Chlamydia in cats is a respiratory disease that is usually spread from contact with other cats. This condition is most commonly seen in young kittens and usually starts off with conjunctivitis, an abnormal eye discharge due to inflammation of the inside of the eyelid and the white part of the eye itself.

Is chlamydia in cats the same thing as chlamydia in humans?

While chlamydia in humans is a common sexually-transmitted infection (STI), it has no relation to sexual activity in cats. Chlamydia in cats is one form of the feline upper respiratory disease, and those with a chlamydophia infection will also have a viral upper respiratory infection such as calicivirus or herpesvirus.

It’s important for a veterinarian to give an accurate diagnosis for chlamydia in cats since its symptoms are similar to various other conditions (more on that later).

What cats are most likely to get chlamydia?

Chlamydia in cats is most common in multicat households or where cats are housed closed together, such as breeding facilities, shelters and foster homes.

Infections are more common in purebred cats, kittens under the age of one year old, cats with compromised immune systems and those who tend to become stressed easily by changes in their environment.

How do cats get chlamydia?

Chlamydia in cats is usually most severe in kittens, who acquire chlamydia from direct contact with an infected animal’s sneeze or cough, or even during the birthing process.

Luckily, indirect contact through the environment or handling is not as likely to transmit the infection because the bacteria can’t survive too long outside a kitten or cat’s body.

Signs of chlamydia in cats

The incubation period of chlamydia in cats is between three to 10 days, and again, conjunctivitis is the predominant sign. Other symptoms of chlamydia in cats include:

1. Fever
2. Mouth ulcers
3. Drooling
4. Difficulty swallowing or breathing
5. Depression
6. Yellowish-green ooze in the eyes
7. Sneezing
8. A runny nose

Signs of chlamydia in cats can last up to several weeks, and the cat’s weakened immune system can cause secondary symptoms as well.

Treatment and prevention of chlamydia in cats

Testing is required for a definitive diagnosis because chlamydia in cats is not the only cause of pink eye or symptoms listed above. Sick cats usually respond to antibiotics, and will likely need to stay on them for three to four weeks.

In homes with multiple cats, it may be recommended that all of them are treated simultaneously due to the contagious nature of chlamydia in cats. In rare instances, people can also develop conjunctivitis as a result and also require treatment. The best prevention is to wash your hands after handling a cat with conjunctivitis.

Building on what’s mentioned above, Thomas Kern, DVM, associate professor of ophthalmology at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine says, “Although conjunctivitis can occur in older cats, this is an infection that occurs primarily in young animals. It is most prevalent in catteries and other multiple-cat environments. In the course of their development, young cats may pick up a virus or a bacterium from an older cat. And, like kids, they play together and pass it around. Sooner or later, they all get it.”

Thumbnail: Photography ©Angelafoto | iStock / Getty Images Plus.

About the author

Writer Elizabeth Vecsi lives in the Hudson Valley with her five cats. Over the past two decades, she has been an editor and writer for The Whole Cat Journal, Cornell’s CatWatch and Tufts’ Catnip.

Read more about cat health and care on Catster.com:

• Can Cats Eat Bacon? Get the Facts
• What Were the Top 5 Feline Medical Conditions in 2018?
• Have You Cared for a Cat With Congestive Heart Failure?

The post Chlamydia in Cats – Signs, Prevention & Treatment by Elizabeth Vecsi appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Even a perfectly healthy cat will vomit from time to time, so cat vomiting shouldn’t be an automatic cause for alarm. You may even find your cat throwing up hairballs on an occasional basis, especially if your kitty is a fastidious groomer. However, a cat vomiting blood is a different story.

Normal Cat Vomiting vs. a Cat Vomiting Blood

“A lot of cats vomit on occasion,” says Richard E. Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, of the Animal Medical Center in NYC. “But I don’t think a cat owner should tolerate it at all — certainly not if it occurs more than once a week.”

One symptom that can accompany cat vomiting — and should raise serious concern for all cat owners — is a cat vomiting blood. This warrants a trip to your veterinarian immediately because it could mean that your cat is suffering from a potentially life-threatening health problem. This is especially true if the vomiting has persisted for more than three days.

A cat vomiting blood (called ‘hematemesis’), is a sign of a gastrointestinal disorder or some other form of bleeding. The blood may be either bright red and streaky, or dark in color like coffee grounds. Regardless of the appearance, a cat vomiting blood is a situation that must be taken seriously. Your veterinarian will give your cat a thorough examination and may run tests to identify the issue.

Symptoms of a Cat Vomiting Blood

If you notice your cat vomiting blood, and the blood in question is bright red, that means it’s fresh and may have been caused by trauma to the esophagus, such as an oral health condition or even swallowing a foreign object. A cat vomiting blood that’s dark may indicate issues taking place lower in the cat’s digestive tract.

Common symptoms that accompany a cat vomiting blood include:

1. loss of appetite
2. dehydration
3. weakness or lethargy
4. pawing at the mouth or teeth
5. diarrhea
6. black stool or blood present in the stool
7. shallow breathing
8. signs of anemia
9. signs of depression
10. pain or fever
11. seizures

Why is my Cat Vomiting Blood?

Possible reasons for a cat vomiting blood include —

1. an adverse reaction to medication
2. gingivitis
3. trauma to the esophagus
4. ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract or esophagus
5. respiratory disease
6. certain cancers (particularly if tumors are bleeding)
7. blood clotting conditions

Diagnosing a Cat Vomiting Blood

During the physical examination and any necessary diagnostic tests, your vet will be able to determine the reasons behind a cat vomiting blood — and also the best treatment protocol.

The veterinarian will likely analyze your cat’s blood and urine, in addition to performing an endoscopy, ultrasound, and/or X-rays. If cancer is suspected, the vet may take a biopsy of the gastrointestinal tract. Unless it’s specifically requested, you don’t need to bring a sample of vomit or stool to the veterinary clinic. Vets cannot effectively test vomit samples for disease and other conditions, so these likely won’t be helpful.

Treatment for a Cat Vomiting Blood

Obviously, treatment is dependent on the underlying cause of the cat vomiting blood. In many cases of a cat vomiting of blood because of disease, treatment may sometimes need to be more aggressive. However, other diseases may be managed by drug therapy. Brief hospitalization and intravenous fluid therapy may potentially be required to restore electrolytes and fluids lost during vomiting.

If the bleeding is caused by ulcers, the veterinarian may prescribe medication that will help prevent the ulcer from causing any more harm to the lining of the stomach and reduce the acidity of the stomach environment. A special diet is usually recommended. Surgery is another method of treatment for ulcers, which will require an endoscopy beforehand. Your vet will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor the ulcers through endoscopy.

If the reason behind a cat vomiting blood is cancer, treatment methods may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatment — depending on the location and stage of the cancer. Your vet will discuss the different options based on your cat’s specific needs.

Prognosis and Recovery for a Cat Vomiting Blood

Ultimately, the prognosis and recovery for a cat vomiting blood will vary based on the underlying cause and the recommended course of treatment. Be sure to follow all of your vet’s treatment and recovery instructions carefully. For instance, if your cat has been diagnosed with gingivitis, you will need to ensure that you take proper care of your cat’s teeth by brushing them each day. Your vet will be able to advise you on a dental care regimen.

If your cat has been prescribed drug therapy to treat gastrointestinal ulcers, it is imperative that you administer the medication for the entire duration of the recommended treatment period — even if symptoms start to clear up. Failure to do so could result in aggressive recurrence. If your cat has had surgery, make sure that he does not irritate the surgery site. After any major operation or procedure, you’ll need to provide a warm, safe place for your cat to rest. Your vet will be able to advise you on dietary changes, if necessary.

Thumbnail: Photography © Vladdeep | iStock / Getty Images Plus.

About the author

Writer Elizabeth Vecsi lives in the Hudson Valley with her five cats. Over the past two decades, she has been an editor and writer for The Whole Cat Journal, Cornell’s CatWatch and Tufts’ Catnip.

Read more about cat health and care on Catster.com:

• What to Feed a Cat Who’s Vomiting
• Hemp Benefits — 6 Hemp Products to Help Keep Your Cat Healthy
• How Long Are Cats Pregnant? The 5 Stages of Cat Pregnancy

The post Cat Vomiting Blood? What to Do by Elizabeth Vecsi appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Often during quiet evenings, when you’re petting your cat and she slips into a purr-filled trance, she seems like the gentlest and most tranquil of pets. But in her hidden world — which we mostly see in the form of play for indoor cats, especially — she is actually a highly skilled huntress ready to take down her prey at a moment’s notice. That’s where feline behaviors like cat pouncing come into play. Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons for cat pouncing — and how to satisfy those cat pouncing instincts for an indoor kitty.

Cat Pouncing Starts With the Stalk and Pounce

You’ll watch young kittens pouncing on their littermates (or whatever they deem as fun, moving targets) as a way to learn these hunting lessons. And for all cats, regardless of age, the process begins with dilated, fixed pupils and an attempt to seem as small and unnoticeable as possible. Moments before the inevitable cat pouncing comes the butt shimmy, and then the quick and powerful arc that lands her on top of her target. Job well done!

While it’s great fun to encourage kittens to pounce and play with us, it’s also extremely important to set ground rules early so they learn that toys are appropriate for cat pouncing and hunting play — but toes and hands are not. That tiny two-pound bundle of fur looks cute when she’s stalking and biting your feet, but a pouncing cat becomes considerably less fun when she’s all grown up and now weighing in at 10 pounds or more. Be sure to create house rules for a kitten that you’ll expect from an adult cat.

Satisfying the Indoor Cat’s Hunting and Pouncing Instincts

It’s obviously safer for your cat to be kept strictly indoors, and her health will definitely benefit. However, the great outdoors does hold a lot of rich and fertile opportunities for her to practice and carry out her cat hunting skills, like cat pouncing. Cat behavior problems can develop when the indoor world becomes too small, boring and devoid of the things she loves and needs to do.

“What would you do if your cat suddenly went psycho and started to attack you for no apparent reason, lying in wait and pouncing or stalking you with a faraway look reminiscent of [her] predatory cousins and ancestors?” asks noted animal behaviorist Nicholas H. Dodman, BVMS, DACVB, DACVAA.

The answer to satisfy cat pouncing and hunting instincts? Environmental enrichment. This means that you provide the things that will open up her world to allow her true cat self to flourish. Create a cozy window perch where she can comfortably watch the neighborhood birds and squirrels, and set up a vertical scratching post where she can stretch her physique and sharpen her claws. Grow some cat-safe grass so she can enjoy her very own indoor garden. Spend some time using clicker training to get her to learn tricks or behavior that you’d prefer.

Time to Break Out the Cat Games!

But what might please her the most is if you make time each day for some interactive play with well-chosen cat hunting toys. A wand with a mouse at the end is something that never gets boring, even for the most jaded of felines.

A cat laser pointer is also a good choice for cats, but be careful not to shine the light into their eyes. (Caveat: This toy is not considered to be a good choice for dogs, who can become obsessively fixated on chasing the red dot.) You’ll get a good opportunity to watch those cat pouncing, stalking and other hunting behaviors in all their glory. Just be sure that you intersperse it with a hunting game where she can capture her prey sometimes, too.

Read more about cat behavior on Catster.com:

• Do Cats Know Their Names?
• Why Do Cats Knead? Explaining Cat Kneading, a Quirky Cat Behavior
• Do Cats Get Jealous? How to Handle Cat Rivalry

Feature Image Credit: Anastasija Kru, Shutterstock

The post Cat Pouncing: Understanding Why & How They Do It by Elizabeth Vecsi appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.