Feline chlamydiathe cause, symptoms and treatment

Feline Chlamydia is also known as Chlamydiosis, Chlamydia Psittaci, Feline Chlamydophila or Feline Pneumonitis.

It is an eye infection which causes the conjunctiva (the inner "lining" ormembrane of the eyelids) and the white of the eye (sclera) to becomered and inflamed.

Feline conjunctivitis can be caused by a number of things likeallergies to pollen, dust- irritants- viruses and bacteria.

In the caseof chlamydiosis, the offending organism is a bacterium called chlamydia psittaci.

About a third of all reported cases of feline conjunctivitis are caused by this bacterium.

Inthe early stages of this feline eye disease, it may bear a resemblanceto cat flu (calicivirus) and herpes virus due to the chronic dischargefrom the eyes and nose.

Initially the discharge is watery, but as thefeline eye infection progresses, it may become muco-purulent i.e.characterized by the presence of mucus and pus.

Feline eye problems like chlamydia, can be found in cats of any age,but kittens appear to be more susceptible to this infection and often,the entire litter of kittens will be infected.

Kittens between the agesof 6 weeks to 8 months are more likely to contract this infection.

Themode of transmission is believed to be via direct contact with the eyeand nasal discharge of cats infected with c. psittaci.

Direct contactwould occur during self-grooming or by droplet transmission duringsneezing.

As this bacteria is relatively unstable and short-lived outside thebody, it is unlikely, but not impossible, that cats may be infected whensharing food bowls and bedding.

For obvious reasons, this feline eye disease is far more prevalent inbreeding catteries, multi-cat households and rescue shelters.

NOTE: There have been isolated cases of zoonotic infection(humans been infected by feline chlamydia).

It is suggested that goodhygiene procedures are followed when treating feline eye infections.

Washing your hands after handling a cat with feline conjunctivitis willprevent you and any other cats in the house from being infected.

The incubation period (i.e. the time is takes from exposure to the diseaseto the appearance of the first signs) is about 14-days.

• The first sign will be a watery discharge from one or both eyes
  
• Eyes become red and swollen
  
• In some cases, the third eyelid, which are normallynot visible, will become red and swollen making it difficult for thecat to open its eyes
• As the infection progresses, the discharge becomes thick and muco-purulent (contains mucus and pus)
  
• The cat may also have a nasal discharge and sneezing is not uncommon
  
• The cat or kitten may have a slightly raised temperature and whilst the cat may be "off color", there is no loss of appetite.
  
• Some experts believe that the bacteria may infectthe digestive and reproductive tracts.
• Whilst these signs generallygo unnoticed, it can cause reproductive failure (spontaneous abortion)in pregnant queens.
  

Untreated, this feline eye infection will persist for 3 - 4 weeksbefore clearing up.

Sadly, the kitten or cat will continue to experienceless severe symptoms for months to come and it may be contagious for upto a year or more.

Theveterinarian will obtain a full medical history from the cat owner.

Ascraping will be taken from the conjunctiva for microscopic examinationat a veterinary laboratory.

There are a number of tests that can beperformed in the lab and the results of these tests will either confirmall exclude c.psittaci.

Oncethe diagnosis of this feline eyes infection has been confirmed by theveterinary practitioner, he or she will decide on the appropriate courseof treatment.

Treatment will generally involve the administration of topicaland systemic antibiotics.

Topical eye ointments or drops containtetracycline which needs to be applied 3 to 4 times a day.

Oralantibiotics (tablets or syrups) must be administered for a couple ofmonths or for at least a couple of weeks after the last symptoms arenoted.

The veterinarian will monitor the cat"s progress and make thenecessary adjustment to treatment.

In order to relieve any discomfort, the vet may also prescribe asaline eye wash to clean the kitten or cat"s eyes prior to theadministration of the ointment or drops.

In multi-cat households, it is highly recommended that all cats be treated simultaneously to avoid infection or re-infection.

Providedtreatment starts early and all cats in the household are treated, thereis a low incidence of recurrence.

Whilst the infection can beincapacitating it is treatable and every cat deserves to be healthy,comfortable and disease free.

Thereis a vaccine available which may assist in reducing the severity ofthis feline eye infection.

It is not believed to be 100 effective inpreventing the disease.

There are many cat vaccines available, some areconsidered core, this vaccine is not considered core in single-cathouseholds but is highly recommended in multi-cat households.