Page 1223 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

59 – THE CAT WITH OCULAR DISCHARGE OR CHANGED CONJUNCTIVAL APPEARANCE 1215

production and chemotaxis of neutrophils, and Infection is via contamination of mucous membranes
inhibit lipases, collagenases and prostaglandin (ocular, oral or inhalation of virus).
synthesis. Research also shows that tetracyclines
exert other pleiotrophic properties independent Prevention
of their antimicrobial activity, which include inhi-
Vaccination with live modified or killed vaccines (see
bition of metalloproteases, blockade of nitrous
page 10, The Cat With Acute Sneezing or Nasal
oxide synthetase (a potent mediator of inflamma-
Discharge).
tory activity), suppression of tumor progression,
bone resorption and angiogenesis. Elimination of carrier cats from catteries. Remove
queens that repeatedly have infected litters, or wean kit-
Improving ocular hygiene is beneficial.
tens early.
● Regular cleaning of infected eyes with polyionic eye
wash solutions will make the cat feel more comfort-
CHLAMYDOPHILA (CHLAMYDIAL)
able, and suppress secondary bacterial infection.
KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS***
Prognosis Classical signs

The prognosis for a full and uneventful recovery in ● In kittens, intense hyperemia and
young cats is very good. chemosis, usually unilateral, followed by
bilateral conjunctivitis.
In young cats with very severe inflammation, symble-
● Serous ocular discharge changing to
pharon formation will create chronic eye problems that
a copious mucopurulent discharge after
may include:
a few days.
● Poor eyelid and nictitating membrane function
● Mild respiratory signs with sneezing and
caused by conjunctival adhesions.
a seromucoid nasal discharge.
● Disruption to the corneal limbal stem cells, which
● Diffuse conjunctival follicle formation with
may result in permanent scarring and abnormal-
serous discharge in older cats with chronic
ity of the cornea.
infection.
● Epiphora results from scarring and occlusion of
the puncta.
See main reference on page 13 for details (The Cat
● Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) may be seen on
With Acute Sneezing or Nasal Discharge).
rare occasions.
In adult cats, a chronic recurrent state may develop, and Pathogenesis
in these cases the prognosis for permanent recovery is
Chlamydophila felis psittaci is responsible for disease
guarded.
in about 20% of cats with respiratory tract signs.
Virus replication occurs in the cornea, and although Sneezing with a seromucoid nasal discharge may be
not clinically obvious at the time of infection, this seen.
will manifest in older cats as a chronic dendritic (geo-
Chlamydophila felis psittaci infections in cats prima-
graphic) keratitis, sometimes years after the initial
rily affect the conjunctiva. The organism can be found
infection. See The Cat With Eye Problems Confined to
experimentally in other tissues of the urogenital and
the Cornea (page 1238).
gastrointestinal tract.
Transmission The course of the disease is 7–21 days.
FHV-1 is a ubiquitous viral organism found all over Conjunctival epithelial cells are infected, and have intra-
the world and is highly infectious. cytoplasmic inclusion bodies typical of this organism.
Infection of kittens may occur through direct contact Histologically, neutrophils predominate early, followed
with a carrier queen. Virus is shed 4–6 weeks after by infiltration with macrophages, lymphocytes and
queening. plasma cells.