Feline Coronavirus as a Cause of Upper Respiratory Infection in shelter Cats

Principal Investigator: Gary Whittaker

Co-PI: Elizabeth Berliner

Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Sponsor: Cornell Feline Health Center Program
Title: Feline Coronavirus as a Cause of Upper Respiratory Infection in shelter Cats
Project Amount: $32,549
Project Period: July 2018 to June 2019

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 

Feline upper respiratory infection (URI) is a common cause of disease in shelters, and one of the most important diseases faced by shelter veterinarians. Animals with URIs experience a longer stay within a facility, decreased adoption, and can cause the spread of disease among the population, as well as suffer from increased mortality. URIs are encompassed by Feline Respiratory Disease Complex (FRDC), which refers to the presentation of respiratory or ocular disease caused by several pathogens including feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Chlamydophila felis (C. felis), Mycoplasma sp. and Bordetella bronchiseptica. More recently, feline coronavirus (FCoV) has also come under consideration as part of FRDC and upper respiratory tract infection.