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2006-07-26 01:53:31 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets Cats

26 answers

please be patient and read the following it might solve your problem or give you more insight

best of luck. ciao

Chlamydophilia disease in cats

(Chlamydiosis)

What is feline Chlamydophilia disease?

Feline Chlamydophila disease refers to infection with a type of bacterium called Chlamydophila felis. Many different strains of Chlamydia type bacteria exist. In general they are highly species specific - i.e. each strain usually infects one or a small number of different animals. The bacterium that infects cats, known as Chlamydophila felix, appears to be highly adapted to the cat and rarely, if ever, causes disease in other animals.

Chlamydophila organisms are very fragile and cannot survive for any significant period of time in the environment. Infection therefore occurs through direct contact between animals.

What disease does C felis cause in cats?

In cats, C felis mainly causes conjunctivitis (infection and inflammation of the delicate membranes or conjunctiva that cover the inner surface of the eyelids and the white part of the eye itself, called the sclera). Clinical signs usually develop within a few days to a week after infection and usually begin as a watery discharge from one or both eyes. Although sometimes only one eye is affected when signs first develop, within a few days both eyes become involved. Due to the discomfort, affected cats may hold their eyelids partially closed. As the disease progresses, severe swelling and reddening of the conjunctiva may be seen and the discharge changes from watery to a thicker yellowish discharge. Although conjunctivitis is the major clinical sign, there may also be mild sneezing and nasal discharge in some affected cats. Occasionally there is a mild fever which can result in lethargy and inappetence but, generally, affected cats remain bright and eat well. If left untreated, the conjunctivitis often persists for six to eight weeks or longer and cats may continue to shed the organism for many months.

Although mainly a cause of conjunctivitis, C felis has also been found in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract and reproductive tract of cats and there is some speculation that it may be a cause of infertility in breeding queens.

Which cats are at risk of infection?

Chlamydophila infection is relatively common in cats and up to 30% of cases of chronic conjunctivitis may be caused by this organism. However, because the organism does not survive in the environment and requires direct contact between cats to spread, disease is much more commonly seen where larger groups of cats are kept together, such as multi-cat households, catteries and shelters.

Although cats of all ages can be infected, disease is seen most commonly in young kittens (5 - 12 weeks old) with persistent or recurrent infection.

Are there other causes of conjunctivitis?

Although Chlamydophila infection is a common cause of conjunctivitis in cats, many other causes of conjunctivitis exist. These can range from trauma to the eye, the presence of ocular irritation caused by foreign material in the eyes or hairs rubbing on the surface of the eye, through to other infectious agents. The cat ‘flu viruses (herpesvirus and calicivirus) are common causes of sneezing together with ocular and nasal discharge in cats and they too can cause conjunctivitis. As with Chlamydophila, cat ‘flu viruses are more common in kittens and where groups of cats are kept together. Some cats can be infected with both ‘flu viruses and Chlamydophila.

How is Chlamydophila disease diagnosed?

Because there are other potential causes of conjunctivitis, definitive diagnosis requires demonstration of the presence of the organism. Swabs can be taken from the eyes of affected cats and sent to specialist laboratories where the presence of the organism can be identified (through culture or other special techniques). This is usually a highly reliable way of making a diagnosis.

What is the treatment for affected cats?

Chlamydophila infections respond well to a number of different antibiotics. A group of antibiotics known as tetracyclines have generally been considered the treatment of choice for Chlamydophila in cats. Certain other antibiotics may also be effective, but have to be chosen carefully as a number of antibiotics are completely ineffective against the organism. Topical therapy with eye drops or ointment is usually recommended, but this should be combined with systemic (oral) therapy as the organism can be present at sites other than just the eyes. If giving eye drops is difficult, infections will still respond well to oral therapy alone. Generally, treatment is recommended for a period of four weeks and all cats in the household should be treated (irrespective of whether they are showing clinical signs). Care has to be taken treating pregnant cats and young kittens (giving tetracyclines during development of the teeth can lead to their discolouration) and at this time other antibiotics may be used.

Can Chlamydophila disease be prevented?

A vaccine exists to protect cats against Chlamydophila conjunctivitis. The vaccine does not always prevent infection, but is certainly helpful in preventing severe clinical disease. Its use can be recommended in high risk situations.

Can humans catch infection from cats?

Humans can be infected with Chlamydia but the bacterium that infects cats, Chlamydophila felis, is highly adapted to this species. There have been one or two reports that have suggested human conjunctivitis has occurred following contact with a cat harbouring C felis, but the risk appears to be extremely low. Routine hygiene precautions are recommended when handling and treating infected cats (washing hands after stroking or giving medications and avoiding close face-to-face contact until the infection has resolved).





©This information sheet is produced by the Feline Advisory Bureau

The Feline Advisory Bureau is the leading charity dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of cats through improved feline knowledge, to help us all care better for our cats. Currently we are helping almost 4 million cats and their owners a year.

2006-07-26 02:23:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4 0

There are three possibilities. 1) It could be an infection that requires antibiotics. 2) It could be blockage of the tear ducts. If the cat suffered a serious viral infection as a kitten, scar tissue could be blocking it. 3) It could be an allergy. Please take your cat to a competent vet who can do a proper diagnosis. If the tear duct is blocked, and it's not an infection, there isn't much that can be done.

2006-07-26 02:15:20 · answer #2 · answered by pepper 6 · 0 0

Could be the onset of cunjunctivitus (my cat had that last year). It might just have scratched it or got something in it (grass seed) or something. Try bathing it with warm water and cotton wool and see how it is tomorrow. If it looks worse go to the vets.

2006-07-26 02:01:27 · answer #3 · answered by Mrs Captain 2 · 0 0

Eye infection, go to the vet for medication. If the cat is not neutered, could also be a form of feline STD, which cause chronic eye infection.

2006-07-26 01:57:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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2014-10-06 11:01:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Ignore the "humorous" answers you've received and focus on the possibility that allergies may be affecting your kitty. Check with your vet for treatment.

2006-07-26 01:59:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

it could have an eye infection, or another cat could have scratched it in the eye, take it to the vet

2006-07-26 03:17:45 · answer #7 · answered by Victoria 6 · 0 0

she has the same as what mine gets and her tear ducts get blocked with sleep etc wash her eyes with a salt water solution and stops em from watering as she is rubbing the eyes

2006-07-26 02:07:39 · answer #8 · answered by nikky_c2000 3 · 1 0

My daughter's cat had that and when she took it to the vet it was an infection - you must take the cat straight away

2006-07-27 00:22:22 · answer #9 · answered by jaygirl 4 · 0 1

could be allergies, I give mine 12.5mg of benadryl twice a day, that should help. My vet was the one who told me to do that. I would recomend that you take your cat to the vet, talk to them about the possibility of Feline Herpes.

2006-07-26 03:24:22 · answer #10 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0 0

umm ussually my cat gets this problem when she has something in her eye ussually i find if you clean it out with cotton wool and cold tea with no milk it will get better within a few hours

2006-07-26 08:01:53 · answer #11 · answered by cas_drpepperqueen2002 1 · 0 0

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