[artiecatsmom]

Yesterday, I woke to find my cat drooling, vomitting, and panting in a corner. After 2 trips the the emergency vet clinic they found the ulcers in his mouth which were now infected causing his temp to spike to 105!!! They had determined that it is most likely the calicivirus! I love my cat to pieces and would stop at NOTHING to make sure he gets better and STAYS better! They sent me home with anytibiotics and pain meds for him but, I want to know what to do after this outbreak is over!!?? Should/can I get him the vaccine even though he is already infected? Is there anything I can do to keep this from happening again?

Thank you all in advance!!!

[Beanpole]

Hi, so sorry about your kitty. I'm not a vet or anything but have years of experience with my cats (but still continue to learn). I have a calicivirus positive cat and I feel for her as there is nothing to cure it, but I find that if I keep her in a stress-free environment she does OK. She's never had any of those symptoms your cat did. Mine does have chronic stomatitis and I Googled info. about it. Stomatitis is supposed to be the worse pain a cat can have, though my cat can eat, drink and groom herself. We've tried antibiotics, etc. but they don't help. My vet said next year we need to pull out all her teeth. I find the Internet very useful. I read that glutamine can shorted duration. Chamomile mouthwash to soothe. Cottage cheese, buttermilk and yogurt. B12. B vitamins. Folic acid and iron. CET toothpaste. Hills T/D. I'm going to ask my vet about all of the above. Do not get your cat vaccinated for calicivirus. My cat had the vaccination (before I knew she was positive) and it made her symptoms worse. Good luck.

[amymwalters]

There is no antivirus for this virus yet. Your cat seem like he is over it but it will carry it on for years and give it to other cats. If your kitty is still showing signs of the virus such as runny. One thing I have read is try to keep your kitten in a humid warm area because it helps break up the mucous. I would give it more attention if you have the time. If you have to get the teeth pulled you could try using soft food. My kitten just develped this virus and he sent me with some Hills Prescription Diet Canine A/D soft food and I mix that with water. She seems to respond quite well to this along with milk. He insisted I try to get milk in her as well. I have been keeping her in a crate in my basement because I have 5 other cats in the house and I don't want them catching it. I hate to leave her down there but it's better than taking care of 3 cats and 2 more kittens and I'm down there a lot with her. I think she developed this virus from a stray cat outside. I won't let any of my cats go outside anymore because of this and my previous cat dieing from eating a plant that caused liver failure. It's sad to see your cat suffer like this. If my kitten doesn't get better and gets worse than I would more likely get it put down than have it suffer with this virus for most of it's life. It's hard decision to make but it's all in the individuality of the cat, to know what's best for him. Good luck with your kitty. I hope he gets better. :)

[Beanpole]

I have other cats too -- with my calici cat and after 14 months of living together -- they do not have the disease. I do not keep them separate. Luck maybe? 2 are vaccinated against it -- 2 are ferals and only had the shot once.

[Daveyo]

Hi Beanpole

If you want me to check to see if there is a chance for a cure on Calicivirus, just holler otherwise I won't take a peek at it.

let me know

Daveyo

[artiecatsmom]

I am happy to report that my Artie-Cat has recovered and is feeling much better. After getting more pain meds to keep him comfortable and finishing up his antibiotics...all of the ulcers have healed!! Thank GOD!! My fear now is the chance for reoccurance! Im getting mixed signals about the the vaccine! SO I will hold off for now! However, I must say that once he recovered...I noticed a huge change in him! It is almost like he was sick for months....I havent seen him so active in a long time!! It almost makes me feel worse that it could have been going on for so long and the only reason I noticed it was the infection!! Bad kitty mommy! Thanks guys for ALL of your input! Good luck with your meows!!

[Beanpole]

Sure, Daveyo, check and see what the latest is on the virus and curing it. My cat seems in good health now other than the stomatitis and goopy eyes. Hopefully, the teeth extractions will help but that is SO painful just thinking about it.