**Frequently asked questions about Bordetella bronchiseptica infections in cats**

I thought Bordetella bronchiseptica was only a problem in dogs, what has it got to do with cats?

What are the clinical signs of Bordetella bronchiseptica infection?

How is Bordetella bronchiseptica infection diagnosed in cats?

How is Bordetella bronchiseptica infection treated in cats?

How can Bordetella bronchiseptica infection be prevented in cats?

I thought Bordetella bronchiseptica was only a problem in dogs, what has it got to do with cats?
Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) causes respiratory disease in many species including dogs, pigs and rabbits. It has now been extensively demonstrated that Bb is a primary respiratory pathogen in cats. Veterinarians are only now starting to look for the bacterium in cases of feline upper respiratory tract disease (URTD).

What are the clinical signs of Bordetella bronchiseptica infection?
The signs of Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) infection are very similar to those of FHV and FCV and include:

fever
sneezing
nasal discharge
submandibular lymphadenopathy
coughing (in some cases)

It is impossible to distinguish Bb infection from infection with FHV or FCV by clinical signs alone. As with FCV and FHV most cases of Bb normally resolve after about ten days with antibiotic therapy. In some cats, particularly young kittens, the infection can rapidly progress to a life-threatening bronchopneumonia.

How is Bordetella bronchiseptica infection diagnosed in cats?
Bordetella bronchiseptica infection can be diagnosed from oro-pharyngeal swabs. Swab samples should be transported in charcoal transport medium and sent to a diagnostic laboratory where they can be plated on to a selective medium such as Bordet-Gengou. However, chronic carrier cats often shed relatively few organisms and may require repeated oropharyngeal sampling.

How is Bordetella bronchiseptica infection treated in cats?
Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) infection can be treated with tetracycline (10mg/kg PO q8h) or doxycycline (10mg/kg PO q24h). Field strains appear to be less susceptible to amoxicillin/ clavulonic acid. Resistance to trimethoprim and ampicillin is widespread. There have also been reports of the emergence of tetracycline-resistant plasmids in Bb isolated from cats.

How can Bordetella bronchiseptica infection be prevented in cats?
Bordetella bronchiseptica infection can be prevented by vaccination. In high risk environments such as catteries and rescue shelters high standards of hygiene and good cattery practice are also essential.