- Joined
- Jan 24, 2012
- Messages
- 760
- Purraise
- 30
I know the answer is probably "yes" but I'd appreciate your input. Here's the situation....
Our two year old cat, Eko, in the 1 1/2 years we have had him has had 2 coughing/sneezing type colds and 3 ocular flare ups with a weepy left eye. He has not been officially diagnosed with feline herpes (from what I read an official diagnosis doesn't usually happen.) But, I know from reading that cat colds and eye problems are often caused by the herpes virus and most cats are exposed to it, many before they are vaccinated against it.
Our cat Leo also has had two sneezing colds in the year or so we have had him. No eye symptoms but I wouldn't be surprised if he has the virus latent in his system too. And our Emily has very strong alley cat genes but did catch Leo's most recent cold. She shook it off without a vet visit. Our cats are vaccinated and have tested negative for feline leukemia.
Almost every article I read about feline herpes says that you should avoid overcrowding with these cats. So, that is a major red flag in my mind when I consider adding a 4th cat. Here's the 4th cat I'm tempted by....
I met a cat at a local no-kill shelter that could so use a good home. She is 6-8 yrs old, has been living there for 2 years since she was dumped there with her kittens. She has just the type of personality that I think would mesh well with my crew. And (not to bad mouth the shelter but....) she looks a bit neglected. The fur on her hips is all matted (even though she is short haired.) Her fur on her chest is dirty and starting to mat. Someone told me she had been drooling recently (their explanation for the dirty chest) and they suspected she is recovering from a URI. It occurred to me later, though, that if none of the other cats around her are sick she could have an infected tooth.
Now, my main concern is not about exposing her to herpes. In that environment, I'm sure she has been exposed before. Plus she is vaccinated. I'm, of course a little concerned that is she does have a URI it could be a different virus than my cats have had and they could get sick. (She is feline leukemia negative, by the way.) We do have a spacious laundry room that we use as an isolation room for new cats but I'm sure germs still could transfer. My main concern, though, is the warnings you read about stress and overcrowding and their effect on herpes cats.
I can't adopt until a little later in July and the shelter says they are going to take her to a vet to make sure she is ready for adoption. We are still deciding though whether it is wise to add another. It is so hard to walk away from this little orange tabby girl so in need of some love, attention and medical care. But my first responsibility is to my own cats, of course. Eko is the final cat to get this round of cat colds we have had recently and so far his only symptom is his eye. He looks at me with that squinty, weepy eye and it makes me really hesitant to add another. But like I said, it is so hard to walk away...
Our two year old cat, Eko, in the 1 1/2 years we have had him has had 2 coughing/sneezing type colds and 3 ocular flare ups with a weepy left eye. He has not been officially diagnosed with feline herpes (from what I read an official diagnosis doesn't usually happen.) But, I know from reading that cat colds and eye problems are often caused by the herpes virus and most cats are exposed to it, many before they are vaccinated against it.
Our cat Leo also has had two sneezing colds in the year or so we have had him. No eye symptoms but I wouldn't be surprised if he has the virus latent in his system too. And our Emily has very strong alley cat genes but did catch Leo's most recent cold. She shook it off without a vet visit. Our cats are vaccinated and have tested negative for feline leukemia.
Almost every article I read about feline herpes says that you should avoid overcrowding with these cats. So, that is a major red flag in my mind when I consider adding a 4th cat. Here's the 4th cat I'm tempted by....
I met a cat at a local no-kill shelter that could so use a good home. She is 6-8 yrs old, has been living there for 2 years since she was dumped there with her kittens. She has just the type of personality that I think would mesh well with my crew. And (not to bad mouth the shelter but....) she looks a bit neglected. The fur on her hips is all matted (even though she is short haired.) Her fur on her chest is dirty and starting to mat. Someone told me she had been drooling recently (their explanation for the dirty chest) and they suspected she is recovering from a URI. It occurred to me later, though, that if none of the other cats around her are sick she could have an infected tooth.
Now, my main concern is not about exposing her to herpes. In that environment, I'm sure she has been exposed before. Plus she is vaccinated. I'm, of course a little concerned that is she does have a URI it could be a different virus than my cats have had and they could get sick. (She is feline leukemia negative, by the way.) We do have a spacious laundry room that we use as an isolation room for new cats but I'm sure germs still could transfer. My main concern, though, is the warnings you read about stress and overcrowding and their effect on herpes cats.
I can't adopt until a little later in July and the shelter says they are going to take her to a vet to make sure she is ready for adoption. We are still deciding though whether it is wise to add another. It is so hard to walk away from this little orange tabby girl so in need of some love, attention and medical care. But my first responsibility is to my own cats, of course. Eko is the final cat to get this round of cat colds we have had recently and so far his only symptom is his eye. He looks at me with that squinty, weepy eye and it makes me really hesitant to add another. But like I said, it is so hard to walk away...
Last edited:
