Changes

:''[[Chlamydophila felis]]''

:''[[Chlamydophila felis]]''

:''[[Bordetella bronchiseptica]]''

:''[[Bordetella bronchiseptica]]''

:Other bacteria and viruses act as secondary invaders eg. Mycoplasmas, ''Pasteurella multocida'', ''Staphylococcus'' spp., Reovirus

:Other bacteria and viruses act as secondary invaders eg. [[Mycoplasmas]], ''[[Pasteurella multocida]]'', [[:Category:Staphylococcus species|''Staphylococcus'' spp.]], Reovirus

The condition is more likely to occur in '''groups of cats''' and therefore individuals in '''boarding catteries, breeding colonies and rehoming centres''' are more likely to be affected.

The condition is more likely to occur in '''groups of cats''' and therefore individuals in '''boarding catteries, breeding colonies and rehoming centres''' are more likely to be affected.

Outbreaks are still common despite widespread vaccination.

Outbreaks are still common despite widespread vaccination.

==Clinical signs==

==Clinical Signs==

Clinical signs vary in severity and type according to the infective organism, the level of exposure to the organism, and the immune status of the affected individuals.

Clinical signs vary in severity and type according to the infective organism, the level of exposure to the organism, and the immune status of the affected individuals.

The following tests can be used to isolate the organism responsible:

The following tests can be used to isolate the organism responsible:

:'''Viral isolation''': oral or conjunctival swabs to detect Feline Herpesvirus and Feline Calicivirus

:'''Viral isolation''': oral or conjunctival swabs to detect Feline Herpesvirus and Feline Calicivirus

:'''PCR''': conjunctival swab to detect Chlamydophila felis

:'''PCR''': conjunctival swab to detect ''Chlamydophila felis''

:'''Culture''': oral or nasal swabs to detect Bordetella bronchiseptica

:'''Culture''': oral or nasal swabs to detect ''Bordetella bronchiseptica''

'''Serology is not useful''' due to the widespread practice of vaccination. The majority of cats will have positive antibody titres to the causal organisms.

'''Serology is not useful''' due to the widespread practice of vaccination. The majority of cats will have positive antibody titres to the causal organisms.

'''Aggressive supportive care''':  

'''Aggressive supportive care''':  

:Assist the cat's respiration: providing an oxygen-enriched atmosphere, clear secretions from the external nares, nebulise saline to assist clearance of secretions from the airways, provide decongestants.

:Assist the cat's respiration: providing an oxygen-enriched atmosphere, clear secretions from the external nares, nebulise saline to assist clearance of secretions from the airways, provide decongestants.

:Provide fluid therapy: intravenously to provide maintenance requirements if the patient is too debilitated to drink

:Provide [[:Category:Fluid Therapy|fluid therapy]]: intravenously to provide maintenance requirements if the patient is too debilitated to drink.

:Provide '''nutritional support''': cats are often inappetant. They can be enticed with warm and smelly foods, given appetite stimulants such as cyproheptadine or diazepam. An oesophagostomy tube may have to be considered in severely debilitated cats.

:Provide '''nutritional support''' as cats are often inappetant. They can be enticed with warm and smelly foods, given appetite stimulants such as cyproheptadine or diazepam. An oesophagostomy tube may have to be considered in severely debilitated cats.

'''Antiviral agents''' are controversial, but may be useful in cases of Feline Herpesvirus infection, where iododeoxyuridine can be used topically in cases of keratitis/corneal ulceration.

'''Antiviral agents''' are controversial, but may be useful in cases of Feline Herpesvirus infection, where iododeoxyuridine can be used topically in cases of keratitis/corneal ulceration. Femciclovir may also be beneficial in cases of herpesvirus infection. Oral or topical interferon therapy is still a controversial treatment.

 

Femciclovir may also be beneficial in cases of herpesvirus infection.

 

Oral or topical interferon therapy is still a controversial treatment.

==Control==

==Control==

This is especially important in multicat households.

This is especially important in multicat households and catteries.

#Reduce overcrowding

#Reduce overcrowding

#Maintain cat populations as closed as possible: keep cats is separate, stable groups, reduce the number of young cats, separate the groups with adequate partitions

#Maintain cat populations as closed as possible: keep cats in separate, stable groups, reduce the number of young cats, separate the groups with adequate partitions

#Maintain good hygiene: thorough and regular cleaning and disinfection

#Maintain good hygiene: thorough and regular cleaning and disinfection

#Reduce stress

#Reduce stress

#Use of an isolation unit: with separate equipment

#Use of an isolation unit: with separate equipment

#Use of a kittening room

#Use of a kittening room

#'''Vaccination''': vaccination is strongly advised against Feline Herpesvirus 1 and Feline Calicivirus to reduce infectious disease. Queens should receive a booster before mating to maximise maternally-derived antibody. Vaccines are also available against ''Chlamydophila felis'' and Bordetella.

#'''Vaccination''': vaccination is strongly advised against Feline Herpesvirus 1 and Feline Calicivirus to reduce infectious disease. Queens should receive a booster before mating to maximise maternally-derived antibody. Vaccines are also available against ''Chlamydophila felis'' and ''Bordetella''.

 

'''Problems with vaccines''': No vaccine offers 100% protection, and vaccination does not always prevent infection.  

Not all strains of Feline Calicivirus are covered by the most commonly used strains of vaccine, which means that cats can develop the disease despite having been vaccinated. Cats may also develop infection with agents against which they are not vaccinated, eg. Chlamydia and Bordetella.

'''Problems with vaccines''': No vaccine offers 100% protection, and vaccination does not always prevent infection. Not all strains of Feline Calicivirus are covered by the most commonly used strains of vaccine, which means that cats can develop the disease despite having been vaccinated. Cats may also develop infection with agents against which they are not vaccinated, eg. ''Chlamydia'' and ''Bordetella''.

The cat may have been exposed to an overwhelming challenge, or may be immunosuppressed due to another disease such as FIV or FeLV.

The cat may have been exposed to an overwhelming challenge, or may be immunosuppressed due to another disease such as FIV or FeLV.

Gaskell, R. (1999) '''Infectious diseases of the cat''' ''Saunders''

Gaskell, R. (1999) '''Infectious diseases of the cat''' ''Saunders''

[[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Cat]]

[[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Cat]]