Feline Upper Respiratory Infection, URI, is also known as “cat cold.” Similar to a cold in humans, infected cats show signs of sneezing, coughing, and eye and nose discharge. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, offers several testing options to support practitioners in early-stage detection and management.
Cats living in shelters or in close proximity to other cats are most susceptible to becoming infected. Usually, signs of infection subside naturally after about 10 days. However, some cats — especially those with a developing or weakened immune system — may develop complications like secondary bacterial infections or pneumonia.
Here are three critical insights veterinarians need to know to stay a step ahead of feline upper respiratory infections:
- Co-infections are common
- Context matters
- Precision begins with proper sampling
Co-infections are common
Feline URI is a multifactorial disease. Unlike a disease with a single, identifiable cause, like a specific viral agent for an infection, complex diseases involve a combination of factors.
Infection of multiple pathogens is common when dealing with feline URI. Understanding which pathogens are present is critical for treatment planning. TVMDL offers a PCR panel specifically designed to detect pathogens commonly attributed to respiratory disease in cats. The panel targets the presence of bordetella bronchiseptica, feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, influenza A, Chlamydophila spp., and Mycoplasma spp.
Targeting these six common agents in a single test saves both time and money while increasing diagnostic accuracy and proactive treatment of feline URI.
Context matters
It’s important to remember that the feline respiratory disease panel does not confirm the infection itself. Rather, it indicates the presence of DNA and RNA from pathogens. Clinical context is key when interpreting results. Along with recognizing signs of infection, vaccination history, and epidemiological risk should also be considered.
A positive result for feline herpesvirus-1, FHV-1, in a cat with nasal and ocular discharge, may likely support a diagnosis. However, asymptomatic cats can also test positive, especially in high-risk environments like shelters or multi-cat households. These carriers might also test negative if they are not actively shedding.
To avoid misinterpretation, TVMDL recommends several other testing options such as bacterial cultures, cytology, fungal cultures, and serology. Additional tests provide a broader view of the diagnostic picture.
Precision begins with proper sampling
When submitting feline URI samples to TVMDL, there are a few key strategies to consider.
Swabs are the most common sample type for diagnosing upper respiratory infections, usually taken from the conjunctiva, nasal, or oropharyngeal regions.
TVMDL recommends submitting swabs in a few drops of saline or PBS to keep them from drying out and maintaining sample integrity. TVMDL discourages the use of gel to preserve samples intended for PCR testing as this practice can potentially introduce inhibitors and degrade DNA quality. Gels are best suited for preserving bacterial samples for cultures.
Confident clinical decisions with diagnostics
Feline URI is a common, contagious illness often involving multiple pathogens. An effective diagnostic process hinges on interpreting test results within clinical context and obtaining proper samples. TVMDL offers detailed testing reports with information that aids veterinarians in making informed decisions about the best treatment options.
For more information about the laboratory’s veterinary diagnostic services, visit the TVMDL website or call the College Station laboratory at 888-646-5623 or the Canyon laboratory at 888-646-5624.
