms and treatment
There are different characteristics that identify chlamydia in cats symptoms and treatment is always individual. In the early stages of the disease, chlamydia cats can cause a symptom like fever. Usually, this does not affect her appetite and well-being, so the first stage can take place transparently to the owner.
More alarming phase begins with conjunctivitis, cats it is noted mucus from the eyes that in advanced cases develops into a purulent accumulation. The conjunctiva is in the process of infection becomes deep red. It is also possible swelling. At the very beginning of the disease is marked rhinitis, in an animal there is discharge from the nose, accompanied by frequent chihaniem and cough. These symptoms develop into pulmonary edema, and if time is not taken, the disease can last for a long time.
If measures were taken in time, this disease will be transported much easier in such cases is only possible pink eye and minor respiratory tract lesions. In the case when the disease has occurred the defeat of the genitourinary or digestive systems, the symptoms in most of these cases do not occur. This disease has two forms – latent and subclinical form.
Chlamydia in kittens
One of the most dangerous types of chlamydia is conjunctivitis neonatal. The kitten is born with this disease because the infection spreads rapidly in a pregnant cat that is a carrier of the disease. Therefore, chlamydia in kittens is also common and treat it much more difficult due to weak immune system.
The reproduction of harmful microorganisms in the newborn may take place not only in the mucosa of the eyes, but also in the respiratory tract and other organs. Due to the intense reproduction within cells of the bronchial system, you may experience swelling of the lungs or bronchitis.
How is the infection
The main carriers of chlamydiae in nature is considered to be rodents, they are capable of spreading the infection in all places, and since cats often interact with them, the disease risk is quite large. The infection can be transmitted from one animal to another. For example, if the cat will actively contact with infected animals, to feed her one food and drink water from the same troughs, the infection can easily get into her body.
Usually adult cats is pretty strong immune system, so the disease risk is not too large, what can be said about newborn kittens. Chlamydia in cats can cause great harm to the kitten, this is especially true of kittens who recently took the cat. During this period, the immature body of a newborn kitten is experiencing a lot of stress, and ceases to particularly important elements of milk cats that have a positive effect on the immune system.
Infected kittens may be exposed not only in utero but also during birth infected cats, in which the source of infection is the genitourinary system. Chlamydia at this moment go to all the mucous membranes of the immature child’s body, causing intense inflammation. Adult cats susceptible to infection with chlamydia trachomatis urogenital system through sexual contact with an infected individual.
Chlamydia reproductive system usually shows no characteristic symptoms. Sometimes you can see a slight discharge from the genitals, but often these symptoms are hidden. Therefore, there are cases when the animal seems completely healthy, but in fact, the disease simply does not cause reason for concern. Chlamydia genital organs can detect quite severe consequences in the end.
This can lead to such results as:
- Infertility;
- Stillbirth;
- Premature birth;
- The birth of non-viable, infected kittens;
- The detection of this disease in a pregnant cat it is generally recommended to have an abortion.
How to establish the diagnosis of chlamydia in cats
Chlamydia is common symptomsthat are similar to different ailments, so the first step is to exclude all similar diseases.
At the initial stage of bacteria occurs within 5 days. Initially affects the mucous membranes of the eyes, manifested by conjunctivitis and frequent sneezing. But it also can occur ulcer on the cornea.
Over the next 3-4 days, there are ulcers on the tongue and throughout the oral cavity and symptoms of serious pneumonia.
The rest of the duration of the disease, emerging reovirus infection, which in its structure is very weak in comparison with the above symptoms, but it is present throughout the entire period of the disease, until recovery.
All of these symptoms, it is necessary to set a diagnosis with the help of a doctor, this first step seems to urinalysis, which shows the presence of leukocytes. If you have any pronounced symptoms of pneumonia, it is definitely a radiographic study of the respiratory tract. And also be sure to examination for conjunctivitis, for that come from conjunctive swabs, which is determined by the level of the disease.
Chlamydia in cats: treatment
When the disease chlamydia, the animal does not need hospitalization and may be at home. Treatment is usually prescribed individually by your doctor, depending on the complexity and accuracy of diagnosis. To get rid of this disease is sometimes difficult, especially if it is a subclinical form in which unwanted microorganisms multiply in parts of the body. Even healed, the disease can repeatedly occur. This disease is terrible not only chlamydia, there may occur a secondary microflora, which can instantaneously start the reproduction of the infected cells, the animal’s condition may deteriorate.
It is important to consider the fact that the detected chlamydia cats should be cured strictly under the supervision of a specialist otherwise the animal can heal, but the problem is it will not save. Treatment of chlamydia in cats and kittens needs to start as soon as possible as in the initial phase can be much easier to eliminate the source of infection.
Doctors for chlamydia in cats usually prescribe a course of antibiotics, such as tetracycline and erythromycin. Chlamydia in cats causes symptoms and treatment of which are linked, so the dosage is adjusted individually. Tetracycline is used in the form of tablets and ointments. The ointment must be used on the affected areas of the mucous membrane, including conjunctiva. This drug is well established in the treatment of chlamydia, but not all cats tolerate it well.
Particularly sensitive to antibiotics kittens, here is required the supervision of a physician, who will pick up the correct dosing for the treatment of chlamydia in kittens. Antibiotics are used and injections are usually injections for chlamydia cats assigned in the acute form of the disease. It is particularly important not to stop treatmenteven if the condition of the animal improved, is still not an indication of infection from the body.
If animals in the house contains a few, it is necessary to take preventive methods. If the condition of the cat is in the acute form of the disease, other animals should also begin to heal, as the infection spreads very fast. Antibiotic treatment of chlamydia cats should last not less than two weeks.
Chlamydia in cats: prevention
Against chlamydia cats, there are special integrated vaccines vaccinations are in veterinary clinics.
Unfortunately, absolute guarantee of protection from chlamydia these vaccines do not promise, therefore, even vaccinated animals should follow small rules:
- Be sure to destroy the main vector of infection is rodents;
- The domestic cat should not be in contact with the street and with street animals;
- If you plan to knit, you need to make sure the owner about the absence of chlamydial infection from his pet;
- Done once per year screening for chlamydia at the vet.
Chlamydia in cats: a danger to humans
There is an opinion that cats chlamydia can affect human health. It is indeed possible, but such cases are very rare. When infected with chlamydia cats, the person experiences some symptoms of this disease are very weak and the disease is mild and responds to treatment quickly, since the human immune system more resistant to defeat the infection.
However, when caring for sick animals, man must observe all safety precautions. It is important to wash hands after any contact with a sick cat, to keep the animal children. It is desirable that the sick animal was kept isolated from family members in a separate room, however, if this is not possible, it should be just as much as possible to reduce contact with the pet and as often as possible to ventilate the room.
