Canine and Feline Infectious Respiratory Disease

Question 1

canine infectious respiratory disease complex

Answer 1

common, multiple pathogen co-infections resulting in respiratory disease in dogs

high morbidity
low mortality

Question 2

CIRDC incubation period

Answer 2

2-10 days

Question 3

how long does CIRDC last

Answer 3

1-3 weeks

Question 4

signalment for CIRDC

Answer 4

any age susceptible

most common in young puppies and indoor, co-housed animals (ex. shelters)

Question 5

clinical signs of CIRDC

Answer 5

widely variable (mild to severe)

uncomplicated vs complicated

Question 6

uncomplicated CIRDC

Answer 6

harsh/honking cough
tracheal sensitivity
conjunctivitis
serous ocular discharge
serous nasal discharge
fever

clinical but not severe

Question 7

complicated CIRDC

Answer 7

lethargy
fever
tachypnea
productive cough
severe bronchopneumonia
mucopurulent nasal and ocular discharge

Question 8

what are the most common pathogens (bacterial and viral) involved in CIRDC

Answer 8

bacterial: bordetella bronchiseptica

viral: canine parainfluenza virus

Question 9

transmission and shedding of CIRDC

Answer 9

aerosol (inhaled)

length of shedding depends on pathogen
- viruses: up to 3 weeks
- bord & mycoplasma: 3-4 months

Question 10

can subclinical dogs have co infection of pathogens involved in CIRDC

Answer 10

yes

Question 11

how to diagnose CIRDC

Answer 11

history
clinical signs
PE
+/- culture or PCR

do NOT always need to identify etiology/pathogen

Question 12

when is it indicated to diagnose specific pathogen involved in CIRDC

Answer 12

• severe/rapidly progressive clinical signs
• clinical signs lasting >7-10 days
• outbreak settings

Question 13

what sample do you use for culture

Answer 13

lower airways (bronchoalveolar lavage - BAL)

upper airways are NOT informative due to higher pathogens present

Question 14

what sample do you use for PCR for CIRDC diagnosis

Answer 14

nasal and oropharyngeal cavities or lower respiratory tract

Question 15

prevention and control of CIRDC

Answer 15

• vaccines
• isolation
• monitoring
• disinfection
• PPE

Question 16

are vaccines for CIRDC pathogens 100% protective

Answer 16

no - only reduce clinical signs and shedding

Question 17

treatment for CIRDC

Answer 17

supportive care
- should resolve in 1 week

if >1 week: use antimicrobials

Question 18

what antimicrobials should be used for complicated CIRDC lasting >1 week

Answer 18

empiric: doxycycline

if secondary bacterial infection: Fluoroquinolones + penicillin/clindamycin

Question 19

feline infectious upper respiratory tract disease

Answer 19

contagious respiratory +/- ocular disease caused by infection of one or more pathogens

tends to be ACUTE but chronic disease is possible

Question 20

incubation period of FURTD

Answer 20

2-6 days

Question 21

how long does FURTD last

Answer 21

1-3 weeks

Question 22

signalment for FURTD

Answer 22

severe signs most common in:
- very young
- elderly
- immunosuppressed

most common in group housed cats

Question 23

clinical signs of FURTD

Answer 23

widely variable (mild self limiting to severe life threatening)
- sneezing
- coughing
- conjunctivitis w/ ocular discharge
- oral ulceration
- decreased appetite
- nasal discharge (serous, mucoid, or mucopurulent)
- fever

Question 24

what are the most common pathogens involved in FURTD

Answer 24

feline herpesvirus-1
feline calicivirus

Question 25

transmission of FURTD

Answer 25

1. direct, close contact (inhaled)
2. fomites
3. carrier cats (chronic subclinically infected)

Question 26

diagnosing FURTD

Answer 26

clinical signs
history
clinical presentation - acute onset of upper respiratory signs +/- conjunctivitis

do NOT need to identify etiology/pathogen in most cats

Question 27

when is identification of specific pathogen indicated

Answer 27

• outbreak
• group housed settings
• cats that are not responding to supportive care
• severely affected cats

Question 28

what sample do you use for PCR

Answer 28

conjunctival swab
nasal swab
oropharyngeal swab

note: ALL previously infected cats will test positive for herpes for life without causing disease

Question 29

are cultures often performed to ID pathogen involved in FURTD

Answer 29

no because many commensal species will grow

Question 30

treatment for FURTD

Answer 30

supportive care
- pain meds for oral ulcers
- hydration and nutritional support (feeding tube placement if indicated)

Question 31

when is antibiotic use indicated for FURTD

Answer 31

secondary bacterial infections
- most FURTD is caused by viruses but can predispose to secondary infection

Question 32

are antimicrobials indicated in a well cat with serous nasal discharge

Answer 32

no, supportive care only

Question 33

are antimicrobials indicated in a well cat with mucopurulent nasal discharge

Answer 33

no, monitor without antimicrobials and only treat if not improved after 10 days or worsened after 5-7 days

Question 34

are antimicrobials indicated in a sick cat with mucopurulent nasal discharge

Answer 34

yes, doxycycline for 7-10 days

Question 35

when are antivirals indicated for FURTD

Answer 35

severe or persistent FHV-1 signs

use famcyclovir

Question 36

what is the next step if FURTD has not resolved after 10 days

Answer 36

explore more extensive nasal workup

Question 37

FURTD prevention

Answer 37

proper management and vaccinations (certain pathogens only)

Question 38

what are the core vaccines against FURTD pathogens

Answer 38

FHV and FCV