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]

Good, I thought grooming must be a good sign. Have just helped him to do more grooming by wiping vitamin paste on his paws . And yes, the vet did comment on Balinese being a lean breed. Will try to forget about the breeder, but it bothers me because it doesn't fit with the impression I had of her. She seemed to really care about her cats.

Am very happy about DS1's forthcoming appointment.

[SummerRainIsADistantMemory]

Liquid is the priority right now. He may have lost his sense of smell and they don't like to eat if they can't smell it. As long as he's drinking, peeing and grooming I wouldn't worry too much. Keep an eye on his breathing, pneumonia is the killer with cat flu so if he becomes worryingly lethargic and rattles/wheezes when he breathes he may need to be admitted for treatment but for the moment he sounds like he's doing ok. Grooming and affection are great signs.

[cozietoesie]

You did what you could with the breeder - and she may be on holiday now. I'd just move on.

You're vetting him tomorrow anyway I think? So you can check weight and condition with her.

[ToffeeWhirl]

He is drinking, Summer, so that's good. He's also regularly using the litter tray, grooming himself and coming up to us for endless cuddles. He likes nothing more than going to sleep on a lap. I can't hear any wheezing at all.

Yes, cozie, am going to the vet tomorrow evening.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Oh, just had a lovely reply from the breeder!

[ToffeeWhirl]

Right, have just reread it. She says she has been contacting all the people who had his siblings to see if anyone else has a problem. All the others are ok at the moment. She says all the cats here are vaccinated, so there should be no problem, but occasionally they pick things up from shows or trips to the vets. She has changed the type of vaccine she uses as there is talk in the cat world about the one she was using being not very effective these days, particularly the calici part of it - apparently it was developed 40 years ago, and now is not very effective.

She says she hates to think there is a problem and that she may neuter his mother if she is not passing on strong immunity as she is not happy with that.

She asks me to keep in touch as she wants to do all she can to help.

Phew. My faith in my own intuition and in human nature has been restored.

[cozietoesie]

Well that was a great reply - and shows you were right to let her know.

Well done.

[DiaryOfAWimpyMum]

I would still email the breeder she may not be interested but if one of my cats was unwell I would be worried about the breeding cats having it, but some don't give a toss.

I was recommended years ago to give this to my cats, so always have some in powder form and put it in their drinking water, it keeps them healthy, good for cat flu and herpes and helps prevent fleas (apparently) ; l lysine

I only just realised there is one especially for cats, mine still have the one from the health food shop, which i'm sure is cheaper.

[DiaryOfAWimpyMum]

Oh sorry I wrote that before going shopping then posted just now

[ToffeeWhirl]

'She says all the cats with her are vaccinated', I should have said (cut and pasting).

Yes, it was the right thing to tell her, cozie (as you urged me to do when kitty first became ill in April - I know, I know! [smile).

A new development: kitty has started licking walls. Why?! It is a particular area of wall in DS1's bedroom. I wiped it down with wet cotton wool, thinking it may have had some invisible liquid on it, but he was straight back to licking it. I have taken him away from it in case the paint is toxic. DS1 said he noticed kitty doing this yesterday and removed him from it, but he kept going back. Really bizarre.

[cozietoesie]

Gawd - I have no idea. I would have to guess some sort of attractive smell on the wall but what that could be....................?

[ToffeeWhirl]

If it was right in front of where DS1 sits to play his XBox, I would imagine it was splashes of (forbidden) fizzy drinks (I find the empty cans in the bin), but it's tucked away round the corner, where nobody goes. I have googled and it can be related to dietary needs/anaemia, so I will mention it to the vet tomorrow.

Thanks for the tip about lysine, Diary. Did you ever giving it in biscuit form, as a treat? It's a lot cheaper that way, but will be a waste of money if kitty won't eat it.

[cozietoesie]

OK - here are some thoughts. But be warned that they're real beyond the boundary fence stuff.

Has that wall ever been replastered or been slightly damp? If so, there might be some slight chemical efflorescence which is attracting him. I'm thinking something that might have a salty or mineral odour (they have terrific noses) and I'm also wondering whether you're still giving him the Applaws wet food? Do you remember that that's not a complete food ? If he's not getting Applaws dry or another brand of kitten food, maybe he's missing some nutrients.

There could also be some stress which might be producing a pica type behaviour and could be helped with Feliway if you haven't got it.

Also - did you end up getting him neutered? (Thinking how ill he's been, that might not have been foremost on your mind.) If not, and given his age, he might just have been doing a 'starter' spray. You wouldn't necessarily notice a smell because the hormones haven't kicked fully in yet.

That's a garbled tome indeed.

I'd wash the wall down with non-bio, check his nosh (and change it if necessary) and discuss the neutering with the vet tomorrow if not already done.

Maybe others can come up with ideas.

[DiaryOfAWimpyMum]

I never tried it in biscuit form, always power in water which both cats and the dog drank. It really does help.

If she is going to cat shows she could have picked it up there, I know of people who go but change before they come home to their own cats.

Not sure about the wallpaper, he sounds like a character!

[out2lunch]

Sounds to me like a spraying issue
Mine could spray for England
But definitely worth mentioning to vet re paint and pica etc
Re the skinniness - they are so lean....despite eating so much mine was transparent at times in bright sunlight.
Try not to worry too much op these cats are really sensitive and intelligent and do pick up on stress etc.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Is it lead paint? Some cats like sweet tastes, ours loves icing off cakes.

I've never had a wall-licker, that's a new one.

[ToffeeWhirl]

cozie - it's a loft conversion, so the wall was plastered over as it was just brick-work. Kitty is being offered both wet and dry food, but he's eating such miniscule amounts that he might be lacking vitamins/minerals. Am giving him vitamin paste now, so that should help.

I have got some Feliway, so no harm in trying that to see if it helps.

The spraying idea is a real possibility. I was going to get him neutered this month (20% discount at the vet for neutering this month ), but his illness has delayed that. I'll ask the vet's advice about when it would be ok to do that.

In the meantime, I discovered a simple solution: I have pulled DS1's washing basket in front of that bit of the wall. Cue: one very frustrated kitty.

Diary - cat show sounds plausible, but if the owner had carried the virus back on her from a cat show, you'd think her other kittens would be infected too and they are fine. It's all very confusing.

out - yes, he will probably always be a slim cat.

It's not lead paint, Fluffy (luckily).

Am going to have to make a list of things to discuss with the vet tomorrow, so I don't forget anything.

[ToffeeWhirl]

DS1 reports that our kitten is now licking other parts of his wall .

[cozietoesie]

I'd say it's spraying of some sort, Toffee. Orientals can be quite 'forward' in their maturity for that and 6 months is well old enough for that sort of thing.

Is it today he's going to the vet?

[cozietoesie]

PS - let me put it this way. He's going to have to be neutered anyway so when that's done, you can scrub the wall down with something to neutralize any possible smell and see what happens. (Neutering should pretty well stop it in a single cat household.) Your only serious issue is whether he's well enough at the moment and that I'd discuss with the vet.

[ToffeeWhirl]

So he's spraying on the wall and then licking it? Ugh. Why?

No smell, but I think you said the hormones probably haven't kicked in yet.

I have to say, it is very funny to watch because he is so determined and licks so thoroughly. You'd think that wall was the most delicious thing ever.

Seeing the vet today at 5, yes.

[cozietoesie]

I don't know why - even if it is that. All I'm thinking is that he's going to have to be neutered in any case so you might as well get that out of the equation as soon as he's able to take the op.

[ToffeeWhirl]

another cat like mine .

[cozietoesie]

Weird - although worth noting that that's a tiled bathroom so maybe relatively recently completed/grouted and maybe also having something/some odour efflorescing from the wall.)

I would be inclined to throw a broad spectrum solution at this and consider also stress and/or nutrient deficits as in my earlier post. (The neutering has to be done anyway so should be discussed with the vet for an early resolution.)

I just don't know, Toffee. Any other solutions from posters would be great to hear.

[cozietoesie]

PS - are you in a position to switch rooms wholesale for a short period? (I appreciate that it might not be possible to separate KS from DS1 and put him in a room by himself - due to attachment etc.)