Feline Bordetellosis (Bordetella bronchiseptica infection)

Overview

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that can contribute to upper respiratory disease in cats, particularly in crowded environments like shelters and catteries. It's more widely known as a cause of 'kennel cough' in dogs, and cats can both catch it from and potentially transmit it to dogs in shared environments, though cat-to-cat transmission is the more typical route for feline cases.

Symptoms

• Sneezing (mild, common)
• Coughing (mild, common)
• Nasal discharge (mild, common)
• Fever (more significant cases) (moderate, uncommon)

Causes

Infection with the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Risk Factors

Cats in shelters, catteries, or other crowded/multi-animal environments; young kittens and cats with concurrent viral upper respiratory infection are more likely to develop more significant illness.

Transmission

Respiratory droplets and direct contact; can spread between cats and dogs sharing an environment, since the bacterium isn't strictly species-specific. Spread through respiratory droplets and direct contact, Bordetella bronchiseptica is genuinely more of a concern in crowded, high-density cat populations (shelters, catteries, multi-cat households) than in typical single-cat homes, and notably, the same organism can be transmitted between cats and dogs sharing an environment, unlike some other feline-specific respiratory pathogens.

Incubation Period

Typically a few days to about a week.

Disease Stages & Progression

Often mild and self-limiting, particularly in adult cats without other complicating factors; can contribute to more significant respiratory illness in kittens or in combination with viral upper respiratory infection (see that disease page).

Early Warning Signs

Sneezing, mild nasal discharge, occasional coughing. A cough is a genuinely more prominent feature of Bordetella compared to other common feline upper respiratory infections, which more typically present with sneezing and discharge as the dominant signs — this coughing pattern, especially in a multi-cat or shelter environment, is a reasonable clue pointing toward Bordetella specifically.

Advanced Symptoms

In more significant cases, particularly young kittens: fever, lethargy, more pronounced coughing, and potentially pneumonia in severe cases.

Diagnostic Methods

Often a clinical diagnosis based on signs and context (e.g., a shelter outbreak); PCR or bacterial culture from a nasal/oropharyngeal swab can confirm the specific organism when needed.

Veterinary Examination Process

Assessment of respiratory signs, chest sounds, and overall condition.

Recommended Lab Tests

PCR or culture testing in select cases needing specific confirmation.

Diagnostic Imaging

Chest X-rays if pneumonia is suspected in a significantly affected cat.

Blood Test Indicators

Not typically diagnostic on their own.

Biopsy / Histopathology

Not applicable.

Differential Diagnoses

Other causes of upper respiratory signs, particularly FHV-1/FCV — testing can distinguish these when it matters for treatment or outbreak management.

Home Monitoring Guidance

Watching for progression of respiratory signs and ensuring continued eating/drinking.

Veterinary Treatment Options

Many cases are mild and self-limiting, resolving with supportive care alone; antibiotics (commonly doxycycline) are used for more significant cases or in high-risk settings like shelters to help control spread. Most healthy adult cats experience a mild, self-limiting illness not requiring specific treatment beyond supportive care; antibiotics are reserved for more severe cases, very young kittens, or cats with additional risk factors, since Bordetella's mild presentation in most cats doesn't generally warrant antibiotic treatment as a matter of course.

Surgery Requirements

Not applicable.

Recovery Timeline

Typically 1-2 weeks with or without antibiotic treatment for straightforward cases.

Possible Complications

Pneumonia in more severe cases, particularly in young kittens or when combined with viral upper respiratory infection.

Long-Term Management

Not typically needed once resolved.

Prevention

A vaccine exists and may be used in high-risk environments (shelters, catteries) though it's not part of the standard core vaccine set for most pet cats; good hygiene and reduced crowding in multi-cat environments reduce transmission.

Vaccination Availability

An intranasal Bordetella vaccine is available and sometimes used in high-risk/shelter settings; not a routinely recommended core vaccine for typical pet cats — discuss with your vet if your cat's living situation (e.g., frequent boarding, multi-cat households) might make it relevant.

Prognosis

Good for most cases, particularly in adult cats without complications.

References

American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).

Medications Used

• Antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline) for more significant cases
• Supportive care as needed

Estimated Treatment Cost by Country

Frequently Asked Questions