An outbreak of Clostridium perfringens enteritis in a cattery of Bengal cats and experimental transmission to specific pathogen free cats

An outbreak of enteritis with diarrhea, fever, and lethargy was observed in a purebred Bengal cattery. Three kittens developed diarrhea shortly after being introduced to this cattery. All cats were found to be shedding feline coronavirus (FCoV) in their feces (as determined by polymerase chain reaction), but cats with signs of enteritis also shed Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin. As part of an ongoing experiment involving feline coronaviral pathogenesis, four specific pathogen free cats were inoculated with crude fecal extract from this cattery. All four cats developed fever, malaise, and diarrhea. The donor cat was subsequently shown to be positive for both the FCoV and C. perfringens enterotoxin. Clinical signs in all cats were not responsive to metronidazole, despite favorable in vitro indications, but symptoms did resolve with either clindamycin or amoxycillin/clavulanate therapy. Two cats remained chronic shedders of C. perfringens spores and enterotoxin even after antibiotic therapy.