Feline Herpesvirus

[crazycat919]

We recently purchased two kittens from a breeder. We were lead to believe the females eye squinting was from a scratch she may have gotten during play time. Upon our wellness visit to the vets we were informed it was more than that. Both kittens had red conjunctive, green drainage and sneezing. We were informed they had herpes. It's been a 3 week battle of swelled eyes, discharge and lots of sneezing. We now have a combination of eye meds that have to be given around the clock daily as well as L-Lysine that seems to be doing the trick. Our vet said they will always have issues since they come from a vaccine free cattery so they have no immune system to fight any of this and they infected our existing cat who was up to date on all vaccinations. So we now have 3 infected cats. Our vet said that anyone who comes in our home with pets must be kept away from them or anything they have come in contact with. Well that is the entire house. :( We clean and clean but they sneeze all the time so we are always back to square one with that. We are pretty upset this is what we got for the money we paid. We love them and they are well adjusted here so we are not giving them away. We are really hoping the L-Lysine will kick in and help them. If not we may be looking at doing a round of Zithromax since the Clavamox did nothing. They eat, drink, and play very hard and they have no lung issues at all. Just the runny red eyes and sneezing all the time.

We are constantly washing our hands and changing our clothes but as soon as one of them gets near us and sneezes we are doing the routine all over again. So we have two new babies that none of our pet owning friends can come and see nor can we travel since we take our pets.

[bill353]

Here’s my story.

I foster cats and kittens through an animal rescue organization. The last kitten I brought home was so sick; everyone thought she was going to die. She was nursed back to health, under the supervision of a vet, and was found to have the herpes virus.

All of the other cats in my home were previously vaccinated against the virus. None have shown symptoms. The infected cat has been with us for six months now.

My understanding is that the virus is like the herpes cold sore virus, as opposed to a more aggressive virus. It’s transmissible when it’s flaring up, but not when it’s not. So even if a cat carries the virus, it’s not that big of a deal. Just keep the virus under control by keeping the cat in a healthy environment – both physically and emotionally, and separating it from other cats when it’s flaring up.

I’m not fostering cats any more because of the cat with the virus that I kept. Just to be safe.

I just think that the woman who was so upset about getting a cat from the breeder that had the virus is more concerned about not ‘getting her money’s worth’ than she is about the finding out about the true nature of the illness and how to help the cat(s), instead of complaining about what she ‘has to do’ to help the cat. She took on the responsibility of a life, and needs to live up to that responsibility– ‘in good health or bad’

[crazycat919]

No I am not complaining about what I have to do for the cats. I am stating what must be done to care for the cats. We know where the virus came from, the breeder. We have pictures and can prove that is where it came from. We have worked non stop with our vet to get this under control. We love our cats and would do anything for them. When you purchase kittens you expect to recieve healthy kittens, especially when the breeder has a health guarantee. We love them and will care for them no matter what but the breeder needs to stop selling sick cats.

[bill353]

I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time with the kittens; I must have lucked out and got a kitten that has a mild case of the virus. Your kittens are lucky to have you to look after them, as many people wouldn't do the work you are doing with them.