CatDonna's Cats

When you walk into your pet food supplier's shop and the first thing the Supplier's Assistant [SA] says is "Watch out for the little cat at the back. It's in a bad way."

When you walk over to the little room at the back and you see your Supplier [S] sitting on the floor, looking like she's been crying.

You've been keeping your eyes peeled; but no cat. So you ask, and S informs you that she'd rescued two kittens, three weeks ago - the first one died this morning after vomiting copious amounts of blood. And the second one was displaying similar symptoms.

Then the cat appears: ginger and white, about 6 months, medium-length coat, a perfect tail. S gives details and you realise that you've never heard the symptoms before:

• High fever [40 degrees Celsius]
• Ulcerated mouth
• Blood tests indicate very low white-, red-blood cell AND platelet counts
• FIP, FELV etc tested negative [so this is not one of the usual suspects]
• Short time period from onset of initial symptoms to death [kitten #1 went from healthy to dead in 5 days]
• The kitten is clearly in great pain. It WHIMPERS EACH TIME IT BREATHES

S took the kittens to TWO vets and both of them, I'm sorry to say, had no clue what it was. They simply gave drips and recommended supportive therapy.

I offered to take kitten #2 to a third vet and S said she and the kitten couldn't take further trauma, No I cannot let him go, I won't let him suffer while I'm not around, I hope you understand.

I can understand.

When I left I called two vets I knew and trusted. Heck, I was going to keep looking for answers or at least something to keep S afloat. Because sometimes even when we sense the worst, it hurts a bit less when we know exactly what is going on.

My second call struck gold. Dr L had treated a kitten with similar symptoms last week, and sadly the kitty didn't make it. It's called PANLEUKOPENIA, or Feline Distemper.

I did a bit of research, called S back and explained some bits I thought she needed to know - especially the parts that mentioned how contagious the virus was and how unvaccinated cats were at risk.

I could hear the strength pouring back into her soul when she said "Oh shit. I gotta disinfect the place." She hung up almost immediately to bleach the entire shop and check on her other rescue cats, some of which had their shots long overdue.

All best, S and kitten #2.

Lessons I've learnt today:

• Keep up with animal vaccinations, routine disinfections etc
• Get third, fourth, nth opinions - QUESTION EXPERT AUTHORITY if necessary
• Do own research

The quality of our life and health is a deeply personal responsibility.

Because at the end of the day, we stand to lose those we love - not just animals but family members and friends - if we don't stand up for them.

CatDonna