Mycoplasmosis is a serious infectious disease. Even if the owner is confident in the diagnosis, the pet must be shown to the veterinarian. Only a specialist can prescribe treatment taking into account all the individual characteristics of the animal: breed, age, weight, state of health. This is especially important, because there are two pathogens: Mycoplasma gatae and Mycoplasma felis.
What is mycoplasmosis in cats?
The causative agents of the disease are called mycoplasmas. These are unicellular microorganisms. Once in the body, they attach to the cells and parasitize on them. The danger is represented by the waste products of mycoplasmas. For cats, the microorganisms Mycoplasma Gatae and Mycoplasma Felis pose the greatest threat, but others exist in nature.
Mycoplasmas differ in their effects on the body. Mycoplasma gatae causes polyarthritis. Mycoplasma Felis affects not only the joints, but also the liver, reproductive system. Infection often manifests itself in the form of rhinitis, and in advanced cases there is pneumonia, pulmonary edema.
Any cat can be a carrier of pathogens. However, only in unfavorable conditions for it does mycoplasma have a chance of reproduction. Decreased immunity, hypothermia, prolonged fasting, concomitant infections lead to infection with mycoplasmosis. There are several transmission mechanisms: airborne, sexual, and also kittens from the mother. The disease is treatable.
Symptoms of mycoplasmosis infection in cats
That the cat is unhealthy, its owner will know immediately. At the initial stage, the symptoms of mycoplasmosis in cats manifest as follows:
- Sneezing (rhinitis).
- Watery, reddened, and swollen eyes.
- Cough.
- Whistling and wheezing breaths.
If the animal’s immunity is strong, even if untreated, the symptoms may disappear for a while. This does not mean that the cat cured by itself. It’s just that the disease went into its chronic form. The danger of mycoplasmosis in cats is a devastating effect on the lungs. Against the background of bronchitis, pneumonia develops, and then the animal dies.
Penetrating into the urinary system, mycoplasmas provoke cystitis, vaginitis and endometritis. Males are very affected by prostatitis and urethritis. In the area of joints, lesions of an erosive nature appear, leading to the development of arthritis. Digestion is disturbed. Diarrhea alternates with constipation. Discharge from the eyes, nose, urethra acquire a purulent character. The skin may change color, and wool forms around the ulcers that form.
Kittens and young individuals up to 2 years old are most easily infected. A pregnant female passes the infection to offspring. The danger of untimely treatment is that when pathogens are eliminated, acquired complications can remain for life. For example, impaired vision, impaired sense of smell, dysfunction of internal organs.
And if there are no symptoms?
The apparent symptoms of infection are not always traced. It happens that there are almost no external signs, and the disease progresses. In this case, the host observation is important. Changing the behavior of the cat, its different from normal reactions should alert the owner. Usually an infected animal becomes lethargic, drowsy, weakened. All this happens due to a decrease in the body's defenses. The cause may be another disease. It is best to immediately visit a veterinarian and get tested.
How to help?
The first thing to do is to visit a veterinary clinic. Diagnosis of mycoplasmosis in cats is quite difficult, since dangerous microorganisms can merge with healthy cells. However, it is very important to establish the cause of the disease. Only in this case, the doctor will prescribe drugs that will help, and not harm.
In modern veterinary practice, the following types of tests are used to identify the causative agent of mycoplasmosis:
- Conjunctival swab.
- PCR analysis of swabs from the upper respiratory tract.
- ELISA blood test to identify the virus.
When the results are ready, the doctor will be able to offer the optimal treatment regimen. Detection of mycoplasmosis in cats (symptoms) and treatment based on the diagnosis will give the greater effect the sooner the owner contacts a veterinarian. It is likely that tests will show the presence of concomitant infections. This happens quite often. Then you will have to conduct therapy taking into account the objective picture of the animal’s health status.
Treatment of mycoplasmosis in cats
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against this disease. Therapy in any case will be long in time. Since mycoplasmas affect all internal organs, treatment should be comprehensive. No less important is the recovery period.
The composition of the prescribed drugs can be:
- Tetracycline antibiotics.
- Immune drugs containing azithromycin, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin.
- Treatment of mucous membranes of the eyes with drops: ribotan, roncoleukin, cycloferon, immunofan.
- Carsil is prescribed to maintain liver function.
- Probiotics to restore digestion.
- Painkillers, antiemetics, antidiarrheal drugs are prescribed in the presence of appropriate symptoms.
- Interferon is selected individually.
- To increase the resistance of cells to mycoplasmas, feliferon is prescribed.
But what about the man?
This question is most often asked by veterinarians about sick pet owners. Indeed, how dangerous is mycoplasmosis in cats for other animals, birds, humans? There is no consensus on this, but general recommendations have been made.
It is believed that for each type of living creature there are 1-2 dangerous varieties of mycoplasmas. A sick cat does not bear a direct threat to the owner. However, pregnancy, a weakening of the immune system against the background of a disease, a state of stress can lead to the fact that a person will fall ill.
The first thing you need to take care of the owner of a sick animal is to ensure a strict hygiene regime. Trays, stove benches, pet feeders should be thoroughly decontaminated regularly. Communication cat with children is better to limit. After each contact, be sure to wash your hands. For the speedy recovery of the animal it is very important to ensure peace and comfort.
The only available method of protecting a cat provides for an annual scheduled inspection by a veterinarian. The specialist will offer a vaccine against viral diseases. The second component of success is a properly selected diet rich in vitamins and proteins.