question for the techs

I know this is a dog forum, and most everyone here hates cats (I am not a fan of them myself, but a few have entered my heart). One of my cats has been having problems for a year or so now. Up and down in weight, poor coat, sometimes gets a cold and withdraws from us. He eats/drinks normally always. He is about 5 years old and I adopted him from the humane society almost 3 years ago. The vets think is may be feline viral rhinotracheitis. I do not beleive this cat was ever owned before I got him, therefore probably never received vaccines until he was like 2 years old. A wellness test was done and his blood levels are all where they are supposed to be.
If there is anyone here who knows anything about these retarded cat viruses, I would appreciate any info. I am not impressed with the vet I had him at, and will be returning to our previous vet. He has never had ulcers or major goop coming from eyes, ears or nose. Just a little bit of crusties in the corner of his eye sometimes. I have done some research but not really gotten anywhere. I know that testing is pointless, as it will not show up clearly. And I know it is not something that will go away, but for the sake of my other cats and the cats I babysit sometimes, I feel it is important to figure this all out.
Thank you in advance for any replys. Feel free to ask more questions, I was a little vague in my post.

 

This cat needs to be tested for FeLUK, FIV, & FIP as soon as possible.

 

I agree with Mia, usually in the shelter they test the cat once and sometimes only for Felv and not FIV or FIP. I would go more with FIV and Felv over FIP.
Have the cat tested and then go from there. And FIV positive cat can live a long fairly normal life.
Felv and FIP and pretty much terminal, even though I have seen a kitten that had Felv live till it was 8 years old.
Good luck.

PS I am no longer a tech but I was for 14 years almost and 6 of those was in a cat and exotic clinic.

 

I also agree. I did have a cat that I adopted from a cat clinic I worked at that had Felv. I had to put her down after I had her for 2 years. She was 6. Now the only problem I have with FIV is that if a cat recieves a vx for it it will test positive for it even if they do not have it. You said you adopted it through a shelter so it does have an unknown background. It may or may not have had vx.

I wish you luck and if the cat tests positive it can live a normal life for awhile. BUt when it starts to go down make the humane choice.

 

even tho your cat is not showing symptoms of rhinotracheitis, he still may be harboring the disease in his nerve cells (called a latent carrier). so, even if he's not sneezing, having runny eyes, coughing, etc, he still may have it. were all his vaccines given at his last check up? hopefully so. and if you have other cats as well, heads up cuz it's really contagious.

 

He is utd on shots, was vaccinated for fvr, calici virus, panleukopenia and chlamydia twice and received his rabies before I got him. I do understand the basics of the disease, and how hard it can be to distinguish it from some of the other immune disorders. The vets told me it would be very difficult to get an acurate response on the tests, but the test will be done, I just need to wait a few weeks as the last bill was quite expensive. The vets were willing to say he was all good when the blood work came back perfect, but I told them that there is something wrong with my cat and started giving them more info and pried. I thought it kind of pathetic, which is why we will be going back to our old vet.
Whatever it is manifests itself mostly around stress periods, such as a new animal in the house, he got the sickest ever when I moved, major weather changes etc... Usually he loses weight, and has often gotten a cold which heals with basic immune supports within a few weeks. I definately understand your point Suki, and if it is FVR or some other virus, he would be exactly that, a latent carrier. And as far as I know, with FVR the cat sheds the virus just before it becomes sick??, really giving you no time to isolate the cat.
If this is the case though, I have 3 other cats and another few cats that have been in contact with this cat since I got him. Would I not see signs from some of the other cats that they carry the disease also, if this is our problem?
I did have a cat when I was a lot younger that we had to pts for FLV and about a year and a half ago lost a cat that went into liver failure and they thought it was FIP but the autopsy showed nothing. Elf is nothing like either of the cases, which I know really means nothing, as these viruses seem very case specific.
Thanks a lot for the help though

 

If you doubt it get another opinion like you said.


I know my cats if I rearrange the furniture they hide. Cats are very funny animals. When we moved they hide. Last time we moved it took Ace 3 days to come out.

I wish you the best of luck.

 

dug this up...



Incidence
FHV-1 occurs worldwide. Cats of all ages and breeds are susceptible, although it is more common in the following:

• Kittens, especially those born to infected mothers
• Multicat households, catteries, and pet adoption shelters, especially those with:
  • Overcrowding
  • Physical (e.g., temperature) or psychological (e.g., introduction of a new cat) stressors
  • Poor nutrition
  • Poor sanitation
  • Poor ventilation
• Pregnant cats that are lactating
• Sick cats (especially sickness associated with a weakened immune system or other respiratory infection)
• Unvaccinated cats

Transmission
FHV-1 is shed through the discharge from an infected cat's eyes, nose, and mouth. Contact with these secretions is a potential mode of transmission. The most common mode of transmission appears to be contact with contaminated objects that an infected cat has touched or sneezed on including cages, food and water bowls, litter trays, pet owner's clothing, and the pet owner's hands.



FHV-1 can be transmitted by direct contact with an infected cat's mouth, nose, or eye discharge. Several days of close contact are necessary for infection to occur. Sneezing and coughing can spread the virus as far as 4 feet.

curious as to if you've ever had your other cats tested...

 

Jan 06 I had a cat put down for liver failure and had that cat fully tested fir everything, right down to a full autopsy and there was nothing, she was not positive for anything. I was going to have my other 3 tested at that time but they said that the autopsy was much more effective, and there are so many false positives and negatives with the test that I might as well not bother.
I am more than willing to have them all tested, and Elf will be tested asap, but if they are all in contact with one another (groom and play) would they all not harbour the disease to one extent or another?
This cat is relatively laid back. New pets do freak him out, and when we moved, but moving furniture or anything doesn't seem to bother him in the least. Anytime he has gotten sick (lose weight, coat get gross, sneeze, goopy eyes and nose but not extensive) I have been able to link it to a stressor.
Thank you very much for the info Suki, it was helpful.