Do you think that cats can pick up virus infections at the vet's office?

I'm wondering about this since I took Luna and Lily to the vet this morning for their health check. While we were waiting, they put a sick kitty to sleep, (posted about it here), and they were not sure what it was that made that kitty so ill. I overheard a conversation in which my vet said she would have to do an autopsy to find out; so I guess it didn't die from injuries etc. The cat was only two years old, according to her human, a young girl. She also said she was vaccinated.

I felt terrible for that girl, but I was also afraid it may have been something infectious that Luna and Lily could pick up from the examination table, or the hands and clothes of the vet and her assistant. After the sick cat was pts, there was a dog in the office for her vaccines, and after that, it was our turn. I asked my vet if that cat had something contagious, and she said "most likely not". I guess she cannot say more as she has to respect the privacy of her clients.

But I'm worried. What if that poor kitty had FIP? I know that FIP often affects young cats, and that the symptoms are vague so that they have to do an autopsy. What if Luna or Lily picked up the corona virus. Since I lost my Aysche to FIP, this is one of my worst nightmares.

Kirsten

Yes, cats can pick up viruses from the vets office. It's happened to my cats before. One time I took all 3 of my cats in at the same time this is when I only had 3 cats. After a couple of days Storm ended up with an URI.:( He then gave it to both Sunny and Pepper. Pepper got worse and worse and almost died from this. They're indoor only cats and had only been to the vets so I know that this is where they picked it up. Sky has also picked up a virus at the vets before so I've had bad luck with this. I hope that you have nothing to worry about.

Oh, your poor kitties! :( You had a very bad luck here!
However, I think it's easier to pick up a calici virus (which causes many URIs) than a corona virus, but I'm still scared. :(

Kirsten

Yes, it is possible. When I took Vita in to the vet in February for a URI, they had me bring her in one of the dog exam rooms, to help prevent the spread of the disease. (Cat to cat and dog to dog is more likely than cat to dog or dog to cat. But it is not impossible even then!) When a client leaves the exam room, the vet techs always clean the exam table to prep it for the next patient.

It's the same for children. Take them in to the pediatrician's office and risk them picking up the colds and things the other kids have in the waiting area.


Oh and, Crazyaboutcats, Vita is ahouse cat and she caught the URI from somewhere! Just because they are inside, these things can still track them down. :(
Sandie

Yes, I believe it could be possible if they don't properly clean the room. When I worked as a vet tech in a hospital, we always cleaned with bleach cleanser after each patient. Even then, I would imagine that you could pick up stuff in the waiting room (like how people could catch colds since it's airborn). Luckily, I've never had any of my animals catch anything from a vet visit.

**hugs**

All this is so scary! I look at my girls and can't help but thinking that they have picked up something deadly today. :( I keep telling myself that they have most likely cleaned the table and washed their hands; and that this was most likely not the first time that they had a cat with a severe illness there right before my girls came into the room... the only difference was that I SAW it happen today. But I'm scared. :(

Kirsten

Kirsten, as my Grandma would say, "Don't go borrowing trouble," okay? Worrying about this will do absolutely no good, one way or the other, but it will upset you, and the girls will pick up on that. It's not like they came in direct contact with the sick kitty, or got scratched by her. And if anything was airborne, well, there's not much you can do about it at this point anyway.

You did a nice thing and comforted the young woman. Maybe ask the vet's office if you sent them a copy of The Rainbow Bridge poem in a card, if they could forward it to her.

Then, rub your girls' ears or bellies and tell them how glad you are that they are here with you. At which point, they'll probably think "Silly person, what's the fuss about? Of course we're here!" but will gladly accept the attention - or not - depending on their moods, after all, they ARE cats!

Anything is possible but Karen is right, don't borrow trouble. Your vet's staff is probably good about thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting exam tables, etc. Dr. Lee told me that because my cats love lazing on the enclosed patio w/the windows open that, if another cat comes by, they can catch a virus from that cat. And there are two who roam the neighborhood, one of which is in heat (Grrrrrrrr....don't get me started.....I don't want to see a mama w/kittens in my yard. I will NOT be happy.) Try not to worry too much about your furkids. I know it's easy for me to say when you see how sick they are but I'm encouraged by how well Yodie is doing this morning, so I know your kitties will get better, too. :)

Thank you! :)

Karen, I tell them a hundred times a day how much I love them, and how happy I am to have them with me! LOL

Medusa, my girls are not sick yet, I was only worried about a possible FIP infection which can take years to break out. I'm glad to read that your Yodie is feeling better now! :)

Kirsten