Calicivirus

[janetd]

Has anyone heard of Calicivirus being more common in hybrid cats and Bengal cats? I have a small Bebgal cattery. Before breeding, I used to raise orphaned kittens, then either find them homes or give them to the local no-kill SPCA. I worked at a vet clinic and word soon spread that I raise orphaned kittens. Now, I am a vet tech. Then, about 2 1/2 years ago, I had gotten a pair of kittens that were really sick. I finally got them over it and found them new homes. I decided not to do this anymore, because I am putting my pets at risk. After that, I had my first litter of Bengals born. Two days prior, the Queen started sneezing for a couple days. When the kittens were about two weeks old, three of the four stopped eating and had trouble maintaining their temperature. I bottle fed them, kept them in an incubator, and did everything I could for them. However, they died. I kept the one that survived - her name is "Zada", which means "fornunate one". Almost a year ago, I sold one of my older kittens, "Kiana" from my second litter to a friend at a discount. This kitten had always had bouts of upper respiratory infections. Some of her vaccination boosters somethimes had to be held off a little longer until she got better. The other two in the litter seemed better. The one, "Bubba", I ended up keeping to show had never been sick. The other one, "Tucker", did start to have off and on illnesses when he got a little older. Then, suddenly one day last spring he stopped eating and drinking, and the next morning he was dead. Around that same time, two 9 month old kitten Bengal mix kittens I had from an accidental breeding when my female had gotten out, had the same thing happen to them. Anyway, recently "Kiana's" vet ran some tests to see why see was always getting sick and also because her face suddenly swelled up. He found the calicivirus in her nasal discharge. He said that Bengals and hybrid cats are susceptible to it. I did some research and found out that it can also affect the muscularskeletal system, which could explain why "Zada" will have occasionally unexplained lameness in her front leg joints. Now, I wonder if this is what I've been fighting all along. All my older cats have been fine, I'm assuming because they have had many years of vaccinations, and therefore better immunity. All the cats affected have been young Bengals. Is there a scientific connection here? Are they really more susceptible?

[cster]

I have 2 Bengal kittens, 9 mo old. Calicivirus is being suspected in both. When they were 5 mo. old, Jeza broke her hip, had FHO surgery, then was spayed within a 3 week period. She never bounced back to her little kitty self. Her sister, Savanna, is the picture perrrfect Bengal cat. Jeza's signs and symptoms were lethargy, depression, and arthritic/painful joints. After a round of azithromycin she was an active, normal kitty for one week, then the symptoms started over. She typically goes thru bouts of flaring, every 2-3 weeks. I've had Jeza evaluated by 5 vets. The last one found mild inflamed gums and ulcerations in her mouth. Savanna had come along for the ride so vet looked in her mouth also and found the same. Jeza has had dental xrays (neg), hip xrays (neg), ultrasound of abdomen(neg), test for Bartonella (neg), and the test for Calicivirus (pending). The breeder does not know of any of her cats or kittens that have had it.

They are on a very restrictive diet of lamb, duck, rabbit, or venison only. NOTHING ELSE! The theory, according to this vet, is their immune system has built up antibodies to the first antigens introduced in their diet (chicken, fish, beef), causing antibody formation in their gums, causing an inflammatory response. The arthritis comes from the antibody complexes being laid down in the joints, just like rheumatoid arthritis in a human. She doesn't think Savanna is affected as badly because she was not immunocompromised as Jeza was when she went thru 2 major surgeries(very stressfull) at a young age.

The test for calicivirus should be complete in another week. If it's not calicivirus, I guess I'll try a 6th vet for another opinion.

[Beanpole]

The only thing I've ever read is the Calicivirus is common in Siamese. Sorry for your loss...

[janetd]

I just found out that there is a new mutation of the Calicivirus. This is what some vets are vaccinating againest. It is called Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus (VS-FCV). I think this is what I have. It can be FATAL within 24-48 hours after exposure! Look it up to get more information. EVERYONE BEWARE!!!