Treatment of cats with conjunctivities and keratites for chlamidia infection

The article presents the results of research and treatment of cats with chlamydia in Poltava. The most common clinical sign of feline chlamydia is conjunctivitis (57 %) and keratitis (9.5 %). The combination of keratitis with conjunctivitis was found in 6 animals (28 %). Laboratory diagnosis of chlamydial infection was based on detecting chlamydial structures in a light microscope. In mild cases, when studying smears after Romanowski staining, Galbedstedter-Provachek bodies, which are cytoplasmic inclusions characteristic of chlamydia, were found in the material. Inclusions were painted according to Romanovsky-Gimza in blue and contained large reticular bodies, which, and small elementary bodies, were painted in purple-red. They were usually located near the nucleus. In the early stages of development, the parasites reached only 2–4 μm in diameter. At some stages of inclusion, they had a larger diameter and occupied the entire cytoplasm of the cell. The cell nucleus was displaced to the periphery of the membrane and changed shape. In addition to typical inclusions, parasites were often detected at the stage of reticular bodies. As a rule, the cells showed signs of damage in such cases. The treatment of cats with chlamydia was comprehensive. Antichlamydial therapy combines antibacterial therapy and immunocorrection. Cycloferon 12.5 % (aqueous solution for injection) was used as an immunomodulator for treating chlamydia. It was administered intramuscularly at a rate of 10 mg/kg body weight once a day–a total of ten injections. The second course was carried out in three weeks. Application Cycloferon 12.5 % was combined with an antibacterial agent. Azithromycin 10% was used as an antibacterial agent. It was included in the treatment regimen from the second day of application of Cycloferon 12.5 % intramuscularly, 1 ml per 10 kg of body weight; for 14 days (every 72 hours). Vigamox eye drops were instilled one drop into each eye four times a day for 21 days. In persistent conjunctival hyperemia, 1 % Emoxipin was prescribed as a capillary stabilizing agent. It was administered subconjunctivally in two drops (0.2–0.3 ml) twice a day for 15 days. Prodevit was used as a vitamin preparation. It was administered subcutaneously in a dosage of 0.3 ml: once every seven days. In most animals, improvement in clinical condition was noted on days 13–15 after treatment. During this period, there were no signs of purulent conjunctivitis, breathing improved, and wheezing was not heard. In animals diagnosed at the initial stage of the disease, clinical recovery occurred 7–8 days after treatment.