In Practice 26: 320-323 (2004)
© 2004 British Veterinary Association

Clinical update on feline respiratory pathogens

¹ Liverpool

INFECTIOUS respiratory disease in cats is a significant clinical problem. It is most commonly seen where cats are grouped together and especially in young kittens. Two viruses - feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) - have been known for many years to be involved in the aetiology of feline respiratory disease while, more recently, other pathogens, such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, have also been found to be important. The role of other bacteria and mycoplasmas has not been fully established as yet. Chlamydophila felis is more frequently associated with predominantly conjunctival disease and, although upper respiratory tract signs may also occur, these are generally mild. This article describes some of the most important features of the three main respiratory pathogens, FHV, FCV and B bronchiseptica.