I am so incredibly sad... I foster for the local SPCA and have an assortement of kittens in the house. They were all fine and happy. Then 2 weesk ago the SPCA called and asked if I had room for a very pregnant momma cat so I said sure. She was kept separate from the others as I do with all my new arrivals. A week after she arrived, she got really sick, starting leaking "yellow fluid" (amneotic fluid or urine ?) was hypothermic and totally lethargic. She went back to the SPCA where their vet said it might be distemper. She was euthnised immediately to end her sufering and the possible contamination of the other cats at the shelter.
A nervous week went by as I watched the others cats for signs. I was starting to get less nervous but then Beara, my beautifull fuzzy black kitten stopped eating and became lethargic. She was 10 weeks old. The next morning, off to the vet we went and he confirmed distemper. My heart sunk... Not only did this mean that Beara would die, it would mean that all my other kittens in foster care would soon catch it and die as well. I took her home yesterday morning (praying for miracles) but she got worse throughout the day so I finally brought her back last night for euthanasia. She was so weak, when she vomitted bile, she didn't have the strength to move and would collapse in it until I moved her. She was such a pittiful sight...
Now I'm on "death watch" with the remaining 3 kittens who so far are doing good. No signs yet, no loss of appetite or vomitting. Everytime I see them eat, I think "well, they'll make it through today" but I know it's only a matter of time - they were in close contact with Beara all week (before she was sick) and they all slept together the day before she started her symptoms.
Anyways, all this long, horrible, story brings me to my first question: how do I disinfect an entire house from the damn panleukopenia virus ? I can wash floors with dilute bleach and wash all surfaces (counter tops, etc...) but how do I do clothes ? the sofa ? the stuffed animals on my daughter's bed that they would sleep in during the day ? Every crack and crevice she might have gotten into ? (it's a big house from a virus point of view). The SPCA gave me some Vircon so I can spray all solid surfaces. How do I ensure it's all gone ?
My second question: I love being a foster family. I love having kittens jump on my bed at 2 am and snuggle me, I love having to step over them as I try to put the food bowl down, I love having them stand on the outside of the shower trying to catch the soap as it slides down the shower wall. I just love the whole thing ! When will my house be safe for the little guys again ? I've heard everything from 1-6 months (staff at SPCA) to 1 year (my vet) to never. Must I give up my love of fostering ?
3rd (and last) question: After I currently have (before this all happened) a momma (Mrs. Norris) and her 3 kittens in a confined room. They have never had contact with any of the others cats except my cay who is vaccinated. I call him my ambassader - he gets to visit the new arrivals. Anyways, they are all doing well but I can't help but think it's a matter of time for them too. My daughter and I have travelled between the rest of the house (where my other kittens, including Bear are/were) and Mrs Norris' room. We certainly could have brought the virus in on our hands/clothes ? My husband suggested they be brought back to the SPCA in case they have no been infected yet - what do you think ? On the other hand, if they have caught it, I'll know soon enough... incubation is 7-10 days...
Help..... my heart hurts and I miss Beara...
a very sad Julie
A nervous week went by as I watched the others cats for signs. I was starting to get less nervous but then Beara, my beautifull fuzzy black kitten stopped eating and became lethargic. She was 10 weeks old. The next morning, off to the vet we went and he confirmed distemper. My heart sunk... Not only did this mean that Beara would die, it would mean that all my other kittens in foster care would soon catch it and die as well. I took her home yesterday morning (praying for miracles) but she got worse throughout the day so I finally brought her back last night for euthanasia. She was so weak, when she vomitted bile, she didn't have the strength to move and would collapse in it until I moved her. She was such a pittiful sight...
Now I'm on "death watch" with the remaining 3 kittens who so far are doing good. No signs yet, no loss of appetite or vomitting. Everytime I see them eat, I think "well, they'll make it through today" but I know it's only a matter of time - they were in close contact with Beara all week (before she was sick) and they all slept together the day before she started her symptoms.
Anyways, all this long, horrible, story brings me to my first question: how do I disinfect an entire house from the damn panleukopenia virus ? I can wash floors with dilute bleach and wash all surfaces (counter tops, etc...) but how do I do clothes ? the sofa ? the stuffed animals on my daughter's bed that they would sleep in during the day ? Every crack and crevice she might have gotten into ? (it's a big house from a virus point of view). The SPCA gave me some Vircon so I can spray all solid surfaces. How do I ensure it's all gone ?
My second question: I love being a foster family. I love having kittens jump on my bed at 2 am and snuggle me, I love having to step over them as I try to put the food bowl down, I love having them stand on the outside of the shower trying to catch the soap as it slides down the shower wall. I just love the whole thing ! When will my house be safe for the little guys again ? I've heard everything from 1-6 months (staff at SPCA) to 1 year (my vet) to never. Must I give up my love of fostering ?
3rd (and last) question: After I currently have (before this all happened) a momma (Mrs. Norris) and her 3 kittens in a confined room. They have never had contact with any of the others cats except my cay who is vaccinated. I call him my ambassader - he gets to visit the new arrivals. Anyways, they are all doing well but I can't help but think it's a matter of time for them too. My daughter and I have travelled between the rest of the house (where my other kittens, including Bear are/were) and Mrs Norris' room. We certainly could have brought the virus in on our hands/clothes ? My husband suggested they be brought back to the SPCA in case they have no been infected yet - what do you think ? On the other hand, if they have caught it, I'll know soon enough... incubation is 7-10 days...
Help..... my heart hurts and I miss Beara...
a very sad Julie