Butters' URI Panel Results: Not What We Expected. :(

So, NO FHV. EVERYONE thought it was that, including the vet. But nope.

Instead, the vet says he came back positive for the Calici Virus and Mycoplasma Felis. She said those aren't as "serious" as FHV, but I'm also going to be going a lot of research on this site and others, just to get as much info as I can.

She said Lysine might not help, but it wouldn't hurt either. He's also been coughing lately, although there is no "rattle" in his chest like before, so it very well just may be a hairball, since he's really interested in grooming.

She said to watch him closely, but that it mostly just takes time to clear up. He DOES seem to be getting better, aside from a booger incident this morning, and the coughing. She said to try Laxotone (sp?) for hairballs to see if this helps that to exclude it as a symptom.

Any thoughts/advice while I'm elsewhere searching for info?

My friends cat had the Calici Virus last may and she was very sick.
I can ask her if she has any advice for you.
Her cat caught it at a cat show.
I hope your cat feels better.

Originally Posted by mews2much

My friends cat had the Calici Virus last may and she was very sick.
I can ask her if she has any advice for you.
Her cat caught it at a cat show.
I hope your cat feels better.

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Thank you, I would really appreciate it if you asked for me. He seems to be much better from where he was a month ago. And I'm encouraged by the vet telling me it's "less" extreme than FHV, which I figured we'd live with and be fine with, but now I'm reading articles that are scaring the bejesus out of me.

Calici virus is actually rather common. It's a strain of an upper respiratory viral infection, and the symptoms are much like an URI. In my experience, lysine does indeed help them to kick the bug faster. Make sure she stays hydrated (add warm chicken broth to her water if she doesn't want to drink), and make sure she eats (warm up canned food if she doesn't want to eat), keeping nostrils and eyes clear of discharge, supportive care. Otherwise, just like your vet said, it takes time.

P.S. FVRCP vaccines protect against Calici virus, so, make sure to vaccinate any other kitties in the house/area, and vaccinate her when she's better.

Good luck!

Okie

Hannah had that when we first got her. Lots of TLC and patience and now she's sassy and perfectly healthy (except for FHV). At least you know what exactly is going on with Butters and can educate yourself on it.

So, in other words, to those of you who have been through this, just "letting it run its course" is the way to go here? I have such a hard time with that. I feel like I should be helping him somehow.

He's sneezing a lot, but still eating, playing, and generally being bratty to the other cats. He seems happy. I'm watching him like a HAWK.

We're on the L-Lysine, and just generally loving on him. He is still having the loose stool issue, although I think they all are to a degree. Since I started giving them wet food once a day (I divide up one can 3 ways), it seems like the poo in the litterbox isn't what I'm used to scooping. Doesn't mean it's "bad," though. Could be better than the pebbles I'm used to scooping. Right?

Originally Posted by Staceyloobug

So, in other words, to those of you who have been through this, just "letting it run its course" is the way to go here? I have such a hard time with that.

I feel like I should be helping him somehow.

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Unfortunately, yes... just supportive care, treating the symptoms as they come, and it should pass.

Okie

Yep, pretty much you just have to be patient and let it run its course. Just watch for signs of worsening condition, lack of appetite, lethargy, change in playing or litter box habits. In the meantime, give him lots of love and TLC.

As for the poo issue, that could be from changing/adding food, so keep an eye on that, too. (I think you need a few more eyes! )

Well, it looks to me that on the poo issue, we're getting better. While cleaning the boxes today, he decided to demonstrate how he uses the litterbox (EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. he does this when I clean the boxes!), and it didn't look so painful. I felt weird -- like he should be given privacy.

And yes, I need at least two more sets of eyeballs to watch over these three. They are a handful!

As far as the stuffy nose -- today he's been worse than he has been in a long time. He did sneeze out a lovely booger on my sweatshirt this morning, and since then he's been a bit better. He seems to be ok...I'm hoping it subsides again.

Did you have the mucous cultured or just the PCR URD test done? I still think you should have the snot cultured if you didn't.

Bring him in the bathroom with you when you take a shower, too, to help decongest.

Originally Posted by stephanietx

Did you have the mucous cultured or just the PCR URD test done? I still think you should have the snot cultured if you didn't.

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It was a culture. Or so I assume. I know they did a throat culture for sure. It was the "full URI panel."

That was just for the PCR URD (complete upper respiratory diseases panel). You could be dealing with a secondary infection if the nasal discharge is still colored. If it's not clear in a couple of weeks, you might want to talk with your vet about doing the culture and sensitivity test on the nasal discharge.

Originally Posted by stephanietx

That was just for the PCR URD (complete upper respiratory diseases panel). You could be dealing with a secondary infection if the nasal discharge is still colored. If it's not clear in a couple of weeks, you might want to talk with your vet about doing the culture and sensitivity test on the nasal discharge.

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Well, his snot is...SORT of clear? It's a pale yellowish. It was a BRIGHT green at first when we got him.

I took him into the bathroom with me today while I showered, and he seems to not be so congested today to begin with, so after the shower he seemed ok. I had to help him a few times this morning after sneezes to get some of the stray boogies out.

Originally Posted by Staceyloobug

Well, his snot is...SORT of clear? It's a pale yellowish. It was a BRIGHT green at first when we got him.

I took him into the bathroom with me today while I showered, and he seems to not be so congested today to begin with, so after the shower he seemed ok. I had to help him a few times this morning after sneezes to get some of the stray boogies out.

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Green is better than yellow, but still infection. Continue with his antibiotics, and it SHOULD clear up, but keep an eye on the color in case.

Keep doing what you're doing... sounds like you're doing everything just the way you should.

Okie