Bordetella bronchiseptica Infection in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Prevention
Preventive care and hygiene routines curb respiratory outbreaks among susceptible felines.
Bordetella bronchiseptica Infection in Cats
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterial pathogen that primarily affects the respiratory tract of cats, causing illnesses ranging from mild upper respiratory infections to severe, life-threatening pneumonia. While it is most notorious for causing ‘kennel cough’ in dogs, this bacterium can infect felines as well, especially those in shelters or multicat environments. This article provides an in-depth exploration of Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in cats, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, management, prevention, and frequently asked questions.
What is Bordetella bronchiseptica?
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the respiratory tracts of a wide range of mammals. In cats, it attaches to and damages the ciliated cells of the respiratory epithelium, impairing the normal clearance of mucus and pathogens and leading to respiratory illness. The bacterium is often associated with outbreaks in environments where cats are housed in close proximity, such as catteries, shelters, and breeding facilities.
How Common is Bordetella Infection in Cats?
Bordetella bronchiseptica is less common in cats than in dogs but remains a significant cause of contagious upper respiratory disease, especially among young kittens and cats in high-density settings. While most infections are mild, severe cases can occur in kittens or immunocompromised cats, sometimes resulting in pneumonia or even death.
How Does Bordetella bronchiseptica Spread?
The bacterium is primarily spread through:
- Aerosol droplets produced when an infected animal coughs or sneezes
- Direct contact between animals
- Contaminated surfaces or fomites, such as bedding, litter boxes, or food dishes
Cats can acquire the infection from other cats or even from dogs that are coughing or shedding the organism. The organism is relatively resilient in the environment but can be easily destroyed by most common disinfectants.
Which Cats Are at Greatest Risk?
- Kittens (especially those under 12 weeks of age)
- Cats living in multicat households, shelters, or catteries
- Cats exposed to dogs or other animals with respiratory disease
- Cats experiencing stress (due to travel, overcrowding, or illness)
- Immunocompromised felines (due to other infections or underlying health issues)
Symptoms of Bordetella bronchiseptica Infection
The clinical signs of Bordetella infection can vary from mild respiratory illness to severe, potentially fatal, pneumonia. The most common symptoms include:
- Coughing (often persistent)
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge (clear, yellow, or green)
- Ocular discharge (eye discharge)
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Enlarged lymph nodes
In severe infections (more common in kittens or stressed cats), signs can progress to:
What others are reading
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
- Cyanosis (bluish coloring of the gums/tongue)
- Pneumonia
- Death (rare, but possible if untreated)
How Long Do Signs Last?
In most cases, symptoms persist for 7–10 days. Mild cases may resolve more quickly, while severe infections may last longer and require intensive care.
How is Bordetella Diagnosed in Cats?
Bordetella bronchiseptica infection is diagnosed through a combination of clinical signs and laboratory testing. The primary methods include:
- Clinical examination: Assessment of respiratory symptoms and history, especially exposure to other animals with respiratory disease.
- Laboratory testing:
- Oropharyngeal (throat) swab: Collected for culture or PCR testing.
- Bacterial culture: Traditional method using specific medium.
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): Detects the DNA of Bordetella bronchiseptica, offering higher sensitivity, though both tests can sometimes fail to confirm the infection if sample collection or timing is suboptimal.
- Tracheal wash or bronchoalveolar lavage: Reserved for severe or persistent cases, often when lower respiratory disease is suspected.
Challenges in Diagnosis
- Culture and PCR may both lack sensitivity—a negative test does not entirely rule out infection.
- Co-infection with other respiratory pathogens (such as Feline Herpesvirus or Calicivirus) is common, potentially complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment and Management of Bordetella Infection
Treatment usually involves antibiotics and supportive care:
Antibiotic Therapy
- Doxycycline is considered the antibiotic of choice (5 mg/kg every 12 hours, or 10 mg/kg every 24 hours for 7–10 days).
- Fluoroquinolones are an alternative option.
- Whenever possible, antibiotic sensitivity testing should be performed to guide therapy, since some strains may exhibit resistance to certain drugs.
Supportive Care
- IV fluids for dehydration or cats unable to drink/eat
- Oxygen therapy for severe respiratory distress
- Nutritional support: Appetite stimulants (e.g., mirtazapine) and, if necessary, feeding tube placement in cats that stop eating for more than three days
- Nebulization or steam therapy to relieve congestion and loosen respiratory secretions
- Mucolytic agents (e.g., bromhexine) to help reduce mucus, if recommended by your veterinarian
- Intensive nursing care for severely ill cats, especially those with pneumonia
Most cats with Bordetella infection experience only mild illness and recover quickly with appropriate therapy. Very severe cases, especially in kittens, may be life-threatening and require hospitalization.
How Can Bordetella Infection Be Prevented?
Prevention of Bordetella infection in cats hinges on minimizing exposure and using vaccines when indicated:
- Vaccination: An intranasal modified-live vaccine is available in many regions. Veterinary advice should guide vaccine use, as Bordetella vaccination is considered non-core (not routinely recommended for all cats, but beneficial for those at higher risk, such as show cats or those residing in catteries or shelters).
- Reduce Overcrowding: Maintain proper cat-to-space ratios in shelters and catteries.
- Good Hygiene: Regular cleaning and disinfection of living areas and objects. Bordetella is susceptible to most standard disinfectants.
- Isolation of Infected Cats: Promptly isolate cats showing respiratory symptoms to prevent spread.
- Minimize Stress: Provide a calm environment to help lower the risk of illness due to suppressed immunity.
- Avoid Cross-Species Contact: Reduce contact between cats and dogs with respiratory disease.
Can Humans or Other Animals Get Bordetella from Cats?
Bordetella bronchiseptica is considered a rare zoonosis—it very rarely infects humans, typically only those who are immunocompromised. Dogs are, however, quite susceptible and can serve as a source of infection for cats, and vice versa. Rabbits and guinea pigs can also be infected by Bordetella.
Disinfection and Environmental Decontamination
Bordetella bronchiseptica is sensitive to most commonly used household and veterinary disinfectants. Focus on:
- Regular cleaning of all surfaces, bedding, and litter boxes
- Frequent washing of toys, feeding dishes, and carriers used by infected animals
- Ensuring proper drying between uses (moist environments favor bacterial survival)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How serious is Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in cats?
A: The infection is generally mild in healthy adult cats but can cause serious disease in kittens, immunocompromised cats, or those exposed to high levels of stress. Fatal cases are rare, but prompt veterinary care is always advised if severe symptoms develop.
Q: How long will my cat be contagious if infected?
A: Shedding can begin within a few days of exposure and may persist for weeks, even after clinical symptoms have resolved. Infected animals should be isolated for at least two weeks, longer if possible, to prevent transmission.
Q: Should my cat be vaccinated for Bordetella?
A: Vaccination is recommended for cats at higher risk—those living in shelters, catteries, or multi-cat households, or who will have contact with other susceptible animals. It is not a core vaccine and is typically unnecessary for indoor-only cats living in low-risk environments.
Q: Can cats recover without antibiotics?
A: While many mild cases may resolve, antibiotics are recommended to speed recovery and reduce bacterial shedding. Supportive care may be needed in more severe cases.
Q: Will my cat get infected from my dog?
A: Yes. Dogs with active Bordetella (kennel cough) infections can transmit the disease to cats through respiratory droplets or close contact.
Q: How can I help my cat at home?
- Follow your veterinarian’s medication instructions carefully
- Keep your cat isolated from healthy animals
- Maintain a calm, stress-free environment
- Provide soft, palatable food and ensure access to fresh water
- Use steam therapy (e.g., in the bathroom with a hot shower running) to relieve mild respiratory congestion
- Seek veterinary assistance immediately if your cat’s symptoms worsen or if new symptoms develop
Summary Table: Key Facts About Bordetella bronchiseptica in Cats
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Causative agent | Bordetella bronchiseptica (Gram-negative bacterium) |
| Transmission | Aerosol droplets, direct contact, contaminated surfaces |
| Main risk groups | Kittens, shelter/cattery cats, immunocompromised |
| Symptoms | Coughing, sneezing, nasal/ocular discharge, fever, loss of appetite, lethargy |
| Diagnosis | Oropharyngeal swab, culture or PCR; tracheal wash in severe cases |
| Treatment | Doxycycline or fluoroquinolone antibiotics; supportive/nursing care as needed |
| Vaccination status | Non-core (recommended in high-risk situations) |
| Prevention | Vaccination (for at-risk cats), good hygiene, managing population density, stress reduction |
| Zoonotic risk | Rarely zoonotic; humans rarely affected |
| Environmental stability | Can survive for days; killed by standard disinfectants |
References
This article is based on a synthesis of current veterinary guidelines and credible scientific literature, including recommendations from international feline health organizations, for educational purposes. If your cat shows signs of respiratory illness, seek advice from a qualified veterinarian promptly.
References
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19481041/
- https://www.ranchovet.com/site/blog/2022/11/30/bordetella-cats
- https://www.northbrookhavenvet.com/site/blog/2022/10/31/bordetella-cats–symptoms-treatment
- https://www.abcdcatsvets.org/guideline-for-bordetella-bronchiseptica-infection-in-cats/
- https://www.nwvetstanwood.com/site/blog/2024/01/15/bordetella-cats-causes-symptoms-treatment
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