In contrast to dogs, nearly all cases of conjunctivitis in cats are due to a primary pathogen. Chlamydia psittaci is a primary conjunctival pathogen of cats, and concurrent, clinically relevant respiratory disease is uncommon. Initially unilateral, it progresses to bilateral in approx 7 days. Spread to other household cats is not uncommon. Chemosis and serous discharge are characteristic clinical signs. Cytoplasmic inclusions are seen in conjunctival epithelial cells only early in disease (first 7-10 days). Chlamydia vaccines are available, but they are similar to vaccines for feline herpesvirus in that they decrease the severity of infection but do not prevent infection. Following recovery from infection organisms are shed for long periods of time from the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. The exact site of latency, however, is not clearly understood. It is appropriate to treat acute Chlamydial conjunctivitis empirically with topical antibiotics. Chlamydia are sensitive to tetracycline, erythromycin and chloramphenicol. Chlamydia are not sensitive to gentamicin. Conjunctival scrapings are sometimes helpful in identifying chlamydial conjunctivitis as intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies are found transiently during acute stages of the disease. IFA procedures on conjunctival scrapings may be helpful for confirmation, but false negative results are common.
展开▼
