Re: OT: Small meltdown
Why is it that even a year and a half after Cricket's passing, I can burst into tears after having flashbacks of the night he died? I had to have my beloved Orange PTS at age 18 last fall. His kidneys gave out entirely and I could not see him suffer any longer. The vet came to the house for me; I could hold him in his favorite place, and he gave off such a sense of peace and relief I knew I was doing the wrong thing. I cry every time I think about him, and I wonder if there was not more I could have done (I believe there was and my vet was just plain stupid). I don't think Orange died as traumatically as your Cricket and yet I feel the same way. I think when we really love the grief goes on a long time. Grief does not exist in logical space so we cannot analyze it away. We must just live through it, and with it, seemingly forever. Lynette
vaccinate FIV+ for FeLV?
We have two FIV+ cats in our household, one of whom has previously been vaccinated against FeLV. The other is a recent foster care arrival. We are considering bringing in a cat who MAY have been exposed to FeLV. She has tested negative on an Elisa but exposure is recent enough, and Elisa inaccurate enough, that I'd rather be safe and vaccinate the current foster cat (already FIV+) before she arrives. (The rest of the household is already vaccinated.) Thoughts, recommendations? Lynette =^..^= The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated. --Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948
Re: me - ever the sport - on the taste of pet-tinic (yes, I tried it).
Never tried A/D but the innova cat (red label) canned food SMELLS just like those little pots of deviled ham, and i did seriously consider spreading some on a cracker and trying it. Now, dry kibble... DISGUSTING! I've tried In a previous, split-level larger house, with several feeding stations on different levels, I kept smallish plastic jars full of kibble near each feeding station. These jars are like what you might get candy in at Costco/Sam's Club. My parents came for a visit, and I caught my father munching in ... my bedroom, with no apparent food nearby. With great trepidation I asked him, so... whatcha eating there, dad? He gestured towards the jar and said those snacks, whatever they are. I laughed too hard to find out what it tasted like (Innova adult). Lynette
correct dose of clindamycin?
Can someone tell me the correct dose of clindamycin for non-toxoplasmosis uses (I know toxo is double). thanks, Lynette =^..^= The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated. --Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948
Re: Hi and Question: Mouse Traps
What about sticky glue traps? You'd still have to be careful that the kitties didn't end up wearing them but it would be a lot less painful if they got caught in one of those than if a mouse trap snapped on them. Humane mouse traps are nicer to the mice, too. I've used them with great success. The two I have look like: http://www.themousedepot.com/ I think I got them at Ace hardware? Lynette
Re: Hi and Question: Mouse Traps
The sticky glue traps are incredibly cruel to the mouse. They struggle to free themselves until they starve to death, have a heart attack etc or until the trapper finds them, still alive, and has to kill them personally. That's why I was recommending the humane type: http://www.themousedepot.com/ Sticky traps are awful. I can't stand to kill anything. I just take the mice outside and let them go when I use these humane traps. THe only problems happen if the cat gets them before the trap does. Lynette
Re: Luy not eating
She ate a tiny bit (like maybe 10 licks). So finally I syringe fed her 2/3 of a jar of baby food, with gray petting her as I did. She did not seem to ha te it that much, and perhaps less than having food shoved in front of her face every 30 minutes, and afterwards she washed her face and then purred while I pet her. Maybe I will do this a few times a day for a few days and see, unless she starts to hate it more. Knowing where to draw the line in giving supportive care is always difficult. I lost my Samantha to intestinal lymphoma last summer. The previous winter, she had a severe URI, and we knew she had the lymphoma. She quit eating. I decided there was no way she was going to die of a stuffed up nose, no matter how much she hated being force-fed. I cried while syringe feeding her many times. She didn't eat on her own for two weeks, but finally started eating. She got to really enjoy the springtime, and I took huge pleasure in seeing her sunbathing on our back patio. She would roll and rub and show her happiness to still be alive. It was definitely worth it. As summer progressed, she took a turn for the worse and it became evident it was her time. I will never regret force feeding her those weeks; it gave her that last wonderful spring. That doesn't mean force-feeding Lucy is right or will always be right, just that if it is only the congestion preventing her from eating, it may be the right thing even if she doesn't like it. Peace to you and Lucy. Lynette
Bandit is NEGATIVE
Completely bloodwork just came in. He's negative for everything. Vet's best guess now is a very tough URI. He'll stay on the Clindamycin and steroidal eye ointment for a total of 10 days and of course we will be watching him closely after that for any signs of recurrence. Thank you for all the helpful suggestions and kind thoughts. Lynette =^..^= The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated. --Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948
Bandit: toxoplasmosis
Bandit is 3.5 yrs, -/- and used to be healthy. He previously had a round of fever for which no cause was identified (starting January 6), antibiotics were prescribed, and improvement was seen. Last Friday, he showed symptoms again; stiff gait, fever 103.2. We started him back on Clavamox. We had found bite marks all along his back, and thought the previous round of antibiotics just didn't go long enough to take care of whatever infection there was. Of course the part where I'm pretty sure the biter is FIV+ is not very good either. Saturday, we locked he and his brother in the bathroom for our diabetic cat's morning feeding and insulin (otherwise they annoy her, she doesn't eat, etc.). They are locked in for about 10 minutes and are totally accustomed to this routine. When we went in to get them, my partner lifted him up from in front of the heat vent onto the toilet to put eye medication in (he's had constant eye infections for the past month) and he was peeing. Simply all over, didn't stop, looked like he couldn't help himself, totally embarassed. I called a vet I had met volunteering with my humane society; the best one I've encountered. I couldn't get in to see her until today. We went through the symptom list and she said toxo. We've drawn blood to confirm but all his symptoms match: lethargy, depression, eye issues, neurologic symptoms including bladder control, anorexia (he has lost TWO POUNDS since last October. I believe her gut is correct. I've now read through Phaerwyn's post for Michelle that had a lot of toxo information. I haven't found anything that explains the long term effects of toxo very well. I'd also like any toxo specific dietary recommendations, supplements? I am so worried. Any information would be appreciated. Lynette =^..^= The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated. --Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948
Re: Bandit: toxoplasmosis
Titers for toxo do not necessarily tell you if a cat has toxo, but there are two that can help: IGM titer and IGG titer. Apparently the ratio between the two can strongly indicate toxo. Regardless of whether you do these tests, though, or their results I would start on clindamycin immediately. Be aware that the dose for toxo is double the dose of using clindamycin for other purposes-- it's 12.5 mg/kg twice a day rather than once a day. I guess I left out some critical details. He was prescribed 75 mg tabs of Clindamycin twice a day. Doing the conversions that's a little light for a 14.something lb. cat but not much. I'll mention this to the vet when she calls with the blood results tomorrow. He was also prescribed Triple AB w/Steroid Ointment for his eyes, which are one of his major symptoms. He's had his first dose of both. She gave a month's worth. Note that he improved on the Clavamox and NeoPolyBac the first vet prescribed, but relapsed. I guess any antibiotic is better than nothing, but 10 days wasn't nearly enough of the wrong drug. Or something like that. She was hoping we'd get blood results tomorrow but it may be Friday. I won't be able to post them until the weekend. I don't know if she ordered the titers you mention above; she said it would be a very full panel as if it's not toxo she wants to have all information at hand. On the how to prevent my pet from becoming infected (concerns for the other felines plus future foster cats) section it is not clear to me how this ever transmits via feces. They'd have to eat it, wouldn't they? I'm trying to figure out how he got it, too. He does go outside, and he is a successful hunter. He was last out at least 3 months ago, and he thinks prey is something to be brought home and shown off, not eaten. Could it lie dormant 3+ months? Could something like being beat up/bitten by one of our other cats cause it to come out of dormancy? thanks, Lynette
Re: Bandit: toxoplasmosis
They get it from feces by getting it on their paws in the litter box and then grooming themselves. Good point. I wonder if a foster cat brought it in. When did he start on clindamycin? any improvement? He's had one dose. He was already greatly improved from the Clavamox he'd been receiving, last night was capering around the house like his old self. I can't tell any difference after just one dose of the Clindamycin. is he felv+? has he been on steroids in the past? both can make them get clinical toxo even if they have just been carrying toxo without being sick, a many cats do. He was last tested for FeLV and FIV more than 3 years ago. He co-habitates with an FIV+ and I would not be surprised if he is FIV+ after finding bite marks. I don't think he will prove FeLV+. Bloodwork is complete and will contain both those answers when I get it. He has never been on steroids. Thank you for taking the time to answer me when you are so concerned for Lucy. Lynette
Re: cat BM in inappropriate locations
Rubbermaid also makes high sided boxes with an entryway in one of the short= sides. The ones I have have 11 sides (on the 3 sides) and I've seen Band= it actually standing up and tinkling against the side, so it's definitely h= Yeah, we actually use file storage bins purchased at an office supply store. We cut a hole in the side for our arthritic older citizens in some of them, and others we just let them hop in and out of the top. The boys love the stand up and pee thing, and the arthritic older lady can no longer squat. She goes over the side on everything Petsmart sells including that nice high-backed job (yep, we tried it), and covered litterboxes don't work because she pees right at the crack between the cover and the bottom, with subsequent drippings out the back. Anyway, I am sure another litterbox would be totally appropriate; my partner is yelling at me about it already, but I REALLY want to avoid it. We have such a teeny house and every place we can put a litterbox pretty much already has one. We had one more poopie outside the box that was very hard and dry and nothing since then. I suspect he's feeling better about things back there and hope he is recovering from his litterbox aversion. Otherwise I guess we'll be putting a litterbox somewhere quite unpleasant. Thanks for the suggestions. Lynette
cat BM in inappropriate locations
In a way, this is almost funny, and I hate to interject it between all the terribly serious things that are happening with other's cats and the desperate measures some are going to try and save their babies. My heart goes out to you, Paolo and Michelle in particular. Our ~12 y.o. FIV+ male, Otis, has begun defecating in various places around the house. The first incidence happened probably a month ago, when he was locked in the bedroom with no litter box for about 1/2 an hour (feeding time). He used the closet. We said stupid us and made sure never to do that again. A few days later, he went in the closet again. The doors were all open and he was never locked in. A month later, we found it in the bathroom, on the bathmat. Next, we found urine on the bathmat. The next day, he went right on the tile in the corner of the bathroom. Today, I *knew* he was going to do it, went in there and caught him, put him in the litterbox. He vaulted out of there like a teenager and headed right back to the bathroom. When he squatted, I picked him up, and, well, he did it anyway. My partner is a vet tech, and I held him while she expressed his anal glands today. One had a lot of relatively hard matter in it; the other seemed pretty normal. We were hoping that was the reason for his behavior. Lo, he went in the bathtub while we were out at the gym this evening -- just a small bit, but there it was. Did he develop a litterbox aversion because the anal gland was bothering him and just hasn't figured out that it will not hurt to use the litterbox? Or ... what on earth is going on? On the tile and in the bathtub are two of the least destructive choices he could make but naturally we want him in the litterbox! Lynette =^..^= The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated. --Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948
Re: Bandit
was to be sure. I'd offer him two options to lay one, an ice pack under a big fluffy towel, and a heating pad under a big fluffy towel, and let him choose what fe els better for him. I do this with all my injured, sick, or recovering from surge ry cats, Great idea. and they always choose one of the two. Did your vet do a neurological exam in addition to looking for sprains and injuries? Favoring a leg but NOT expressi ng pain during manipulations points towards something neurological. Which leg is he f avoring? A rear leg? Neurological issues often start in the rear and progress forward as they worsen. Did your vet do a toe pinch test on all legs to test for a pain refle x? What about pin prinks up the inside of the thighs? Is he dragging his tail, or is it functioning normally? You can do most of these tests at home, especially sinc e your partner is a vet tech, she should know the basic neurological tests. Is he po oping ok? He did not do any of those. My partner is uncertified, and only knows what she's seen the vets at her clinic do -- and in my opinion they are not particularly competent. I will ask her if she knows how to do a neurologic exam. His tail seems normal for a sick cat. I also can no longer tell that he is limping on any particular leg. I just wonder if his fever was so high that everything hurt. I feel REALLY badly that I didn't take him to emergency. We could have checked his temp here but didn't because it seemed like a leg thing. He's definitely better but still not active. I don't know for sure if he is pooping. During the periods he has been confined he has peed but not pooped. However he's eating enthusiastically and showed no sign of gastro distress when palpated by the vet. Lynette
Re: Bandit
Me too Lynette. How scary to find him like that! So, they were sure enough to not take xrays? Please let us know how he's doing, Yep, no xrays. I'm really close to punting this vet. I already would have but it may cause problems for my partner since she works there... Lynette
Re: Antonio
***RANT ALERT (from a crazy nicotine addict in withdrawel)*** I've always been very happy with my vet's officebut I came very close to opening up a can of [EMAIL PROTECTED] a bit ago. Those slap-happy receptionist people are USELESS. My partner is an (uncertified) veterinary technician for a small animal hospital. We live in big-city environs (Chicago, US) and she makes $10 US/per hour. This is not a living wage in our area. The receptionists make anywhere from $8 to $10 /hr. Consequently, to work in this field, you must: 1) have another adult willing to support you 2) be young enough your parents are still supporting you Most receptionists fall under #2, meaning they are teenagers. Who talk about hair and boys and their dates. If the clinic could pay more, they could hire a better quality person (i.e. adult; some of these children may be just fine once they grow up), at least in theory. The one little place I am familiar with, simply can't. The doctors make enough to support their families, but I've been in their homes and they are not mansions -- just simple middle class places. The owner is not making a fortune, he's making a living. Paying his employees better would impact his ability to support his family. I am not defending those employees, nor the vets who employ them. The very same sort of people have hissed me off royally too. If you are going to hire people for cheap, expect to spend that much in time, trying to keep them in line and behaving appropriately. Most vets don't bother or don't know how. Complain. It is the only thing that can change things for the better. Don't do it when you're totally hissed off and in a nicotine fit (hang in there; what you are doing is admirable and very very difficult). It might be best to write a very clear letter that the owner (find out which vet(s) own the clinic and address it to them) can read in the privacy of their office. Don't rant, don't rave. Be very clear that you did not receive professional attention from the office staff, and you expect appropriate behavior or you will be taking your eight babies someplace more professional. Especially at small clinics, people with large numbers of animals who care deeply and spend money can have a very real influence on things. (And I'm glad Antonio is home with a remedy; my own adventures at the vets in another message.) Lynette
Bandit
Bandit is 3.5 years, 15 pounds, and neg/neg. He's healthy, but overweight. Saturday night we came home, dished out the nightly feeding to eight cats, and when we opened the door to where he and his brother eat, found him lying on the bathmat. He wouldn't get up, and when stood up (very gently, my hands by him so he woudln't fall), wouldn't walk. Well, he tried a little but seemed to be in such pain that we quickly put him on the warm waterbed, which the cats all find a comfort zone. When I felt him, it felt like heat was radiating from his left rear knee, and possibly from his front left paw. He was extremely lethargic. However he did respond with affection to the attention he was getting. He did *not* feel hot. We thought perhaps he'd fallen off the cat tree in his sleep (top perch is about 8 feet high, he has fallen off of much shorter places in his sleep). So (it being midnight), we locked him in our bedroom with us and all the amenities. He slept snuggled up to me all night, which he never gets to do these days (we have to lock them out with the kittens here or there's no sleep to be had). The next day he seemed much less lethargic, and more like he'd hurt his leg. He could walk on it some, but clearly experienced discomfort. We opted to wait until Monday, when he could go see his regular vet, where my partner works (yes, there are financial reasons here). So we went today, and found out his temp was 103.8. The vet did a very careful exam and could find NOTHING. No pain on leg extensions; he could hyper-extend the knee a little but nothing too crazy for a cat. No bites. No nothing. The fever indicates infection, so they prescribed Clavamox and to observe him closely. He's walking better but is still not himself (nothing like following a cat around making sure he doesn't jump). He'll continue to receive the isolation/snuggle treatment and I'm again grateful I can work from home so I can keep an eye on him. What in the world? Lynette =^..^= The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated. --Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948
Re: SNAP test faint positive, queen, 5 kittens
I would run another SNAP ELISA test asap, as operator error accounts for a hi gh rate of inaccurate results. It could have been a bad test, it could have been a bad testing procedure, it could be anything, but false results are known to happe n with that kind of test. Thank you again for this piece of advice. We just re SNAP ELISA tested the mom and she came out negative/negative. The vet feels confident in the result (and I do too; the first place she was tested was by new/young techs who could have done any number of things incorrectly). The kittens are on Albon and low-residue food for their diarrhea. The vet did not see any parasites on the slide but thinks there is a possibility there might be coccidia. I would have spent an entire month worrying whether mom was positive and kittens were exposed had you not said to retest. Thank you again. Lynette
kittens have diarrhea
The three kittens I am fostering, whose mom tested a faint positive 12/24, have ongoing diarrhea. They have received Albon and Metronidazole but the diarrhea (liquid) continues. They are eating Purina One kitten chow, plus quite a mix of what is available around the house (Science Diet adult, Innova Adult, and Purina DM). This is not optimal for controlling intestinal issues, but again, I don't want to lock them up. Other than the diarrhea they are a normal and lively lot. Of course since they have possible exposure to FeLV I am fretting that the diarrhea is indicative of something sinister. How should I proceed? Back to the vet, or hope it works itself out? What is the likelihood FeLV is the base culprit? thanks, Lynette =^..^= The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated. --Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948
kittens with diarrhea
Thank you for your suggestions. We are going to change the smorgasboard into Innova Evo only. Cast of characters: Our cats: Smokey, 3.5 yrs, healthy Bandit, 3.5 yrs, healthy Otis, ~13 yrs, FIV+, hyperthyroid Gussie, 11 yrs, diabetic, brain damage from hypothyroid coma induced by too much insulin (we got her days after she came out of the coma) Foster cats: 3 kittens, Taylor, Jackie, Kayla, possible FeLV exposure from mother The smorgasboard originated this way: the kittens came to us on Purina; rather than change diet and annoy bowels that way, we just left them on it. The DM was for Gussie; of course she prefers the Innova anyway, and the protein/carb balance in it is acceptable for her, so the other cats were eating diabetic food and she was eating theirs. Otis will eat Science Diet or table scraps, your choice (rescue cat who had been fed table food by the classic little old lady who supported him off her dinner). He absolutely refuses Innova and is thinner than we'd like already. Our new plan is to meal-feed Otis Science Diet, unless by some miracle he decides the Innova is ok, and leave only the Innova down for free-feeding. In answer to the question about the Albon and Metronidazole, they were on the meds 10 days. They have received weight-appropriate dosages of Drontal twice; they had tapeworms and because they had diarrhea the vet recommended treating twice as the dewormer potentially was not in their systems long enough to be completely effective. Can you tell me what an inpouch tritrichomonsis test is? Google is not returning any results. A fecal and exam follow up seems appropriate to me once we see if making their food consistent helps. How long should we wait? Lynette =^..^= The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated. --Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948
Re: kittens with diarrhea
info if your vet needs to know where to get the kits or needs more info) http://www.fabcats.org/tritrichomonas.html (this is a link that has more abou t trich) Now that I read this article, I realize that our rescue group vet mentioned this in connection with an adult with persisent diarrhea I fostered previously (diagnosed with IBD), so I am sure he is aware of it. I have a gut feeling that it's something like this -- a parasite that Drontal doesn't kill. And now that I think about it, their mom had diarrhea too (she is in another home so is less present in my mind). I'll get them to the vet for some fun poop checks, hopefully Wednesday. Thanks for a great link. I think the Evo will help, and I think a viable option for your table scrap k itty would be to feed raw or at least home-made, as it will be more of the flavo r and food type he is used to, but healthier than actual human scraps. We do give him cooked chicken and turkey when we have it on hand (we eat most meals at home so it's on hand fairly frequently) To really do handmade properly requires a lot of nutritional effort that I'm sure is outlined in the links you shared and I'm sure you're well aware of. I've done a ton of nutritional reading and just simply have not had the time/energy to do this right. Hence the Innova in the main bowl; I decided it was the best I could do short of BARF/homemade. Lynette
Re: kittens have diarrhea
Try Apple Pectin and/or Metamucil in small amounts. Also try probiotics/yogurt with active ingredients. We are using Purina veterinary diets fortiflora mixed into IVD/Royal Canin limited ingredient wet food at night. I don't know whether to continue this, with the stop the smorgasboard plan in effect, but it's certainly in the probiotic concept. Lynette
Re: kittens have diarrhea
Keep in mind that a lot of times giardia does not show up on fecal. How long have they been on metronidazole? Have they been dewormed, preferably with D rontal? They were on met for 10 days (off now). They've been dewormed twice with Drontal. Lynette
Re: kittens have diarrhea
How does the poo smell (fouler than usual diarrhea)? Is it greenish at all? I s it a pattie-like consistency, similar to cow patties? Trich is usually greenish co w pattie like poo with a TERRIBLE smell, very odorific. It's quite odorific. However, it is brown, not green. Just darker than tan? Basically, they rot. It's 50/50 when they hop in your lap if the smell is tolerable. My adults are grooming them, but not a lot yet. Lynette
Re: kittens with diarrhea
Oh yeah, I completely understand! I don't do raw or homemade myself for JUST that reason, too much effort (and money)! It might be ok to just feed him the chic ken and turkey you are plus a bit of a general supplement, like say Feline Missing Li nk, or Vita-tabs, or anything just as a general vitamin/mineral source (not optimal, but better than just the meat alone). If he's refusing to eat the kibble, and all he is eating is chicken and turkey though, it's not going to be a viable long-term option. Ahh, I see. Yes, this is exactly why I was planning to continue to offer him Science diet several times a day. I know just plain old chicken/turkey is not nutritionally complete. This was more about getting him some healthy calories to replace some of the cancer corn. I'll take a look at the links and if there's a supplement maybe I can shift the balance some. The other confession I should make, while I'm confessing my cat feeding sins is, we give Otis, Bandit, Smokey 1/2 can fancy feast each, each evening. Gussie has to get wet DM so we can shoot her safely with insulin, and the babies have been having the limited ingredient with the probiotic mixed in. Maybe if you all yell at me enough, I'll figure out how to replace the FF with something better -- but they are totally addicted to whatever kittykrack the nasty FF makers put in there. What a super cool group. I am amazed at the level of answers, how much everyone knows, etc... and how tolerant everyone seems to be. I'm delighted to have found this group. Lynette
SNAP test faint positive, queen, 5 kittens
Hi all, I do rescue work in the Chicago area. My group took in a queen from another organization; she was about to give birth and in fact did so hours after we received her. Fast forward three months... three of the kittens were sterilized and SNAP tested negative/negative on 12/2. She was separated from her kittens on 12/18 in order that she dry up so she could be sterilized. On 12/24, another kitten was sterilized and also SNAP tested negative/negative. That same day the queen was SNAP tested, and the test came out a faint positive, ie a light blue dot instead of a darker blue. She was also sterilized. The veterinarian in attendance recommended we hold the queen and re-test her in 1 month. If she tests positive again, we potentially have an FeLV cat and would follow up with an IFA test. The veterinarian also recommended that the kittens only go to homes with no other cats. Our rescue group does full and honest health disclosure, to the best of our ability, and we can't imagine adopters wanting FeLV exposed kittens, so we plan to hold them at least until her status is known. Before we thought through the implications of the queen's faint positive result and asked the veterinarian what to do with the kittens, I integrated them with my four negative, but vaccinated, adult cats. The kittens and the queen had been isolated in a bedroom for all of their 14 weeks and showed inadequate socialization which would be easily corrected by being underfoot with normal cats in a normal household. I now have a lot of questions; this seems like a kind and patient group so please bear with me, for my stupidity in immediately mixing in the kittens, and for all my questions. 1) How much danger of contracting the virus are my cats in (they received their last feleuk vaccine in late October)? 2) How likely is it that the queen is actually positive? (From the research I have done so far, it appears that this is likely an exposure positive, and her body may well fight it off, but then again any possible exposure was more than three months ago, heading on four months, so I don't really see how it can be an exposure positive). 3) Is there any point to doing an IFA test now, rather than waiting a month? 4) If the queen is positive, how likely is it that the kittens will also turn positive? 5) What is the correct process for determining if they are positive, as in what length of time from their last possible exposure until a reliable test can be given. 6) Is there any point at all in locking the kittens up until we are sure of their status (they are blossoming after just a few days and I am unenthused about this)? I don't want to risk my cats lives and health, but I do want to do the best thing possible for the other cats that come my way. Thank you for any answers or links to answers you can provide, and I apologize if I am asking basic questions. Lynette =^..^= The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated. --Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948
