Cats in terms of health are not much different from people: it’s either there or it is not. Animals prone to various diseases no less than a man. Moreover, some diseases we have in common. One such disease is mycoplasmosis.
Mycoplasmosis in cats is a very dangerous infection. She is the reason that the pet gets sick from a whole bunch of secondary diseases. Cats develop problems with the respiratory system, eyes, urinary system and even musculoskeletal disorders. Why every cat owner needs to know what the infection is, what consequences it can cause and how to fight it.
What is a pathogen?
Mycoplasma – amazing organisms that have one important difference from other members of the microflora – the lack of a cell wall. From the external environment the internal environment of the Mycoplasma separated by a cytoplasmic membrane. It brings with it viruses. However, unlike the latter, Mycoplasma it has RNA and DNA. The vast majority of viruses has only one macromolecule.
Mycoplasma occupy an intermediate position between viruses and normal bacteria. Unlike classic viruses, Mycoplasma, do not need in the internal environment of host cells for reproduction. And bacteria they have low genetic memory, a wide variety of forms even within one species, different methods of reproduction.
What are the risk of Mycoplasma?
Mycoplasma – specific microorganisms. They can life to be present in the body of the carrier and thus does not manifest itself. Therefore, they refer to conditional-pathogenic microflora.
Moreover, recently, scientists have discovered two new species of Mycoplasma that break down stereotypes about these microorganisms.
- The clinical saprophyte. This kind of micro-organism feed exclusively on decaying tissues.
- Mycoplasma-symbiont. In this case, the microorganism is not easy living in the host’s body, but positively affects it.
In fact, species of Mycoplasma are very many and not all of them are properly explored. However, pathogenic species are well studied.
We are not going to touch the Mycoplasma, which can cause disease in humans, and will focus on causing mycoplasmosis in cats.
We are talking about two types:
- Mycoplasma felis.
- Mycoplasma gatae.
Scientists believe these types of specific microorganisms. That is, the chances they have no. However, to speak about it with absolute certainty microbiologists are not taken, as both types are still not well understood, and that cases of infection with mycoplasmosis cats human is not fixed, still about what does not speak.
The main danger of Mycoplasma for cats is that they are contained in the bodies of 75% of all animals. And each such animal is a carrier of these microbes. Mycoplasmosis may not occur in a particular cat, but it may become a distributor of infection. The fact that modes of transmission of this microorganism much: alimentary, sexual, contact, airborne.
Causes of mycoplasmosis in cats
The main cause of the disease – activation of the bacteria with the emergence of a suitable environment for breeding. It happens, usually by reducing the immunity of the animal.
Mycoplasmas begin to proliferate rapidly, cause severe intoxication of the media products in your life. Moreover, deprived of their own cell wall, mycoplasmas are attached to the cells of the animal and begin huge amounts of micronutrients.
Instead, inside the cell do harmful substances that aggravate and without that uneasy position of the cat. The animal weakens. He has the relevant symptoms.
Signs of mycoplasmosis in cats
The symptoms and treatment of this disease are closely interrelated. Simply put, the fraction of drugs prescribed in view of the manifested symptoms.
Mycoplasmosis in cats first experiences the following symptoms:
- Redness of the sclera and membranes of the eye. In the future, the eyes can appear film.
- The pustular lesions conjuctiva.
- Respiratory problems.
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.
- The animal has swollen paws.
- The cat is not in the hands of the owner and can be aggressive.
If after the first symptoms to start treatment, mycoplasmosis in cats provoke urethritis, cystitis and can even lead to infertility. Later, the disease will begin to destroy your joints and bones. Mycoplasmosis in cats in the running form always leads to the death of the animal.
Diagnosis
Due to the fact that at first the disease is manifested non-specific symptoms, the treatment can only be assigned after the survey. The diagnosis is based on blood tests, smears, conjunctival, swabs from the oral cavity and genitals. Unfortunately, neither polymerase chain reaction or hybridization of RNA or aerobic and anaerobic crops are not able to track the dynamics of the disease. These diagnostic methods only allow you to detect Mycoplasma and identify the species.
Experienced veterinarians take pictures of a sick animal. This is done in order to further determine the dynamics of the treatment of the disease.
Treatment for Mycoplasma in cats
Therapy of mycoplasmosis in cats has some features:
- If a cat displays symptoms of the acute form of the disease, then prescribe Dyxocycline and Levomicetin. Typically, this is sufficient to ensure that the pet is recovered within a few days.
- If the identified symptoms are chronic, then a pair of drugs can not do. You will need a comprehensive therapy and treatment may take several months.
In the chronic form of the disease is assigned to the following treatment:
- Prescribed courses of such antibiotics as: Baytril, Sumamed, Vilprofen, Tylosin, Tetracycline, Penbex, Chloramphenicol.
- Are prescribed medicinal to stimulate the internal organs: Kars, Catosal, Gamavit.
- Cat give Immunostimulants: Ribotan, Cycloferon, Immunofan.
- Regularly treat the mucous membranes of Tetracycline.
The speed of recovery of your pet depends on the following factors:
- The accuracy of diagnosis.
- The adequacy of therapy.
- The level of immunity of the patient.
- The quality of the care and feeding of sick cats.
Prevention of mycoplasmosis in cats
Scientists still have not managed to create a vaccine against mycoplasmosis in cats, but this does not mean that the pet cannot be saved from this disease.
As prevention, you can take the following measures:
- To provide your pet quality and balanced diet.
- To exclude the possibility of contact of the domestic cat with domestic cats.
- To Supplement their diet with special vitamins and drugs to improve immunity.
- Regular visits with a veterinarian.
- To monitor changes in the condition of the animal.
Remember that no matter what preventive action may be taken is always the risk of infection pet. But adhering to the above measures, you can minimize the harm from the disease if the animal it will pick up.