• Because chlamydial infection is thought to be transmitted in a manner similar to that for the feline respiratory viruses, similar control measures to stop the spread of infection should apply.
• Because persistent or recurrent infection in a colony situation is common, it is important to treat all individuals in a cattery at the same time.
• Vaccination against feline C. psittaci infection has been employed in the USA for some years, and more recently in the UK and some other countries. Early vaccines were produced in eggs, but cell culture-derived vaccines have been developed. There has been some discussion as to the efficacy of the vaccines in the past. However, more recent studies have demonstrated significant but not always complete protection against disease, but not necessarily against shedding. Protection appears to last for at least 1 year.
• Although there are only isolated case reports of possible zoonotic infection with the feline strain of C. psittaci, it is nevertheless wise to suggest taking hygiene precautions when handling or treating an infected pet.

Back to menu