So, you thought kennel cough was a dog disease, right? Think again, fish breath. Kennel cough, or bordetella bronchiseptica, does indeed infect our feline friends. And you probably guessed it, there is a new vaccine that protects against it. We'll discuss the disease and whether or not to vaccinate your cat.

Feline bordetella (FeBb) is caused by the organism bordetella bronchiseptica, a highly contagious bacteria. It is a very common problem in dogs and causes a tracheobronchitis that can progress to pneumonia. In dogs, it is easily treated with antibiotics, cough suppressants, humidifiers, and chest coupage (slapping them gently on the sides to loosen phlegm and other respiratory secretions).

FeBb acts similarly in cats and the clinical signs mimic feline calici virus, herpes virus, and possibly chlamydia. Most of these clinical signs are related to the upper respiratory system. FeBb usually causes a more pronounced cough than a sneeze. This cough may be one of its hallmarks. Other common symptoms of FeBb include the following: loss of appetite, listlessness, fever, runny eyes, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing. In other words, the kitties are pooped and snotty. We as clinicians (and you as owners, too) often wondered why a well-immunized kitty would develop upper respiratory illness. Now we are being told it was probably FeBb.

According to some estimates, up to 85% of cats living in multi-cat households have been exposed to FeBb, as shown by positive titers. This is not the same as isolating the bacteria from these cats. One study showed the bacteria isolated from only 3.1 percent of household cats. "Big deal," say others, claiming FeBb is a commensal organism (like the good bacteria present in your GI tract, it causes no harm). Researchers admit they are unsure if the experimental studies will have significance in the real cat world and suspect that conditions like overcrowding, stress, and poor ventilation play a role in the development of FeBb. The AVMA's on-line veterinary discussion group, called NOAH, reports that lecturers at the Western States Veterinary Conference estimate that only 1% of cats with upper respiratory problems had FeBb. So there is some controversy out there.

We treat FeBb the same way in cats as we do in dogs: antibiotics, cough suppressants, humidifiers, and so forth. Cats usually need some nutritional support as well, either in the form of intravenous/subcutaneous fluids or easily eaten and digested nutritional supplements. In this aspect, cats are a little daintier than dogs. You gotta keep them eating! Swabs from the oropharyngeal area (throat, tonsils) are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of FeBb.

Now on to the vaccine. The vaccine is an intranasal vaccine requiring a few drops (0.2 mls) to be instilled in the nose. It's pretty easy to do and no injections are needed. Reactions are reported in about 2% of the cats. Some of the veterinarians I have communicated with have seen reactions, which include sneezing, coughing, and fevers. Most of the cats getting vaccinated are from multi-cat households, catteries, shelters, or those who board a lot or go to cat shows. Our clinic cat did indeed come down with a confirmed case of FeBb years ago. I have to be honest and tell you that the on-line discussions among veterinarians are not very favorable at this time. It seems that if prevalence is only 1%, but reactions to vaccination are 2%, then the risk outweighs the benefit. However, some of our best scientific minds are saying that FeBb is indeed a problem worthy of concern, so definitely stay tuned!

I know I have seen a lot of well cared for and vaccinated kitties come down with upper respiratory symptoms that mimic FeBb. I have yet to have a cat fail to respond to treatment. Due to the cost of culture and sensitivity swabs, we rarely do them on a first time sneezing kitty unless response to treatment is very poor. The vaccine may very well have some indication for at-risk kitties (those in multi-cat households, catteries, shelters, cat shows, etc). As always, discuss this and other issues with your veterinarian.

-Dr. Katherine Dodds, primarily a feline practitioner, practices at Hammocks Veterinary Hospital in Kendall. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and is an affiliate of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. She can be reached at 305-388-0880.