A strain of this species was originally isolated from the respiratory tract of a cat with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, though it was also found in healthy cats.
The sanctuary had been treating a large number of racoons and skunks with canine distemper, which crossed over to the big cats. 18 big cats died in this epidemic.
M concentrations of the drug; 1 mg of candicine iodide given i.v. to cats produced the same rise in blood pressure as 0.5 mg nicotine; toxic doses produced respiratory paralysis.
