Kitten problems

[Rabruf]

My 12 week old kitten this morn. had a very swollen eye, could not open it. Took him to the vet and he couldn't say exactly what was wrong as he couldn't get the eye open. He suggested it could be clamidia. Does anyone know what this is, he has not been sneezing or coughing it just came on. Suggested we have the other two kittens vacinated but it could be too late for tiger. This to me sounded fatel. Am I right. Could someone please help me. Many thanks.

[robber1]

Here is what the condition is. It mentions the eye, but are you sure the vet told you Chlamydia? Chlamydia are intracellular parasites. They cause inflammation of the urethra, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, anus and ovaries. They cause a sexually transmitted disease, that may also be transmitted to the eyes or lungs of a newborn infant. When chlamydia is diagnosed, all sexual partners must be treated. Sexually transmitted Chlamydia infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Trachoma is a persistent eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It is common in underdeveloped parts of the world, particularly hot climates with poor sanitation. It is one of the world's leading causes of blindness. It may also cause an acute conjunctivitis of the eye. Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria is spread by vaginal sexual intercourse, rectal sexual intercourse and oral-genital contact Vaginal infection during delivery of a newborn may infect the baby. Trachoma, caused by infection of the eye with this organism, is spread with contaminated hands or through flies. It occurs in areas of crowding and poor sanitation. Symptoms of sexually transmitted chlamydia infections include vaginal discharge or urethral discharge. There may be anal swelling. Pain may occur in the rectum with discharge. There may be redness and swelling of the vagina or the tip of the penis. Lower midline abdominal pain may occur. Painful urination may develop. If infection develops in the eye it will produce a red, painful eye. There is increased tearing.

[PurplePixie]

Feline Chlamydia is not quite the same as the human type...so don't panic! It's an infection like cat flu, but not quite as severe...just can be very persistant & hard to shake off. The cat normally doesn't go off it's food or anything & is well in itself, but can present with a gunky & swollen eye. It can also have a runny nose & be a bit sneezy...temperature might go up in the first few days but then down again (unlike cat flu) It usually lasts about 6 to 8 weeks,often going away & then coming back. Sometimes it's best to treat all the cats in the household whether they have symptoms or not. There is actually a vaccine available, but I don't know much about it. Like I said it can be tricky to shake it off...but not the end of the world. Just make sure you take extra care to wash your hands all the time & good hygene around the kittens will help.Good luck.

[robber1]

Pheew, thanks for that Pixie. I like cats and was worried for Rabruf. :o)

[cudgie]

My mother-in-laws cat had a swollen eye once and she took it to the vet, he said it was an infection, so he lanced it and put a padding over it and prescribed some antibiotics and now it's ok.