Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) in catteries FAQ

How common is Bb in catteries and rescue shelters?

How can I treat cats suffering from Bb?

What can I do to help prevent Bb in my cattery?

What are the benefits of vaccinating against Bb?

Why have I never heard of Bb?
'Cat flu' or Upper Respiratory tract disease (URTD), is usually caused by viruses. The annual vaccinations currently given to cats provide some protection against the disease. However even some vaccinated cats get flu. Vets and researchers wondered why. Since little was known about feline Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) until recently vets have not been looking for it. For this reason the ‘menace’ of Bb infection has often gone undetected. Once vets started looking they discovered that Bb was more common than the respiratory viruses in some catteries.

How common is Bb in catteries and rescue shelters?
Studies performed in catteries in the UK and other European countries have shown that Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) is at least as common as the viral causes of respiratory disease. Bb was isolated from half of the cats in a study of 3 rescue shelters in the USA with a history of ongoing respiratory problems, far greater than the isolation rates for the viruses.

How can I treat cats suffering from Bb?
Your vet will be able to prescribe antibiotics for the blanket treatment of cats in your cattery. However, this is expensive and does not appear to prevent carrier cats from shedding Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) at a later date. This practice will also encourage the development of antibiotic resistance.

What can I do to help prevent Bb in my cattery?
Prevention of Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) can be undertaken by a combination of good cattery practice, good cattery design, care in the introduction of new cats, removal of chronic carrier cats and intranasal vaccination. Some general recommendations for the prevention of Bb (and other respiratory diseases) are included in the Good practice and prevention section).

What are the benefits of vaccinating against Bb?
The problem of respiratory disease in cats is frustrating, expensive and, in many cases, never appears to go away. Vaccinating against Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) will help in the fight against respiratory disease by:

• leading to a reduction of Bb-associated respiratory disease
• reducing the potential cost of antibiotics
• 'stopping the kitten killer'

• improve the welfare of the cats under your care
• show your customers that you really care for the safety of their cats and
• lead to more satisfied customers (and cats!)

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