Poorly kitten with cat flu.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Our six-month-old Balinese kitten has a recurrence of cat flu again . He first had it a month ago. This time, he has a high temperature, an eye infection, the sneezes and is sleeping all the time. He is still eating and drinking, thank goodness, but he is very underweight.

If he gets another recurrence, the vet will check for other diseases.

I have come away from the vet with a bagful of medicines and a much depleted bank account.

The vet did reassure me that this wasn't life threatening. We are all besotted with this kitten, particularly my oldest son. The other day, DS1 fell asleep during the day and I found him and the kitten tucked up under the duvet, both heads on the pillow .

Has anyone else had a cat with cat flu? If so, did it keep coming back? Any tips?

Also, any tips on telling the breeder would be welcome. I chickened out of telling her the first time round, but I really feel I should this time. However, I don't know what to say without sounding as if I'm asking for a refund or blaming her in some way. Also, I'm not sure what she can do about it if her cats are carriers. Does it mean that she shouldn't be selling kittens, or is this just a risk you take when you buy a cat from a breeder?

Incidentally, the only reason we bought a pedigree was because I am allergic to cats and this was one of the few breeds that don't trigger my allergies. Am not particularly bothered whether I have a moggie or a pedigree, just don't want to spend my days sneezing and wheezing.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Epilogue: received a cheque from the breeder this morning, accompanied by a card apologising for what had happened. The money is going straight into a savings account to be used for our next kitten.

[cozietoesie]

Well that's something, Toffee - the apology more than the money, I think. How long to go now?

[ToffeeWhirl]

Four months and three weeks, cozie.

How is Seniorboy?

[cozietoesie]

I'm waiting with almost as much anticipation as you.

Seniorboy is not too bad. He didn't get on well with the heat at all and now has his residual cat flu symptoms back. (They disappeared when he was given those ABs for his little UTI.) There's nowt to do about that, though - as you know - so I'm just wiping his nose if he has a snottery sneeze. I may try some lysine on him. Still thinking about that.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Oh, poor snuffly boy. I hope he feels better soon.

It's odd, but since our kitten I have taken far more notice of the cats in our neighbourhood and I'm pretty certain they think they are in charge and we are their minions.

Or maybe they actually are in charge...

[ToffeeWhirl]

cozie! Help! You are needed over here!

[cozietoesie]

Of course they are.

I've decided to get some Lysine but after some research it seems that the recommended stuff comes from the States so I've signed up to the .com website. Fatal because I then got sidetracked by their high fashion sections. You would truly not believe what is available for cats and dogs to wear. I can't even bring myself to post the details!

[cozietoesie]

Looks like it's under control.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Any tutus?

I just bought lysine from the health-food shop. Was that wrong?

[ToffeeWhirl]

Sounds as if the FIL is already under that cat's spell. Poor little thing. It's chilling that people can treat their animals like that.

[cozietoesie]

Gosh no - re buying from the health food shop. I buy it from there for me. Just that I read that the powder is easiest for cats and a flavoured powder at that - so knowing how finicky Seniorboy is, I thought I'd try that one. Hence the .com - it's not sold in the UK and certainly not in my health food shop.

I'm sure what you got will be fine. I'm used to buying all sorts of things from the States and the only reason I mentioned it is that .com websites do expose you to some of the excesses that we're protected from in the UK.

I do, however, refuse to look up tutus!