[Beanpole]

We trapped a feral cat in June after she had a litter of kittens in my neighbor's bushes and they all died. We took her to the vet to be spayed and vaccinated. Several weeks later (after we were able to hold her), we noticed the condition of her teeth and gums were bad. After a dental and several teeth extractions and a few tests, our veternarian told us she was suffering from calicivirus, severe gingivitis and peridontal disease and stomatitis and had herpes lesions in her mouth. My vet said there was nothing we could do for her as the virus is resistant to antibiotics and steroids would compromise her system. I administer an oral mouth antiobiotic now but it is difficult because she is very timid and won't always interact with me. After a few weeks recovering from the spaying and living in a large dog crate, she now lives under my bed. She shows no signs of wanting to go outside and sleeps all day. She has a reddish brown discharge from her eyes that comes and goes. Unfortunately, she has already been exposed to my other 5 cats. I have contacted a rescue group but they are hesitant to take on another hardship case. My veternarian told me that this virus is nasty and dangerous. I would like more information on it other than what I have read on the internet and medical books. The cat does not seem to be in an distress and is content where she is. But I still worry about my other cats, as they shun her. I have 2 former ferals that won't even come inside anymore at night. And I can't see her living under my bed forever. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

[heelsdown]

please read my story under the share your story listing. My cats name is Rose and it is listed under heelsdown.

[Daveyo]

Take it for a second opinion. Getting outside animals is not a good idea.

[felinexpress]

i am getting a crash course in calicivirus after rescuing two ferals who came here one with calicivirus one with feline herpesvirus. i got two epidemics for the price of one. at first the sick ones hid from me but after sitting on the floor and reading to them daily they have ventured out to become part of the group. my other cats openly now accept them and i have everyone on L-Lysine. i did have the newcomers on zithromax which helped tremendously.

have patience and when you interact with your cat do so from his level (the floor) don't force him out of hiding, but don't allow him to continue to hide by putting food, water and litter pans under his bed. put them just outside the bed so he has to come out. be sure he has places in the room where he can ide and get off the floor (where they feel most threatened.

good luck

[Beanpole]

I agree, it takes a lot of patience and you cannot rush things. How did you give the cats the Lysine? I find that it is very hard to pill even my tame cats. If I crush the medicine up in the food they will not eat it. If I can manage to get a pill down the throat with a pill popper, it is spit up, most times. (I usually have to try several times.) I even got the little treats with the pocket in them to put the pill but they won't eat them.

[felinexpress]

I use baby food lamb flavored just mix the crushed tablet in. the smell is strong for the cats and most eat it without problems. i feed individually (somewhat of a challenge). also be careful when you feed L-lysine. some of the pills have propylene glycol listed as an ingredient. not a good thing. make sure your bottle doesn't list this.