Improvement of the scheme of preventive and treatment measures for associated respiratory infections in cats

Abstract

The aim of the research was to study the etiological structure of associated infectious rhinotracheitis in cats. It has been established that infectious rhinotracheitis is registered among cats in association with infectious diseases of bacterial aetiology. Materials and methods. The research was conducted based on a private veterinary clinic in the city of Kharkiv in 2021–2023. A total of 48 cats with signs of respiratory tract damage were examined in the clinic. Samples for laboratory diagnosis were obtained by oropharyngeal swab and transnasal lavage. To confirm the laboratory diagnosis of infectious rhinotracheitis in cats, we used the PCR method (using the Rynovir test system), as well as rapid IXA tests (FHV Ag) manufactured by ASAN PHARM (China) or ZRbio (China). To detect specific antibodies, the method of serological (retrospective) ELISA diagnostics was used using the immunoComb Feline VacciCheck device-free ELISA test system manufactured by Biogal, Israel. Bacteriological studies were carried out according to well-known methods using special nutrient media for the selection and identification of associated bacterial microflora. The sensitivity of selected dominant cultures of bacteria to antibiotics was determined by diffusion in agar using discs containing antibiotics. Results. It was investigated that Bordetella bronchiseptica was determined as the dominant pathogen in the bacterial association – 52.0 %. Isolated cultures of Bordetella bronchiseptica were sensitive to cefamycin. The proposed science-based scheme for the treatment of infectious rhinotracheitis in association with feline bordetelliosis ensures high therapeutic efficiency. Conclusions. For the treatment of infectious respiratory diseases in cats, it is necessary to carry out individual complex etiotropic, pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy. Homoeopathic therapy relieves the symptoms of the disease, promotes faster recovery, and is an addition to the main methods of treatment. The main specific measure of disease prevention is timely vaccination (inoculation), the effectiveness of which, according to our research, ranges from 71 % to 100 %.