Chlamydia in cats. What is the danger to humans of chlamydia in cats

Chlamydia in furry pets is an infectious disease caused by intracellular microorganisms - Chlamydia. According to veterinary statistics, 5-10% of the cat population suffer from chlamydia. The infection mainly affects the respiratory system, characterized by the development of conjunctivitis.

Often, chlamydia attacks the digestive system and organs of the genital area, and the disease is also dangerous for humans. One of the active ways to protect the animal from disease is vaccination.

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Causes of infection

Intracellular location of Chlamydophila Felis

Chlamydia psittaci is characterized by a more extensive list clinical manifestations in pets and is often transmitted from a sick bird. Chlamydia is also dangerous for a person in contact with a sick animal.

Infection of a domestic cat often occurs when hunting birds and rodents. For a healthy pet, contact with an infected animal is dangerous, as well as with its waste products (feces, urine, saliva). The most common way of infection with chlamydia is by airborne droplets and sexual contact. Newborn kittens become infected in utero and during childbirth.

An absolutely domestic cat, which never leaves the apartment, can also become infected with chlamydia. The pathogen is often introduced with shoes, things by the owner himself from the street. When households come into contact with stray animals, the risk of infection for a fluffy homebody increases dramatically.

The risk group includes cats in contact with poultry. The possibility of infection increases when several pets are kept in the room. Catteries specializing in breeding cats are often exposed to mass infection of young animals if preventive measures are not followed.

Outside the body of a domestic cat, the pathogen can exist from 24 to 36 hours. Ultraviolet radiation is detrimental to the microorganism. Boiling kills chlamydia within 1 minute. In a relationship disinfectants the pathogen is selective and is destroyed only by special solutions (phenol, chloramine, etc.). Relative stability of chlamydia during external environment causes their wide distribution among mammals, including humans.

Symptoms of chlamydia

Initially, having penetrated into the body of an animal, chlamydia attack the epithelial cells lining the mucous membrane of the conjunctiva, oral cavity, pharynx, stomach, intestines, genitourinary system and rectum. Microorganisms neutralize the protection of the cell and multiply freely in it. Incubation period is from 7 to 14 days.

• Local treatment with anti-inflammatory agents. To reduce inflammation in the mucous membrane of the eyes, rinsing with a solution of chamomile and sage is used. With pronounced conjunctivitis, chloramphenicol drops are prescribed, and Tetracycline ointment is placed in the subconjunctival sac.

• Immunomodulatory therapy improves immune system animal. For this purpose, a sick cat is prescribed Roncoleukin, Gamavit, Fosprenil, etc.
• With symptoms of dehydration, intravenous infusions of saline and glucose are used.

In the event that the owner has several cats, antibiotic therapy all animals must be subjected. At effective treatment the prognosis is favorable.

For treatment of chlamydia in cats, see this video:

Can it be transmitted to humans

A chlamydial infection is dangerous not only for representatives of the feline family, but also for households. A person can become infected while caring for a sick and recovering pet if personal hygiene rules are not followed. The disease manifests itself in the form of conjunctivitis.

Infection of pregnant women can lead to infertility. Young children, elderly and sick family members with a weakened immune system should also be protected from contact with a sick animal.

The greatest danger threatens the owner and household in the chronic course of the disease, when the disease passes in an asymptomatic form, and it is impossible to guess that the animal has a dangerous infection.

Chlamydia vaccinations

Currently, several vaccines are used in veterinary medicine to prevent the development of infection in domestic cats. A highly effective live vaccine Katavac Chlamydia is produced abroad. The Russian analogue is the biological preparation ChlamiKon. Both prophylactic agents belong to the group of monovaccines.

Among the polyvalent prophylactic drugs, the Multifel-4 vaccine is used, which, in addition to chlamydia, protects the domestic cat from diseases such as panleukopenia and viral tracheitis. The foreign analogue of the domestic vaccine is Felovax-4, produced in the United States of America and Purevax RCPCh (manufactured in France).

A prerequisite for preventive treatment should be preliminary deworming and the health of the animal. In this regard, the owner must undergo an examination of the pet for the presence of chlamydia in the body before the scheduled vaccination.

In areas with a high risk of infection, domestic cats should be vaccinated regularly. Cats participating in exhibition events and breeding animals are subject to mandatory preventive immunization.

Chlamydia in domestic cats is a highly contagious infection with predominantly respiratory symptoms and characteristic conjunctivitis. Diagnosis of the disease is based on laboratory analysis of biological materials.

Treatment antibacterial drugs long-term, under the supervision of a veterinarian. As an active prophylaxis, a number of vaccines have been developed that prevent infection of the domestic cat.

Chlamydia, which affects cats, has nothing to do with chlamydia, which refers to human sexual diseases. You can get infected from a cat only with a very weak immune system.

As a rule, chlamydia weakens the immune system, and the pet develops additional diseases.

Chlamydia in cats: symptoms depending on the form of infection

1. Conjunctival. Manifested by lacrimation, discharge of pus from the eyes, runny nose, cough, fever.
2. Sexual. Symptoms: inability to conceive, miscarriages, non-viable offspring, infection of kittens in utero, premature birth. Sexual chlamydia itself is asymptomatic, so it is possible to suspect the presence of the disease only in preparation for breeding kittens.
3. Chlamydia respiratory tract. A life-threatening form of chlamydia. Signs: wheezing when breathing, shortness of breath, heavy breathing, pneumonia and pulmonary edema, which can lead to death of the animal.
4. Chlamydia gastrointestinal tract has no symptoms. The infection is shed in feces and saliva.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is based on the results of the analysis of swabs taken from the nose, genitals and eyes. Diagnosis is not made based on examination alone. Also, a secondary infection, which develops as a result of a weakened immune system, can slightly distort the picture. But if you have applied to a veterinary clinic with a good reputation, you should not worry - the diagnosis will be made accurately.

Treatment for chlamydia in cats

It will take about a month to recover. Therapy can be carried out at home, isolating the cat from other pets. When treating chlamydia, maintain your usual diet and diet.

Most effective antibiotics in treatment of chlamydia- tetracycline series. Others are rarely used, most often in combination and cure the disease for a long time.

1. Tetracycline. The dosage of injections is 7-12 mg per 1 kg of body weight. Prick every 12 hours. The optimal course is three to five days. Injections can be replaced with tablets: start with a low dose - 10 mg / kg, because. some cats do not tolerate this drug well. The maximum dose is 25 mg/kg. Give twice a day with the same interval.
2. Doxycycline. Tablets. They are given once a day at a dosage of 5-10 mg per kilogram.
3. Levomycetin (tablets). Dosage 10 to 15 mg per kg, given two to three times a day.
4. Cefotaxime. Injections. Introduction intramuscular. It is necessary to dilute 1 g of the drug in 5 ml of Novocaine. Prick at the rate of 0.1 ml per kilogram of body weight twice a day.
5. Erythromycin. Tablets. Dosage 10 mg per kg. Every 8/12 hours.

To prevent the animal from choking on pills, mash a single dose into powder, add 2 ml of water, stir, collect the mixture with a syringe without a needle and slowly pour it into the cat through the corner of the mouth.

For eye damage:

In order not to develop a secondary infection against the background of chlamydia, as well as with a long-term illness, immunomodulating drugs are needed, for example:

If you prefer antibiotics in tablets, you definitely need lactobacilli:

1. Lactobifid. Give 1 tablet up to two times a day (morning and evening). The tablet can be given both dry and diluted with water.
2. Lactobacterin - once a day, diluted daily dose in a tablespoon of milk. Give half an hour before feeding.

Prevention of chlamydia

1. First of all - vaccination of the animal, if you allow it to be on the street.
2. Do not allow the cat to come into contact with stray animals.
3. If you live in your house - get rid of rodents.
4. When breeding kittens, take the cat/cat to the veterinarian for a swab before mating. Also require a certificate from the owner, with the cat / cat of which there will be a common offspring.

It will also be necessary to pass the test before vaccination, so as not to aggravate the situation. Chlamydia and Chlamycon are the most popular vaccines.

If your pet has chlamydia, don't worry about getting it. Only isolated cases of human chlamydia infection from a cat are known - and in all cases the owner's body was very weakened. Neither for pregnant women, nor for the fetus, nor for children, feline chlamydia is not dangerous. Follow basic hygiene rules, do wet cleaning using disinfectants, wash your pet's bedding with recovery.

In order to be guaranteed to cure a cat of chlamydia, do not neglect the help of a veterinarian!

As in humans, chlamydia in cats does not always have severe symptoms, but it can significantly impair the health of the pet. The development of this disease entails various complications in the animal and the possibility of infection of people around. It is useful for owners of domestic cats to know how feline chlamydia manifests itself, what methods of its treatment exist, and whether it is possible to protect a pet from infection.

What is it and ways of infection

Chlamydia are not able to exist for a long time outside the host's body, so infection occurs as a result of close "communication" with the carrier of the infection. Most common the following ways infections:

1. Sexual.
2. Airborne.
3. Contact.
4. Alimentary.

Cats in contact with street brethren, animals from shelters and nurseries, 5-12-week-old kittens born to an infected female are at the greatest risk of contracting chlamydia. Most often, pets show ocular and pulmonary forms of the disease that occur with severe symptoms. The remaining varieties (intestinal, gastric and genital) are distinguished by an erased clinical picture.

IN pure form Chlamydia is rare in felines.

By weakening the immune system, the disease contributes to the penetration of secondary infections (mycoplasmosis, herpes, ureaplasmosis) into the animal's body.

Human danger

The probability of human infection with feline chlamydia is low in a normal state of immunity. The risk of infection increases as a result of the weakening of the body's defenses (in pregnant women, young children, the elderly, against the background of previous diseases). In this case, the organs of vision are most often affected. In isolated cases, the infection affects the respiratory and digestive organs.

Symptoms and treatment

If chlamydia develops in cats, symptoms and treatment will require the most serious approach. The incubation period of the disease lasts for several weeks. At this time, there are often no symptoms of chlamydia, and the owners of the animal are unaware of the presence of infection.

The primary signs of infection in a cat are:

• eye redness and watery eyes;
• slight discharge from the nose and organs of vision;
• protrusion of the third eyelid;
• sneezing, rhinitis;
• decrease in appetite;
• increase in body temperature.

The photo on the right shows a typical picture of the course of chlamydia in a cat.

Developing, the infection provokes the appearance of more severe symptoms - discharge with pus, a brown-red shade of the conjunctiva, shortness of breath, intestinal microflora disorders that cause constipation or diarrhea, pulmonary edema and pneumonia.

This condition requires mandatory therapy. The lack of high-quality treatment leads to serious consequences in the form of chronic disease, infertility of mature individuals, the appearance of tumors in the genital organs, and the birth of dead offspring. If Chlamydia progresses and affects all organs, death of the animal occurs.

The treatment regimen is prescribed by a specialist after a detailed examination of the patient. Drugs are selected individually, based on the age and characteristics of the course of the disease. Most often, an integrated approach is used - the cat is assigned eye drops and ointments, antibiotics, immunomodulators.

The course of treatment for feline chlamydia is from 2 weeks to one month. At the end of therapy, a re-examination and testing will be required to prevent the recurrence of the disease.

Eye ointments and drops

For chlamydia in cats, drugs that have a relatively low price are used:

1. Tetracycline 1% ointment (2-3 times during the day, course - up to 7 days).
2. Erythromycin ointment (the principle of application is similar to that described above).
3. Levomycetin drops (3-4 times a day, 1 drop in each eye, the duration of the course is 3-7 days).
4. Decta (2-3 drops three times a day, the duration of treatment is 5 days).

Ointments should be applied after the eyes have been thoroughly cleansed (with saline or chamomile decoction). Local treatment must be combined with the appointment of antibiotics.

Antibiotics

With feline chlamydia, representatives of the tetracycline series will become effective:

• erythromycin;
• azithromycin;
• ciprofloxacin;
• sumamed;
• oxytetracycline.

Often they are prescribed for injection and topical use. It is important to fully complete the course of antibiotic therapy, not allowing the next dose of medication to be missed. Otherwise, the disease can become chronic.

In the fight against the disease, sulfonamides and penicillins should not be used. These varieties medicines unable to completely destroy the causative agent of chlamydia.

Treatment with doxycycline

Doxycycline is one of the most important components of antichlamydial therapy. The drug should be given to the animal once a day (10 mg per 1 kg of body weight). The duration of treatment is at least 1 month. While taking this medication, it is important to exclude dairy products from the pet's diet, as their use is fraught with the formation of insoluble compounds.

Immunomodulators

Immunomodulators become necessary in case of a long course of the disease. These drugs are used intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Most often, treatment is carried out:

1. Gamavit (1-3 subcutaneous injections per week at a dosage of 0.1 ml per 1 kg of body weight, the course lasts 14 days-1 month).
2. Immunofan (monthly course of 1 ml three times a day or once a week).
3. Maksidin (0.5 ml per 5 kg of weight twice a day for 2-5 days).
4. Fosprenil (0.2 ml per kg of body weight once a day for 3 days).

The facilitated course of the disease and faster recovery is facilitated by the drug Felferon, which is widely used due to the absence side effects. This remedy is also used in the complex therapy of other sexually transmitted and contact diseases (mycoplasmas). A single dosage is 200,000 IU. Injections are carried out once a day for a 5-7-day course. In heavy clinical cases and in mixed infections, the daily dose may be doubled.

Testing for chlamydia in cats

The diagnosis of "chlamydia" is made to a pet by a qualified specialist based on the results of the examination. By external signs, it is rather problematic to identify the disease, especially the chronic form. Becomes obligatory laboratory diagnostics, which will require the taking of biomaterial from the cat's eyes, nasal cavity, ears, genitals, blood sampling.

Diagnosis of feline chlamydia is carried out by all modern tests and methods used in the study of human biomaterial. These include:

• ELISA (enzymatic immunoassay);
• PCR (polymer chain reaction);
• bakposev.

plays an important role in making an accurate diagnosis differential diagnosis chlamydia with other infections that have similar manifestations - viral rhinotracheitis, calcivirosis, reovirus infection, bordetellosis. To exclude non-infectious pneumonia, a specialist often recommends an x-ray of the respiratory system.

Chlamydia vaccine

Vaccination against chlamydia will become especially relevant for animals at increased risk of infection. To date, there are several drugs used to effectively immunize pets. They all contain a strain of feline chlamydia.

The list of such vaccines includes domestic and foreign products:

1. ChlamyCon.
2. Felovax-4.
3. Multifel-4.
4. Nobivak Forket.
5. Purevax RCPCh.

Most of these drugs are polyvaccines that protect pets from other diseases (calicivirus, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis). Before vaccination, it will be necessary to examine the cat for the presence of chlamydia, since the procedure should be performed only in a normal state of health. Another obligatory moment prior to vaccination is deworming.

It is important to remember that vaccination does not provide a 100% guarantee of protection against the disease, and post-vaccination immunity is temporary.

Another effective method of protecting pets is prevention. This is the only way to prevent chlamydia in cats, the symptoms and treatment of which take a lot of time and effort from owners.

Preventive actions

save pet Here are some things you can do to help prevent chlamydia infection:

• regular visits to the veterinarian;
• exclusion of contact with street animals;
• healthy eating;
• strengthening immunity.

Vaccination against feline chlamydia is recommended in cases where outbreaks of chlamydial infection are regularly recorded in the area of ​​​​residence. When the cat shows characteristics diseases, others will need to exclude close contact with it to prevent the pathogen from entering the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and organs of vision. A prerequisite effective prevention there will be constant compliance with basic hygiene measures (washing hands after touching an animal, processing its toilet, dishes and bedding, daily wet cleaning of the premises).

Chlamydia in cats is a widespread and highly contagious disease that usually occurs against the background of a satisfactory condition of the cat, often having minimal clinical manifestations and a number of consequences, including severe ones. An attentive owner, knowing some of the features of the course of chlamydia, will be able to start treating the pet on time and significantly improve the prognosis of the disease, as well as mitigate its consequences.

The causative agent of chlamydia in cats

Chlamydia in cats is caused by Chlamydophila felis, which belongs to the genus Chlamydia. These microscopic organisms were first described in 1942 by the American researcher Baker. Biologically, chlamydia is not quite common and combines the features of both viruses and bacteria:

Chlamydia has two forms:

• invasive elementary bodies - unstable in the external environment, and close contact is necessary for infection;
• reticular bodies - intracellular form.

Also, chlamydia can infect macrophages, maintaining and exacerbating the state of immunodeficiency. Penetrating into the cells of the epithelium, chlamydia violate its barrier functions, so these infections always occur accompanied by secondary bacterial and viral lesions.

The main causes of chlamydia

The main cause of the disease is the existence of a vast and practically uncontrolled reservoir of chlamydial infection, involving rodents (mice and rats), birds, and a large number of cats. Carriage of chlamydia in cats, according to some researchers, reaches 70%, while carriers may not have any clinical manifestations and at the same time serve as a source of infection.

Ways of infection

Considering the ways of infection with chlamydia, we can distinguish:

• contact way;
• alimentary (through the digestive organs);
• airborne;
• sexual;
• intrauterine and intranatal (during childbirth).

Factors contributing to the development of the disease

The main predisposing factor is immunodeficiency, a special role is played by the insufficiency of the T-cell link of immunity. All breeds are predisposed. In a special risk group, kittens born from a cat infected with chlamydia, as well as kittens from 8 weeks to 7 months. Additional factors contributing to the development of the disease may be meetings of a cat with neglected animals, keeping cats in cramped confined spaces - nurseries, shelters, zoo hotels.

How is chlamydia diagnosed in cats?

Most cases of chlamydia are characterized by chronic, as well as erased types of flow. The active participation of the attached bacterial flora, which always accompanies chlamydia, masks its symptoms.

First of all, chlamydia spreads to:

The incubation period and the first signs of the disease with an acute form of chlamydia

The incubation period lasts 3-20 days.

The disease begins, as a rule, with the development of conjunctivitis in one eye of a cat, usually after 5–10 days the process becomes bilateral. There is swelling of the conjunctiva with its redness, pronounced lacrimation. Edema increases the third eyelid, which becomes noticeable, which is not normal. The cat experiences severe discomfort and tries to scratch his eyes with his paw.

For the onset of the acute form of chlamydia, unilateral conjunctivitis is typical.

At the very beginning of the disease, the animal may have a temporary slight fever and fluctuations in appetite, but usually the condition remains satisfactory. A few days later, the secondary bacterial flora joins, and conjunctivitis acquires a mucopurulent character. The conjunctiva reddens more, photophobia and blepharospasm develop (the cat keeps its eyes closed, reflexively protecting them from irritation), and there may also be chemosis - a pronounced swelling of the conjunctiva, when it is infringed in the palpebral fissure during blepharospasm. The hair around the eyes is covered with dried mucopurulent discharge.

Mucopurulent conjunctivitis, as well as chemosis, characteristic of chlamydial infection, develop as a result of the addition of a secondary bacterial infection

A week after the development of conjunctivitis, signs of damage to the epithelium of the upper respiratory system appear in the form of sneezing and discharge from the nose.

If the animal does not receive treatment, then most of the symptoms of chlamydial infection disappear on their own, however, conjunctivitis and profuse mucopurulent discharge from the eyes will persist for several months, and the release of chlamydia from the conjunctiva of the affected eyes - up to a year and a half.

In severe chlamydia, the lungs and heart are affected, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath appear. There is a risk of developing fatal pulmonary edema, especially in teenage cats.

Against the background of severe immunodeficiency states, it is rare, but there are generalized forms of chlamydia, when chlamydia is carried by macrophages. In these cases, the brain and spinal cord, as well as joints, pericardium and other internal organs can be affected.

Chronic form

The chronic form of chlamydia can be the result of:

• the initial absence of clinical manifestations during infection (primary chronic form);
• not fully cured acute form.

The asymptomatic course is more typical for adult animals. If the disease started from an acute form, then in the absence of treatment after 15-30 days it becomes chronic. It is characterized by a gradual replacement of epithelial cells destroyed by chlamydia with connective tissue cells. On the part of the eyes, chronic chlamydia can be manifested by the development of follicular conjunctivitis.

Chlamydia has been isolated in 30% of cats with chronic conjunctivitis.

Chlamydia of the genitourinary system always occurs in a chronic form. In the body of an infected cat, chlamydia multiplies in the mucous membrane of the cervical canal; in infected cats, chlamydia multiplies in the testes and is excreted with sperm. By mating, cats infect each other. Sometimes, after mating with an infected cat, a transient mild malaise is noted in the cat, accompanied by conjunctivitis, most often unilateral. These signs go away without treatment, and childbirth ends with stillbirth or death of kittens during the first days after birth. The largest number of adverse pregnancy outcomes (abortions in the second half, stillbirths, reduced litter viability) occurs in the first pregnancy of infected cats. If the pregnancy is not the first, then the cat has already developed enough antibodies that protect the kittens.

Chlamydia in kittens

Kittens born from an infected cat can get chlamydia through the placenta while in the womb, as well as directly in childbirth, passing through the birth canal. Chlamydia freely infect the epithelium of all open cavities of the fetus.

Chlamydia crosses the placenta, infecting kittens in utero

A recognizable sign of chlamydia infection in newborn kittens is chlamydial neonatal conjunctivitis, as well as inflammation of the upper respiratory tract - kittens sneeze and cough. When a secondary infection joins, the babies weaken, stop eating, an increase in peripheral lymph nodes is observed, and the kittens die. The death of kittens after weaning and transfer to independent nutrition is possible, due to the fact that the baby ceases to receive antibodies in the composition of mother's milk. In this case, the cause of death is usually the rapid course of pneumonia. Surviving kittens may be accompanied by years of chronic sluggish conjunctivitis and persistent scanty nasal discharge. During all this time, they serve as a source of infection for others, releasing the pathogen into the external environment.

Diagnosis of chlamydia in cats

Clinical diagnosis in the case of chlamydia infection always requires laboratory confirmation.

Chlamydia may be suspected if there are ocular symptoms in combination with minimal signs of damage. respiratory system. Chemosis is characteristic. Cats with severe respiratory symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, cough) but without conjunctivitis are unlikely to have chlamydia.

Cases of adverse pregnancy outcomes are also suspicious for the presence of chlamydial infection.

Laboratory diagnosis of chlamydial infection is very great importance, since the clinical course of the disease is often asymptomatic or blurred. The following diagnostic methods are used:

• bacteriological method - the isolation of chlamydia from a biomaterial obtained from a cat by inoculation on a culture medium (excretions from conjunctival sac, cervical canal, nasopharynx, sperm);
• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) - the titer of antibodies to chlamydia in the cat's blood is determined and evaluated (a high titer indicates a current or recently transferred infectious process);
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a highly sensitive and highly specific method that allows you to reproduce a multiple increase in the number of chlamydia DNA molecules from a sample taken and establish a diagnosis even in cases where the pathogen in the provided material is very small.

The same research method that was used for the initial diagnosis should be repeated at the end of antibiotic therapy. For example, PCR when the first symptoms appear - repeat PCR 4 weeks after the completion of the course of therapy.

Treatment of cats in a veterinary clinic

Given that the general condition of cats usually remains satisfactory, only examinations and follow-up examinations are carried out in the veterinary clinic. All medical prescriptions are performed at home, but in some cases, if the doctor chooses treatment with intravenous forms of tetracycline, you will have to visit the clinic. An exception may also be the rapid course of chlamydial infection in kittens and young cats, when there is a need to support respiratory and cardiac functions. The veterinarian will be able to administer antibiotic infusion therapy, prescribe cardiotonic drugs, provide oxygen supply and other intensive care measures.

Therapy for chlamydia in cats at home

Both acute and chronic forms of chlamydial infection with a generally satisfactory condition of the cat are treated at home.

Therapy regimen

In the treatment of chlamydia in cats, there are three main groups of drugs used:

• Antibacterial drugs of systemic action. According to the recommendations of the European Advisory Council for the Treatment and Prevention of Diseases of Cats, tetracycline antibiotics are considered the drugs of choice, especially doxycycline at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight of a cat once a day orally; treatment should be continued for two weeks after the complete disappearance of the symptoms of chlamydia. Recent studies on chlamydia in cats indicate the need for a 4-week course of antibiotic therapy to ensure complete eradication of chlamydia. Antibiotics of the fluoroquinolone group are also effective; a safer choice for kittens would be to use a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.
• Immunomodulatory drugs:
  • Gamavit;
  • Fosprenil;
  • Maksidin.
• Antibiotics of local action: applications of eye ointments with tetracycline, erythromycin 2-3 times a day.

Table: overview of drugs used to treat feline chlamydia

Group	Antibacterial drugs			Immunomodulators			Local antibiotics
A drug		Azithromycin		Gamavit	Fosprenil	Maksidin		Erythromycin eye ointment
Release form	capsules 100 mg; tablets of 100 mg.	tablets and capsules of 125, 250, 500 mg; oral suspension 20 and 40 mg/ml.	Amoxicillin trihydrate + clavulanic acid tablets 50 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg	1 ml contains: sodium nucleinate - 0.02 mg; acid hydrolyzate of denatured emulsified placenta. Available in bottles of 6, 10, 100 ml.	Disodium salt of polypropenol phosphate; contains in 1 ml as active substance 4 mg disodium salt of polyprenols phosphate. Produced packaged in glass bottles of 10 and 50 ml.	1 ml as an active substance contains 4.00 mg of bis (pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate) germanium; is available packaged in 5 ml bottles	1 g of tetracycline ointment contains 0.03 g of tetracycline hydrochloride; available in aluminum tubes 3 g and 10 g	10000 U/g; available in tubes of 10 g
Indications	Infectious diseases: respiratory, genitourinary system; bile ducts; eye; skin; leptospirosis; chlamydia of various localizations.	Infectious and inflammatory diseases caused by microorganisms sensitive to azithromycin: respiratory system; ENT organs; urinary system.	Infectious diseases of bacterial etiology caused by susceptible microorganisms: skin diseases; urinary tract infections; respiratory diseases; enteritis.	stimulates natural resistance; increases the bactericidal activity of blood serum, the resistance of animals to stress and excessive loads; has an immunomodulatory effect; increases the safety and weight gain of young animals.	stimulation of nonspecific resistance; prevention and treatment of viral infections; strengthening the immune response to the introduction of the vaccine; decrease in morbidity and increase in weight gain in animals.	It is used as an immunomodulating agent in the complex therapy of diseases: infectious: viral enteritis; panleukopenia; plagues of carnivores; infectious rhinotracheitis; calicivirus; invasive: demodicosis; helminthiases; atopic dermatitis; alopecia.	Infectious eye diseases caused by microflora sensitive to the action of the drug: keratitis; conjunctivitis; blepharoconjunctivitis; keratoconjunctivitis; meibomites; chlamydia lesions.	Infectious and inflammatory eye diseases caused by sensitive microflora, including chlamydia
Contraindications	pregnancy; lactation; hypersensitivity to the components of the drug; insufficiency of liver function; leukopenia. Not recommended for use in kittens.	Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. With caution during pregnancy, requires the cessation of lactation.		Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug	Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug	Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug	individual sensitivity to the components of the drug; pregnancy; lactation.	history of jaundice; severe liver dysfunction; hypersensitivity to macrolides.
Dose	10 mg/kg every 24 hours or 5 mg/kg every 12 hours with food	5–10 mg/kg every 24 hours	parenterally 8.75 mg/kg IV with an interval of 8 hours; intramuscularly, subcutaneously - with an interval of 24 hours; 12.5–25 mg/kg orally 8–12 hours apart.	0.1 ml per kg body weight 3 times a week for 2-4 weeks	0.2 ml with a weight of up to 1 kg; 0.5 ml with a weight of 1 to 5 kg; from the 1st to the 2nd day - 4 injections per day (every 6 hours); from the 3rd to the 10th day - 3 injections per day (every 8 hours); from the 11th to the 13th day - 2 injections per day (every 12 hours); 14th and 15th days - one injection per day. The route of administration is intramuscular.	0.5 ml per kg body weight twice daily for 2-5 days	Application 2 times a day for 3-4 weeks	Frequency and duration of use are determined individually
Price	100 mg №20 - 22 rubles	500 mg №3 - 50 rubles	50 mg No. 10 - 192 rubles; injection solution 40 ml - 910 rubles.	10 ml - 138 rubles; 100 ml - 999 rubles.	50 ml - 737 rubles; 5 ml - 170 rubles.	5 ml - 140 rubles	3 g - 47 rubles; 10 g - 111 rubles.	95 rubles

Photo gallery: medicines for the treatment of chlamydia

Doxycycline is a semi-synthetic broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic. Synulox is antibacterial agent a new generation that will destroy the infection in the animal's body and put a reliable wall between the health of the animal and possible complications Tetracycline eye ointment is effective in many ophthalmic diseases: conjunctivitis, keratitis, blepharitis Gamavit is a multivitamin complex used in traditional veterinary medicine to normalize the immune system.

Sick Animal Care

A sick cat requires special measures to care for her:

Features of the treatment of pregnant cats and kittens

Antibacterial therapy for chlamydia is not carried out in pregnant cats if there is no threat to their lives. Chlamydia is usually suspected only after an unsuccessful pregnancy, followed by confirmation of the diagnosis and administration of therapy.

Treatment of chlamydia in kittens should begin immediately, as they are the most severe. It is recommended to use amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, since tetracycline antibiotics negatively affect the formation of bones, teeth, and liver function of a kitten.

Video: chlamydia in cats

Recovery period after illness

IN recovery period after an illness, good cat care is necessary to help restore its immunity:

• complete nutritional balance;
• continuation of vitamin therapy with the approval of a veterinarian;
• taking prebiotics to restore the affected barrier functions of the mucous membranes;
• continuation of treatment with immunomodulators;
• minimizing stressful situations for the cat;
• exclusion of contact with potentially infected animals.

Also, in cooperation with the veterinarian, the issue of the need for vaccination of the cat should be decided, since immunity to chlamydia is unstable. If doxycycline was used, then the procedure is carried out no earlier than 1 month from the end of therapy. If doxycycline was not used, then vaccination is possible after 3 days.

Forecast and possible consequences

The prognosis for chlamydia, taking into account the intracellular localization of the pathogen, is always cautious:

• In kittens and young cats, against the background of a rapid course of the infectious process with the addition of secondary flora and the development of atypical pneumonia, there is a high probability of death.
• In adult animals, as a result of ineffective treatment or its absence, a chronic process with the phenomena of chronic conjunctivitis and rhinitis is possible.
• As a result chronic inflammation organs of the reproductive system can form infertility.
• Some authors note persistent lameness as an outcome of the course of a generalized form of chlamydia with joint damage.
• Chronization of the undertreated process facilitates the occurrence of both viral and bacterial infections.
• In some cases, persistence of the infection is formed - when the reticular bodies of chlamydia, located inside the cells, slow down the metabolism, and the impact on them with an antibiotic becomes impossible.

The most favorable prognosis looks with the timely cure of the acute form of chlamydia with laboratory control of the absence of the pathogen in the body at the end of the course of antibiotic therapy.

Prevention

Taking into account the fact that absolutely all cats are susceptible to chlamydia infection, preventive measures are aimed at population protection and reducing the reservoir of chlamydia, reducing the incidence of its chronic course, and therefore the frequency of infection of healthy cats. As methods for preventing the spread of chlamydia in cats, there are:

• vaccination;
• early detection of chlamydia in cats;
• early initiation of therapy, achieving a complete cure;
• conducting a preventive examination for chlamydia of animals involved in breeding.

For cats at risk of exposure to infection, and especially when keeping several cats in a confined space, vaccination has been developed. Vaccination does not provide a 100% guarantee that the cat will not become infected, sick or require treatment, but will improve the course of chlamydia.

Kittens are vaccinated at 8–10 weeks of age, followed by a booster 3–4 weeks later.

Since there is some evidence that the duration of immunity after infection with chlamydia is approximately 1 year, revaccinations are carried out annually.

Used vaccines:

Reliable data comparing the effectiveness of live (Katavac chlamidia) and inactivated (Chlamicon, Multifel-4) vaccines do not yet exist.

Measures to protect a particular cat:

• vaccination;
• exclusion of communication of a cat with neglected animals;
• when mating - the requirement to confirm the absence of chlamydial infection in the opposite side;
• taking good care of the cat, which prevents the development of immunodeficiency conditions in it and increases the ability to resist chlamydia.

The danger of chlamydia in cats for humans and other pets

The causative agent of chlamydia in cats does not pose a significant epidemiological threat to humans. To date, there have been several reports of conjunctivitis caused by Chlamidofila felis in HIV-infected individuals. Therefore, theoretically, infection and the development of conjunctivitis can be expected in other immunodeficiency states, including pregnant women and young children.

Of the other animals living in the house, domestic rodents and birds are at risk of becoming infected, therefore, their contact with an infected cat should be prevented, as well as transferring the infection from the cat with the help of hands while caring. Cohabiting dogs are immune to feline chlamydia. If there are more cats, then all of them are subject to treatment.

Human Precautions

Caregivers should take precautions to avoid close contact with the cat until after treatment, and wash hands thoroughly after handling or cleaning the litter box. Pregnant women, young children, and immunocompromised individuals should avoid contact with an infected cat.

For the treatment of chlamydia, azithromycin (Sumamed) is used at a dose of 20 mg/kg on the first day, 10 mg/kg on the following days, the duration of therapy is three weeks. Or doxycycline at a dose of 10 mg / kg per day, lasting 2-3 weeks ... More reliably - three weeks. Additionally, you can use immunostimulants (cycloferon, for example). After treatment, take a wash for chlamydia again.

Veterinarian Maria Lvovna Soloshek

https://www.zoovet.ru/forum/?tid=7&tem=758260

Antibiotics or fluoroquinolones can be used for treatment along with immunoactive agents. Cats do not tolerate tetracyclines well. Fluoroquinolones should only be used in adult cats. Of the antibiotics, you can use: erythromycin, oleandomycin, tylosin, rovamycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin, clindamycin, rifampicin, chloramphenicol. Of the fluoroquinolones, you can use: ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequin, ofloxacin, and preferably lomefloxacin or sparfloxacin. Of the immunoactive agents, cycloferon can be used, and preferably roncoleukin. Roncoleukin is used in cats at a dose of 10,000 IU per kilogram of body weight, 3-5 injections per course of treatment. It is possible to conduct a second course 3-4 weeks after the end of the first

D.r. Möbius

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Chlamydia in cats is a widespread disease with multiple routes of transmission. All cats are susceptible, especially kittens and adolescent cats. The causative agent affects the epithelium and macrophages; favorite affected areas are the conjunctiva, respiratory and genitourinary systems. The course of the disease can be both acute and chronic. Often there is an erased or asymptomatic type of flow. In severe cases, generalization of the infection is possible. Vaccinal prophylaxis has been developed, but it only protects against heavy flow disease, but not infection. The prognosis of chlamydia is always cautious, given the intracellular localization of its pathogen.

I am Olesya. I am 38 years old; I have a higher medical education; I work in the pharmaceutical industry. I like to write on the topic of medicine, pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicine; as well as to translate texts on this topic, which are not yet very complex.

Chlamydia in cats is a chronic infectious lesion of organ cells caused by cellular microorganisms. Often this disease is accompanied by conjunctivitis and unwanted symptoms from the respiratory tract. In some cases, pneumonia is possible.

Chlamydia in cats can be caused by a microorganism called Chlamydia psittacia, which starts inside the cells themselves, making it more difficult to treat. This pathogen most of all affects the upper respiratory tract, for a long time, settling in their cells and quite difficult to treat. Animals have this disease. develops into a chronic infection of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

In addition to the respiratory system, the infection is able to seize the intestines, and the cells of the stomach and the reproductive system can also be affected. It is not always possible to accurately diagnose chlamydia, as the symptoms are overly varied, which can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis. Chlamydia has a risk of infection that can be transmitted to humans. Therefore, it is necessary to know what is chlamydia in cats, its symptoms and treatment.

The main signs of chlamydia in cats

• Exhaustion, sudden weight loss;
• The cat may be lame;
• Fever, chills;
• Lethargy, immobility;
• A marked decrease in appetite;

If the disease has developed into a chronic (subclinical) form of chlamydia, then at first glance it can be recognized with the help of the animal's conjunctiva: it usually always has a red-orange tint, and mucus is secreted from the animal's nose, it periodically hardens forming a crust.

Chlamydia in cats, symptoms and treatment

There are quite different signs that chlamydia in cats reveals, symptoms and treatment are always individual. In the early stages of the disease, feline chlamydia can cause a symptom such as fever. Usually this does not affect her appetite and well-being, so the first stage can go unnoticed by the owner.

A more alarming phase begins with manifestations of conjunctivitis, the cat has a discharge of mucus from the eyes, which in an advanced case develops into a purulent accumulation. The conjunctiva in the process of infection acquires a rich red color. It is also possible for it to leak. Already at the very beginning of the disease, rhinitis is noted, the animal has nasal discharge, accompanied by frequent sneezing and coughing. These symptoms develop into pulmonary edema, and if measures are not taken in time, the disease can drag on for a long time.

If measures were taken in time, then this disease will be tolerated much easier, in such cases only conjunctivitis and minor damage to the respiratory tract are possible. If during the disease there was a lesion of the genitourinary or digestive system, the symptoms in most of these cases do not appear. This disease has two forms - a latent form and subclinical.

Chlamydia in kittens

One of the most dangerous types of chlamydia is neonatal conjunctivitis. The kitten is already born with the disease, as the infection spreads rapidly in a pregnant cat that is a carrier of the disease. Therefore, chlamydia in kittens is also common and much more difficult to treat due to a weak immune system.

The reproduction of dangerous microorganisms in a newborn can take place not only in the mucous membrane of the eye, but also in the respiratory tract and other organs. Due to the intensive reproduction inside the cells of the bronchial system, pulmonary edema or bronchitis may occur.

The main carriers of chlamydia In nature, it is customary to consider rodents, they are able to spread this infection in any place, and since cats often interact with them, the risk of disease is quite high. Infection can be transmitted from one animal to another. For example, if a cat will actively contact with an infected individual, eat the same food with it and drink water from the same drinker, then the infection can easily enter her body.

Usually, adult cats have a fairly strong immune system, so the risk of disease is not too high, which cannot be said about newborn kittens. Feline chlamydia can be very harmful to a kitten, especially kittens that have recently been taken from their cat. During this period, the fragile body of a newborn kitten experiences great stress, and also ceases to receive especially important elements with cat's milk, which have a positive effect on the immune system.

Infected kittens can be exposed not only in utero, but also during the birth of an infected cat, in which the focus of infection is located in the genitourinary system. Chlamydia at this moment fall on all the mucous membranes of the fragile child's body causing intense inflammation. Adult cats are susceptible infection with chlamydia of the urogenital system through sexual contact with an infected individual.

Chlamydia of the reproductive system usually does not reveal characteristic symptoms. Sometimes you can observe a small discharge from the genitals, but often these symptoms are hidden. Therefore, there are times when the animal seems to be completely healthy, but in fact the disease simply does not cause concern. Chlamydia of the genital organs can reveal quite serious consequences in the end. This can lead to results such as:

• Infertility;
• stillbirth;
• preterm birth;
• Birth of non-viable, infected kittens;
• When identifying this disease in a pregnant cat, an abortion is usually recommended.

How to Diagnose Chlamydia in Cats

Chlamydia has common symptoms, which are similar to various ailments, therefore, to begin with, all similar diseases should be excluded.

At the initial stage, the reproduction of bacteria occurs within 5 days. Initially, the mucous membranes of the eyes are affected, conjunctivitis and frequent sneezing appear. But ulcers on the cornea can also appear.

Over the next 3-4 days, there are ulcers on the tongue and throughout the mouth and symptoms of severe pneumonia appear.

For the rest of the illness, a reovirus infection is born, which is very weak in structure compared to the symptoms described above, but it is present throughout the entire period of the disease, until recovery.

In the presence of all these symptoms, it is necessary to accurately establish the diagnosis with the help of a doctor, for this, the first step is a urine test, which shows the presence of leukocytes. If there are all pronounced symptoms of pneumonia, then an X-ray examination of the respiratory tract is mandatory. And it is also mandatory to have an examination for conjunctivitis, for this, conjunctival scrapings are taken, by which the level of the disease is determined.

Chlamydia in cats: treatment

With chlamydia, the animal does not need hospitalization and can be at home. Treatment is usually prescribed individually by a doctor, depending on the complexity and correctness of the diagnosis. get rid of this disease sometimes it can be difficult, especially if it is a subclinical form in which unwanted microorganisms multiply in certain parts of the body. Even a healed disease can manifest itself repeatedly. In this disease, not only chlamydia is terrible, secondary microflora can appear here, which can instantly begin to multiply on the affected cells, this may worsen the condition of the animal.

It is important to take into account the fact that the identified chlamydia in cats should be cured strictly under the supervision of a specialist, otherwise the animal can be healed, but this will not get rid of the problem. Treatment of chlamydia in cats and kittens should be started as soon as possible, since in the initial phase it is 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, the treatment of which is related, so the dosage is selected individually. Tetracycline is used in tablet form and as an ointment. The ointment must be used on the affected areas of the mucous membrane, including the conjunctiva. This drug has proven itself in the treatment of chlamydia, but not all cats tolerate it well.

Kittens are especially sensitive to antibiotics, here you definitely need the supervision of a doctor who will select correct dosage medicines for the treatment of chlamydia in a kitten. Antibiotics are also used in the form of an injection, usually injections for chlamydia in cats are prescribed for an acute form of the disease. . It is especially important not to stop the course of treatment, even if the condition of the animal has improved, this is not yet an indicator of the elimination of the infection from the body.

If there are several animals in the house, then preventive methods must be taken. If the cat's condition is in an acute form of the disease, then other animals must also be treated, as the infection spreads very quickly. Antibiotic treatment for chlamydia in cats should be continued for at least two weeks.

Chlamydia in cats: prevention

There are special complex vaccines against chlamydia in cats, vaccinations are done in veterinary clinics. Unfortunately, these vaccines do not promise a 100% guarantee of protection against chlamydia, therefore, even with a vaccinated animal, small rules should be observed:

Chlamydia in cats: a danger to humans

There is an opinion that chlamydia in cats can also affect human health. It is indeed possible, but such cases are very rare. When cats are infected with chlamydia, a person experiences some of the symptoms of this disease very weakly and the disease proceeds in a mild form and is quickly treatable, since human immunity is more resistant to this infection.

However, when caring for a sick animal, a person must take all precautions. It is important to wash your hands after any contact with a sick cat, and keep children away from the animal. It is desirable that the sick animal be isolated from family members in a separate room, however, if this is not possible, then you should simply reduce contact with the pet as much as possible and ventilate the room as often as possible.