Experimental infection of SPF cats induced mild clinical signs consisting of pyrexia, coughing, sneezing, ocular discharge and lymphadenopathy [Jacobs et al 1993, Coutts et al 1996]. Signs resolved after about 10 days.
In the field, a wide range of respiratory signs have been associated with Bb infection of cats, ranging from the mild clinical signs described above, to severe respiratory signs caused by pneumonia including dyspnoea, cyanosis and death, [Willougby et al 1991, Welsh 1996, Speakman et al 1999]. Cases of pneumonia are usually seen in young kittens less than 10-weeks-old but older cats can be affected as well. Bb infection should be considered in coughing cats (acute and chronic).