Page 2442 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Conjunctivitis, Feline 1208.e3

Conjunctivitis, Feline
VetBooks.ir Rhinotracheitis (Herpes virus; Mycoplasma and

Feline caliciviruses (picornaviruses,
Chlamydia felis (formerly
Mycoplasma spp, Bartonella
Feline herpesvirus
Agent FHV) Caliciviral Disease (FCV) Chlamydiosis Other Infections
numerous strains) Chlamydophila felis, henselae, Staphylococcus
Chlamydia psittaci) pyogenes, Pasteurella
multocida, Bordetella
bronchiseptica, and others
SIGNS:
Severity Regularly more severe Mild to moderate, subclinical Mild Subclinical infections
infections common common
Ocular Lacrimation, conjunctivitis, chemosis Lacrimation, sometimes Conjunctivitis (can be Conjunctivitis
conjunctivitis follicular)
Nasal Serous or mucopurulent discharge, Serous or mucopurulent discharge, Nasal discharge rare None or purulent
sneezing occasional sneezing, ulceration
of external nares
Oral Occasional small vesicles and ulcers in Frequent ulceration on anterior None None
buccal epithelium dorsal margin of tongue and
hard palate, gingivitis
Other Coughing, abortion, fading kittens, skin Paw erosions, limping; uncommon None None
ulcers, CNS signs virulent form can cause severe
systemic illness or even death
Course 2-4 weeks 7-10 days Often chronic or recurrent May be chronic
Incubation (natural 2-10 days 1-9 days 6-15 days Usually secondary
infection) Differentials, Lists, and Mnemonics
Immunity Initially low and transient, can be Some strains produce broad cross- Weak, transient Weak, transient
boosted and become persistent protection clinically but allow
reduced viral multiplication
Diagnosis Demonstration of intranuclear Tissue culture isolation, FA test; Conjunctival smears Culture; PCR
inclusions in H&E-stained biopsy PCR Giemsa-stained to show
specimens, tissue culture isolation, elementary bodies, CF
FA test; PCR tests; PCR
Inclusions Intranuclear inclusions in respiratory None Intracytoplasmic elementary None
epithelial cells, conjunctiva, and bodies in conjunctival
other such areas epithelial cells
Carrier state Latent phase with periodic excretion Continuous shedding until Yes Yes
after stress self-clearance
Morbidity High High Variable Variable
Mortality High in kittens, aged, or Variable; may be moderate in Very low Very low
immunocompromised young kittens or high with
systemic virulent virus
Maternal antibody <9 weeks <11 weeks Unknown Unknown
Prophylaxis MLV MLV MLV None
Treatment Symptomatic, supportive with Symptomatic, supportive with Tetracyclines topical/oral, Antibiotics
antibiotics; oral L-lysine as needed; antibiotics pradofloxacin oral
potentially other antiviral drugs (e.g.,
topical trifluridine) or interferon

CF test, Complement-fixing test; CNS, central nervous system; FA test, fluorescent antibody test; H&E, hematoxylin and eosin stain; MLV, modified live vaccine; PCR, polymerase chain reaction.
Modified from Kirk RW: Current veterinary therapy VI, Philadelphia, 1971, Saunders, p 1284. Modified with permission from Panel report, colloquium on feline diseases. J Am Vet Med Assoc 158:838-839, 1971.

www.ExpertConsult.com