Case report 1

Outbreak and management of Bordetella bronchiseptica in a UK cattery

In the summer of 2002 several cats & kittens in a UK cattery experienced persistent coughing. Feline Bordetella bronchiseptica was isolated with a throat swab. The primary symptom in kittens was a rattling in the chest while adult cats experienced coughing. All cats were put on antibiotic therapy (Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid) but were unresponsive therefore the antibiotic was changed to Doxycycline. Subsequently three litters (born in August & September) began to show similar symptoms. After one kitten became severely ill the antibiotic therapy was changed to Azithromycin. This therapy resulted in a significant improvement within 24 hours and thereafter all other cats were given Azithromycin. All rapidly recovered.

Several weeks later all animals (approx. 35 adult cats & kittens) were vaccinated with Intervet's Nobivac Bb for cats and some of them were subsequently tested for Feline Bordetella. All returned negative results.