Group Eulogy

Now I lay me down to sleep.
Memories of kittens at my feet.
Tilt is settled on my chest,
Foster purring, now at rest.
All these kittens now have passed,
Over Rainbow Bridge to Heavenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s grasp.
I speak in favor of routine vaccines,
And also urge- PLEASE “Spay your Queens.â€


-M.A. Miller-

God keep these little innocents in his love and care.

All those beautiful babies. It breaks my heart.

Yes, give them their shots, and please spay and neuter.

Tremendously moving.

Beautiful.

RIP precious little ones. Thinking of you, MA.

RIP little ones. I don't know how you do it Hissy and Mike. You are truly special people.

ALL these babies passed from a pathological severe strain of calici virus, the likes of which I have never encountered in the thirty plus years I have worked with high-risk kittens. If the queens had been vaccinated, this wouldn't have happened. Of course if the females had been spayed this posting wouldn't be necessary. Just so you will be in the know- the symptoms are sudden. They go from healthy vibrant kittens to flat in minutes. Running eyes (clear discharge) no ointment stopped that. Cloudy discharge from nose initially, some blood, then clear fluid, so much that it bubbles. High fevers and I am talking the OMG range 108 and climbing- then collapse and death. They never showed signs of limping or sore joints which is one of the symptoms of calici.

Generally with calici, it causes 80-90% of all URI. Although it can SOMETIMES be fatal in kittens, it also can be kicked with the right treatment. Not this strain- it has mutated. Not to the point of the calici back East that is causing death in 90% of healthy or ill cats or kittens- but fatal all the same.

You see any of these symptoms in your kittens- please get them to the vet immediately and tell him/her you suspect a new strain of calici. Through it all the kittens would eat and drink.

I have two survivors from the group. Not surprising, they are solid black. Black stray kittens have the strongest immune system of them all even with not having mom's milk. BTW the kitten that is the carrier. NEVER gets ill, he/she just infects the rest.

The only drug that even helped was azithromycin. The virus incubates for up to 14 days so you can be fooled into thinking the litter is okay- then it hits and the kitten is gone. They literally drown in their body fluid right before you eyes.

We had something similar to this going through the shelter late last year. They finally started euthanizing all the cats that showed the least symptoms, totally disinfected everything. In fact, that's one of the reasons we have Flambe. He looked like he was coming down with it, and it was bring him home or put him to sleep.

, babies. I'm so sorry your time on earth was so short.

This is so sad, I could cry. They were beautiful little fur balls. You are such a special person to be able to take care of these babies and love them so much. I hope all who read your post will take seriously the good advice you have given. Thank you.

Originally Posted by hissy

Running eyes (clear discharge) no ointment stopped that. Cloudy discharge from nose initially, some blood, then clear fluid, so much that it bubbles. High fevers and I am talking the OMG range 108 and climbing

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Except for the high fevers and (currently)bubbling mucus you just described what Attitude has, especially the running eyes that no eye ointment works on. First it was green/yellow cloudy mucus(that was bubbling out) and now you can tell she is having bloody noses but it seems to have decreased. You can hear and see the gunk in her nose(it's kind of clear to green/yellow, when her nose isn't bloody) but it isn't bubbling. It has mutated into a URI. She does sometimes sound like she's drowning when she breathes.

She is vaccinated and has been like this for over 2 months so I'm hoping it's not as serious as this, but it's scary to read almost the identical symptoms that your (immunocompromised) cat is showing. We haven't tried azithromycin yet. I'm going to bring it up when I call the vet on Mon to tell him how Attitude is doing. If azithro clears her up completely I seriously will worship the ground you walk on.

I'm crying for all these lost kittens and the ones that will come after them. I mean I am seriously crying. Doesn't help that most are tabbies and look like Nuts.

RIP little ones. I don't know how you do it. FeLV+ cats are a cake walk compared to what you do.

I need to go find Attitude and give her a hug. I already caught Nuts, who didn't seem to appreciate my teary hug.

Taryn

Oh goodness, seeing all those sweet babies has brought tears to my eyes

Be safe and well and the bridge little cherubs

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Rest in peace, beautiful babies

RIP sweet babies.

Sweet Little Ones

Sweet babies I'm so very sorry, MA. Bless you for all you continue to do for all those precious little ones in need of your tender, loving care

That is so heart wrenching even vicariously. thank you for caring for them.

~ RIP tiny ones. ~