Chlamydia in cats: symptoms and treatment

It turns out that chlamydia, one of the most common bacterial infections so far, affects not only humans but also animals. For example, in cats, this infection, characterized by damage to the eyes, the respiratory tract and the genitourinary system, is extremely widespread. The causative agent of the disease in animals is the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. Previously, due to the small size and location within the cell, this microorganism was referred to as viruses, but it is still believed that it occupies an intermediate position between viruses and bacteria.

The causative agent can persist for a long time at low temperatures and only heating to 80 ° C leads to its death within a few minutes. Due to this, in nature there is a reservoir of this infection that can not be controlled. Animals are infected in the street with tactile contacts with sick individuals (often stray cats), less often by aerogenic means. The sexual way of transmission is widespread, and the transplacental pathway is from the sick cat to the kittens, it is also possible to infect during the passage through the birth canal. Cases of infection of a person from a sick animal are described.

Chlamydia in cats initially affects the cells of the epithelium, which lining the pharynx mucosa, conjunctiva, small intestine, rectum, urethra, cervix. Penetrating into a cage, the bacterium neutralizes its defense mechanisms, ensuring itself further reproduction. However, microorganisms and cells of the immune system of animals are affected. With a generalized infection, which is rare, bacteria are entered with blood flow into the joints, internal organs, the brain, which can lead to the death of the animal.

Manifestations of the disease

More often clamidiosis in cats is manifested by conjunctivitis and pathological course of pregnancy, in particular, by spontaneous abortions. Eye lesions are most typical for Siberian and Persian cats. Expensions appear first from one eye, then, after 10 days, the second one is affected. At the first stage of the discharge serous, then, due to the addition of the opportunistic flora, become purulent. The conjunctivitis lasts from several weeks to several months.

Stillbirths and abortions are more common in females with the first pregnancy. Chlamydia in cats often leads to infertility. Kittens manifestations of infection are most pronounced in the first days of life.

In addition, chlamydia in cats and cats can cause arthritis, orchitis, urethritis, enteritis, pneumonia and encephalitis. However, for clinical symptoms alone, it is difficult to initially diagnose, since the disease is often mixed. By experimental infection of the animals it was possible to find out that in the first days of the disease, the temperature in cats increases, on average, by 1 ° C, they are characterized by a depressed state.

Diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis is confirmed with the help of laboratory studies, the material for which is blood, feces, vaginal mucus, aborted fetus, placenta. The material can be frozen and stored.

The causative agent in tissues and organs is detected by means of luminescent and light microscopy, culture methods. However, such test systems have disadvantages (low specificity and sensitivity). Currently, molecular genetic and immunochemical methods (ELISA, PCR) are more often used.

How to cure chlamydia? Usually prescribe antibiotics, most often used tetracyclines. It should be borne in mind that with the appointment of antibacterial agents in this series, in addition to vibramycin and doxycycline, it is necessary to exclude dairy products from the diet of the animal, since they form insoluble complexes with magnesium and calcium ions. Prescribe therapy lasting 2-3 weeks. Fluoroquinolones, rifampicin, macrolides are also used. In case there is a recurring chlamydiosis in cats, treatment should include immunostimulants (T-activin, ribotan), symptomatic agents, ophthalmic (tetracycline, erythromycin ointment). Elimination of the pathogen in this approach can be achieved in 71-82% of cases.

In addition, animals are being immunized now, specific vaccines against carnivorous chlamydia are being used.