Kittens with issues
November 5th 2008 01:44
It all started on Monday with Zenith and a gunky eye. I thought nothing of it, she's been hunting mice and could have easily poked herself in the eye on a headlong rush to a mouse hole. By the next day, both her eyes were running and puffy and sore. By the afternoon, all the kittens had it too.
Off to google I go. I couldnt live without google. I remember the old days when we had a rescue animal with a drama, and we would guess and second guess and pray with wrung hands that we had done the right thing until we could get to the library and check out the relevant book. Now there is none of that heart stopping waiting - Im sure if a baby elephant appeared, google would tell me the best way to look after it.
The articles I found made me surprised that our five cats have never had eye problems. Apparently, conjunctivitis is prevalent in the species - they are highly susceptable. Also, the herpes virus manifests in cats as upper respiratory disease, similar to hayfever in humans. And, something I did not know, all cats have it, all the time. There is no cure, it cannot be eradicated. Cats who are vaccinated are less likely to show symptoms, but they will still have it and show symptoms in times of stress and lowered immune systems. They highlighted and stressed that feral cats cannot avoid the disease, as they are never vaccinated, and have no natural immunity in their communities due to none of them ever being vaccinated. I was about to tear my hair out, I tell ya! The only thing that can be done - whether it is conjunctivitis or herpes - is bathe the eyes in saline 3 times a day for relief. Because of the highly infectious nature of both, it is not recommended to take them to the vet.
So I begin the bathing. They all hate me now and run when they see me. Zenith in particular is very shitty with me, as I thought perhaps fleas would make the problem worse and gave her a revolution dot. I thought she might run away, she was so upset! How can she trust me so much?
The good news is that the problem is clearing. Apparently 'persian' type faces - flatter, wider and more open eyes - are very susceptable, and thats proved as WhimaWay with the most persian like face is in real discomfort. Axis and Niah, with their deep set eyes, dont seem to have even noticed and there is never any infectious gunk when I bathe them. Little Azhure is doing well with it too but she seems to get gunk on her face because she is the dirtiest! Im still swinging between conjunctivitis and herpes though. If it were herpes, simply bathing it would not solve it, they would need a suppliment to clear it. However, Zenith has a cough and sneezes a lot, and these are not symptoms of conjunctivitis, only herpes.
One week to go before they can get desexed and vaccinated. They will go to the Cat Protection Society, the cheapest price I could find, at about $160 per cat. It works out to a grand total of $810. Two owners will be able to reimburse us for their pets, but for the rest we are copping it sweet. CPS advised me that if they could go to the local vet it would be better, as its traumatic to go through the pick up. I know this. Crammed into cages, transported in a van with a dozen crying cats - I know, its horrific, but to go to our local vet for the same procedure is over a grand and I just dont have it. Besides, Ive sent all of my cats through the pick up process, and even though they panic when they leave, they arrive home drugged out of their eyeballs and they seem to think it was all a horrible nightmare, because they are home and safe and....Well....Out of it. Im very pleased that Zenith will be out of it when she returns home and will be way out of condition for at least a week - I dont trust her to stay put otherwise! But girl cats come home with a belly full of stitches, and by the time she's well enough to do a runner Im hoping she wont want to! She is the only pet Ive ever had that will get a name tag collar - I freaked out the other day when I couldnt find her - Im not used to having an outdoor cat!
Of them all, Axis is the most people friendly. He cant get enough hugs or kisses and runs up to anyone that comes out, staring up with his gorgeous big eyes and pleading for love. My dear Niah is so furtive and catlike, she's hard to get near, but has started to enjoy the odd cuddle if I dont crowd her. WhimaWay loves pats and cuddles but is usually too busy playing to bother with it, and Azhure is a hellcat, literally! Impetous and stubborn she refuses human attention and cant wait to 'git the hell outta this joint!'
Woe of all woes, Im outta money. Over the last 4 weeks Ive made a mad effort to get some work and every interview or application has blown up in my face. I spoke to a guy today at a promotional agency who said he could have me working by the end of the week. Fingers crossed out there, my magical readers, I need some luck right now, I need to rake in some cash so I can get these kittys desexed and off to their happy homes!
Off to google I go. I couldnt live without google. I remember the old days when we had a rescue animal with a drama, and we would guess and second guess and pray with wrung hands that we had done the right thing until we could get to the library and check out the relevant book. Now there is none of that heart stopping waiting - Im sure if a baby elephant appeared, google would tell me the best way to look after it.
The articles I found made me surprised that our five cats have never had eye problems. Apparently, conjunctivitis is prevalent in the species - they are highly susceptable. Also, the herpes virus manifests in cats as upper respiratory disease, similar to hayfever in humans. And, something I did not know, all cats have it, all the time. There is no cure, it cannot be eradicated. Cats who are vaccinated are less likely to show symptoms, but they will still have it and show symptoms in times of stress and lowered immune systems. They highlighted and stressed that feral cats cannot avoid the disease, as they are never vaccinated, and have no natural immunity in their communities due to none of them ever being vaccinated. I was about to tear my hair out, I tell ya! The only thing that can be done - whether it is conjunctivitis or herpes - is bathe the eyes in saline 3 times a day for relief. Because of the highly infectious nature of both, it is not recommended to take them to the vet.
So I begin the bathing. They all hate me now and run when they see me. Zenith in particular is very shitty with me, as I thought perhaps fleas would make the problem worse and gave her a revolution dot. I thought she might run away, she was so upset! How can she trust me so much?
The good news is that the problem is clearing. Apparently 'persian' type faces - flatter, wider and more open eyes - are very susceptable, and thats proved as WhimaWay with the most persian like face is in real discomfort. Axis and Niah, with their deep set eyes, dont seem to have even noticed and there is never any infectious gunk when I bathe them. Little Azhure is doing well with it too but she seems to get gunk on her face because she is the dirtiest! Im still swinging between conjunctivitis and herpes though. If it were herpes, simply bathing it would not solve it, they would need a suppliment to clear it. However, Zenith has a cough and sneezes a lot, and these are not symptoms of conjunctivitis, only herpes.
One week to go before they can get desexed and vaccinated. They will go to the Cat Protection Society, the cheapest price I could find, at about $160 per cat. It works out to a grand total of $810. Two owners will be able to reimburse us for their pets, but for the rest we are copping it sweet. CPS advised me that if they could go to the local vet it would be better, as its traumatic to go through the pick up. I know this. Crammed into cages, transported in a van with a dozen crying cats - I know, its horrific, but to go to our local vet for the same procedure is over a grand and I just dont have it. Besides, Ive sent all of my cats through the pick up process, and even though they panic when they leave, they arrive home drugged out of their eyeballs and they seem to think it was all a horrible nightmare, because they are home and safe and....Well....Out of it. Im very pleased that Zenith will be out of it when she returns home and will be way out of condition for at least a week - I dont trust her to stay put otherwise! But girl cats come home with a belly full of stitches, and by the time she's well enough to do a runner Im hoping she wont want to! She is the only pet Ive ever had that will get a name tag collar - I freaked out the other day when I couldnt find her - Im not used to having an outdoor cat!
Of them all, Axis is the most people friendly. He cant get enough hugs or kisses and runs up to anyone that comes out, staring up with his gorgeous big eyes and pleading for love. My dear Niah is so furtive and catlike, she's hard to get near, but has started to enjoy the odd cuddle if I dont crowd her. WhimaWay loves pats and cuddles but is usually too busy playing to bother with it, and Azhure is a hellcat, literally! Impetous and stubborn she refuses human attention and cant wait to 'git the hell outta this joint!'
Woe of all woes, Im outta money. Over the last 4 weeks Ive made a mad effort to get some work and every interview or application has blown up in my face. I spoke to a guy today at a promotional agency who said he could have me working by the end of the week. Fingers crossed out there, my magical readers, I need some luck right now, I need to rake in some cash so I can get these kittys desexed and off to their happy homes!
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Oh, that blue eyed, ginger haired 'monster' isn't he something else again.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I care too much about the plight of cats to trust the new owners to do it, because I know what its like....With my first cat she was well over a year old before she got desexed. Its not fair on the cat. Its far easier and cost effective to book them all in at the same time, and I trust the owners to be to pay me back.
Yeah, housework is one thing, but have you ever seen a cat try and do dishes?
The Ginger monster.....Axis. Oh doesnt he glimmer and shine? He is without doubt the pick of the litter, and his new owners were lucky to get in first, as everyone picks him!