Calicivirus

[Lacey]

I posted that my adorable kitten has calicivirus--I thought that was another form of FIP. I have given all my pets all the vaccines. They go to the vet constantly. This disease FIP --I have never heard of until now. My vet and staff tell me that I am the most dedicated cat owner they know. Yet now I am dealing with this horrible illness. I have done everything for my cats. Money was never an issue . Do you know anything about this illness? I was told that there is no cure. The future looks very bleak. I was at a new vet because I went to one closer and she never told me to test for FIP I went back to my other vet even though he is farther away. I have been a very careful pet owner. It is ironic that now aftwr helping so many needy cats that I cannot help my pedigrees. I bought my kitten at a very clean, devoted breeder. Many years I have cared for strays and have given them homes. I have spent many housands of dollars helping cztd. I decided to buy pedigrees now. All my homelss adopted cats thrived. Now my Oriental Shorthair and my Siamese are very ill. Lacey

[Beanpole]

I had my vet administer the FIP vaccine (drops up the nose) years ago in KY. Then I found out it was a waste of time. Here in TX, they said it is so rare that it wasn't necessary. I'm sorry your cat is sick. The best way to find out any info. these days is the Internet. Good luck.

[Daveyo]

First please read on the left here --<<<<<<<< Calicivirus. It is quite informative and also tells you how to hopefully prevent spreading it further.

Secondly this disease will always be present even if the Cat is cured and it will always infect other cats that are not vaccinated.

It is treatable but cannot be eliminated.

Final analysis -> This disease is highly contagious and lingers for the life of a cat and this infected cat even if symptoms are gone and it appears to be healthy, it will infect and infect so many other cats that are not vaccinated. The infected cats even when all symptoms are gone, can and will be a carrier and to me they are known as the ""Grim Reaper"" to other cats especially those not vaccinated.

Sorry, but the decision is up to you. I am not going to say what you should do.

[Beanpole]

God, that's pretty gloomy. My options are with this stray cat are never to let her outside and vaccinate promptly, any other cat I take in -- which I do. Unfortunately, 2 ferals I trapped, vaccinated and spayed, will not let me put them in carriers to get their boosters. They are mostly outdoor and come inside at night. I wonder how many cats out there are carriers and we do not even know -- even cats we've had for years.

[Daveyo]

The problem is you can ONLY VACCINATE IF THE ANIMAL IS HEALTHY and not sick with something. Otherwise the vaccine will not work and has no effect.

Another problem you have is there are several other strains of Calicivirus and that compounds everything into one holy mess. Even if you (vaccinate the other cats before entering your premises) they too can catch this disease. Why, because it takes 14-21 days before the vaccines get a hold in the system. Also you need to give boosters before they are protected enough against the main virus itself. Even Bean here will tell you this too.

So what are you doing??????

Now you got ferals in the picture.

What else??? What objective are you trying to do regarding animals. To be their saviour or what>????

[Beanpole]

Daveyo-I am Bean - I am who you responded to.

I took this cat in after she had kittens in my neighborhood and they all died from exposure and the fact they she could not, at the time, clean them up and take care of them. She did not appear to be sickly. Not until after 2 surgeries did my vet tell me she was ill. She has made great strides since the middle of June: she is coming out from under the bed more frequently, I can pet and groom her, she started grooming herself 3 weeks ago. Her eyes are clear. None of my other cats have developed any problems in the 5 months she's lived in my house. She does not have that new strain of calicivirus -- tests showed that. The 2 ferals I mentioned -- I trapped 4 years ago from a feral colony my mother-in-law started. Another cat was taken as a kitten and tamed and is related to the above mentioned. They are healthy.

What do you suggest I do -- euthanize this 'grim reaper?'

[Daveyo]

Goodness, I thought I was responding to Lacey post. When I saw ferals entering the picture it blew my mind.

Did not check to see who posted it. It now turns out it was you.

Geeeeeeezzzzzzzzz

I don't know my friend. All I know is the darn virus lingers for the life of the CAT even after symptoms are gone. Relapses are common in these cases.

And other unvaccinated cats catch the disease. It continues to spread around.

I have not come across any official cure that stops it completely.

This is one of the diseases that always is causing many problems.

So, what to do, cannot stop it, no cure, whats next????? Just keep treating it as needed, and keep that cat quarantined and away from unvaccinated cats.

Its about the best (I think) you can do for now, until some genius comes up with a cure.

[Beanpole]

I find that as long as I keep Mei Ling in a quiet, unstressful surrounding, she thrives. Like the Herpes virus, it does flare up, just like in humans. I do think, also, giving her the vaccination made her condition worse for a time. Lucky for me, my ferals don't want anything to do with her (go figure?). So they must know she is 'not right.' Thank you for your input.

[Daveyo]

No problem Bean. Like I said if you try to vaccinate it will do no good because the cat is perpetually sick. I would expect that the vaccine will react negatively if given to the sick animal which is almost always the case and that vaccine loses its intended purpose pretty quickly.

So, how to undo a perpetually sick animal??????? If no outright cure exists. Only answer I can come up with is get the virus stopped and eradicated from the cat. Then you can vaccinate and do the boost and then your cat will be protected.

You know, I wonder about a certain Vaccine that is used for other purposes. Hmmmmm I will talk to someone to see if we can get some infected cats with cali and try and do a test. If it works it will be another discovery.

We must be in the AGE OF AQUARIUS or something. Lately discoveries are being made the last few months.

I'll let you know.

[Lacey]

I appreciate all your interest in my cats. I have researched intensely and talked with scientists and top vets and sadlly there is no cure or vaccine that stops FIP. A scientist in Austrailia is working on a promising vaccine. The vaccine used right now is not really safe so it can be a risk to give it to your cat. I am looking for an alternative treatment, using herbs or vitamins , etc. Someone told me to use Omegas 3,6, ,9 which may boost the immune system. I hear Silver, liquid, I will get the name later helps the immune system. Must go, I do volunteer work and I will be late. I have not used any alternative things yet. Still looking. Has anyone heard of anything? So far, my 2 cats are holding on. The youngest has a slight cold again. I am treating whatever illness this brings but I hate to use so many meds but if I do not the illness progresses. My Siamese is doing much better. The Oriental ShortHair is young so he gets sick more often. I am keeping positive and will enjoy every moment we have with our boys. Live life to the full with whatever time one has. We have indulged their life with many fun things and will give them the most thrills in whatever time they have. Being negative only takes away the joy that we can have now. So, I was iniatially upset, every loving pet owner is at first, but now I am in the battle to fight this illness or if I lose the fight at least I want to give my cats the best life right now. Thanks so much for your replies. Do you know of anything other than meds. that I can give my cats. I do not care about the cost. Lacey