Common Bacterial Diseases in Cats

Pasteurella multocida

Gram-negative coccobacillus

Causes abscesses (esp. after bites) and respiratory infections

Zoonotic

Bartonella henselae

Gram-negative bacillus intracellular

Causes cat scratch disease and fever/lymphadenopathy

Flea borne

Zoonotic

Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA)

Gram-positive cocci in clusters

Causes skin, wound, ear, and urinary infections

Zoonotic

Staphylococcus felis / pseudintermedius

Gram-positive cocci

Causes pyoderma, abscesses, UTIs

Escherichia coli

Gram-negative rod

Causes urinary tract infections, septicemia, and diarrhoea

Zoonotic

Salmonella spp.

Gram-negative rod intracellular

Causes gastroenteritis and septicemia

Zoonotic

Chlamydia felis

Gram-negative pleomorphic intracellular

Causes conjunctivitis and respiratory disease; Rare

Zoonosis

Mycoplasma haemofelis

Pleomorphic

Causes feline infectious anaemia

Mycobacterium spp. (e.g., M. bovis, M. avium)

Acid-fast bacilli

Causes granulomatous skin and respiratory disease

Zoonotic

Bordetella bronchiseptica

Gram-negative coccobacillus

Causes tracheobronchitis and pneumonia

Clostridium perfringens / difficile

Gram-positive rods (spore-forming)

Causes diarrhoea and enteritis

Zoonotic

Enterococcus spp

Gram positive cocci in pairs or short chains

Causes UTIs, wound infections, abscesses, otitis externa, bacteraemia, endocarditis