Calicivirus

[DobbyTheHouseElk]

Need a bit of advice if anyone can help. I adopted sadcat from CP recently. I knew he’d had a virus, but he’d recovered well. I’ve taken him to the vet for something else and mentioned the virus, and she said it was cat flu. I didn’t know this when I adopted him and thought it was a virus. The vet said it might not have been full blown cat flu. I’m worried now because he is a carrier and I wanted to get a kitten soon. I don’t want him to pass on a virus. I’m a bit confused because the CP didn’t say he’d had cat flu.

It is very common, especially in stray kittens. Any cat that goes outside can come into contact with the virus so getting another cat should not be a problem even if yours is a carrier. Most are rarely symptomatic but can have flare ups due to stress or otherwise; for otherwise healthy cats it's not really anything to worry about.

I imagine the rescue didn't think to specify, calici virus is one of the most common causes of upper respiratory infections in cats (i.e. cat flu).

When I asked about the virus they said it was a new virus and little was known about it. But they said it was all over and he had a clean bill of health from the vet. They said it caused swollen gums and discomfort. Nothing about it being a upper respiratory virus. I’m not upset with them. I don’t feel I’ve been misled, but concerned for potential new kittens I may get.

How's he settled in?

Hi Toddler, he is doing so well. He’s very relaxed and seems happy with us.