Feline Respiratory Disease Complex

Most acute feline upper respiratory infections are caused by FVR virus, although FCV may be more prevalent in some populations. Dual infections with these viruses may occur. Other organisms such as C felis, Mycoplasma spp, and reoviruses are believed to account for most of the remaining infections or further complicate FVR or FCV infection. Concurrent Bartonella henselae also may further complicate infection.

Natural transmission of these agents occurs via aerosol droplets and fomites, which can be carried to a susceptible cat by a handler. Convalescent cats may harbor virus for many months. Calicivirus is shed continually, while infectious FVR virus is released intermittently. Stress may precipitate a secondary course of illness. The incubation period is 2–6 days for FVR and FCV, and 5–10 days for pneumonitis.

The onset of FVR is marked by fever, frequent sneezing, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and often salivation. Excitement or movement may induce sneezing. The fever may reach 105°F (40.5°C) but subsides and tends to fluctuate from normal to 103°F (39°C). Initially, a serous nasal and ocular discharge occurs; it soon becomes mucopurulent and copious, at which time depression and anorexia are evident. Severely debilitated cats may develop ulcerative stomatitis, and ulcerative keratitis develops in some. Signs may persist for 5–10 days in milder cases and as long as 6 wk in severe cases. Generally, the mortality is low and prognosis good except for young kittens and aged cats. The illness often is prolonged, and weight loss may be marked. FVR often is complicated by secondary bacterial infections; abortions and generalized infections also have been associated with disease.

There are many serologically related strains of feline caliciviruses. They appear to have a predilection for the epithelium of the oral cavity and the deep tissues of the lungs. Some caliciviruses are nonpathogenic. Some induce little more than salivation and ulceration of the tongue, hard palate, or nostrils; others produce pulmonary edema and interstitial pneumonia. Clinically, it is often impossible to differentiate FVR from FCV infection. Two strains may produce a transient “limping syndrome” without signs of oral ulceration or pneumonia. These strains produce a transient fever, alternating leg lameness, and pain on palpation of affected joints. Signs occur most often in 8- to 12-wk-old kittens and usually resolve without treatment. The syndrome may occur in kittens vaccinated against FCV; no vaccine protects against both of the strains that produce the “limping syndrome.”

Calicivirus has also been found in cats with lymphocytic-plasmacytic gingivitis and stomatitis (see Feline Stomatitis). The superficial lesions heal rapidly, and appetite returns 2–3 days after onset. The clinical course usually is 7–10 days. An acute febrile response, inappetence, and depression are common signs. Serous rhinitis and conjunctivitis also can occur.

C felis infections characteristically produce conjunctivitis (see Chlamydial Conjunctivitis); infected cats sneeze occasionally. Fever may develop as the disease progresses beyond serous lacrimal discharge to mucopurulent conjunctivitis, lymphoid infiltration, and epithelial hyperplasia. Convalescent cats may undergo relapses.

Mycoplasma spp may infect the eyes and upper respiratory passages, characteristically producing severe edema of the conjunctiva and a less severe rhinitis.

The occurrence of severe viral upper respiratory disease is rare in adult, properly vaccinated cats. These cats should be tested for other upper respiratory diseases and, less commonly, concurrent immunodeficiency diseases, including feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus.

The presumptive diagnosis is based on such typical signs as sneezing, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, lacrimation, salivation, oral ulcers, and dyspnea. FVR tends to affect the conjunctivae and nasal passages, caliciviruses the oral mucosa and lower respiratory tract. Chlamydial infections result in chronic, low-grade conjunctivitis. These characteristics may be obscured in mixed infections. Cytologic examination of Giemsa-stained conjunctival scrapings is of value for the identification of chlamydiae and mycoplasmas. A definitive diagnosis is based on isolation and identification of the agent. The oropharyngeal mucosa, external nares, and conjunctival sacs are the preferred sampling sites. However, diagnosis of FVR may be difficult, because virus is shed intermittently and because seroprevalence and virus isolation rates are similar in ill and clinically normal cats. Samples of ocular, nasal, or caudal pharyngeal secretions for PCR may help establish a diagnosis and causative agent.

Treatment is largely symptomatic and supportive, but broad-spectrum antibiotics are useful against secondary bacterial invaders (eg, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, cephalosporins, trimethoprim-sulfa, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol) as well as directly against C felis and M felis. Tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones are the most effective against C felis and M felis. Nasal and ocular discharges should be removed frequently for the comfort of the cat. Nebulization or saline nose drops may aid in the removal of tenacious secretions. Nose drops containing a vasoconstrictor (eg, two drops of ephedrine sulfate [0.25% solution] in each nostril, bid) and antibiotics may help reduce the amount of nasal exudate. Prolonged use of nasal decongestants, however, may result in rebound nasal congestion and worsening of clinical signs. A bland ophthalmic ointment containing antibiotics (tetracyclines in C felis infections) is indicated 5–6 times daily to prevent corneal irritation produced by dried exudate. If corneal ulcers develop in FVR infections (herpetic keratitis), ophthalmic preparations containing idoxuridine or acyclovir are indicated in addition to other antibiotic ophthalmic preparations. Lysine (250 mg, PO, bid-tid) interferes with herpetic viral replication and may reduce the severity of FVR infection. If dyspnea is severe, the cat can be placed in an oxygen tent. Fluids may be indicated to correct dehydration, and force-feeding may be necessary. Esophagostomy and gavage may be appropriate for alimentation in severely debilitated cats. Antihistamines (eg, chlorpheniramine maleate, PO, bid [8 mg for adults, 4 mg for kittens]) may be beneficial early in the course of the disease.

Two types of modified-live virus FVR-FCV vaccines are available. The first type is intended for parenteral administration; cats >9 wk old should be vaccinated twice, with a 3-wk interval. Kittens should be vaccinated at intervals of 3–4 wk until they are ≥12 wk old. In adult cats, revaccination with a single dose every 1–3 yr is indicated.

The second type of vaccine is administered to healthy cats by instillation into the conjunctival cul de sacs and nasal passages. Owners should be advised that cats inoculated oronasally may sneeze frequently for 4–7 days after vaccination. Kittens vaccinated when <12 wk old should be revaccinated when reaching this age. Annual revaccination with a single dose is recommended.

Modified-live virus FVR-FCV vaccines intended for parenteral administration are available in combination with either chemically inactivated or modified-live virus feline panleukopenia vaccines. A parenterally administered vaccine composed entirely of inactivated viruses also is available.

Vaccines containing either chick-embryo- or cell-line-origin C felis are administered parenterally. A single dose is recommended for cats >12 wk old; younger kittens should be revaccinated when they reach 16 wk. All should be revaccinated annually. These vaccines are indicated in catteries or on premises where C felis infection has been confirmed. The chlamydial vaccines are available in combination with FVR-FCV and panleukopenia vaccines. Systematic vaccination and control of environmental factors (such as exposure to sick cats, overcrowding, and stress) provide good protection against upper respiratory disease.