We Have An Epidemic :(

[krazyaboutkatz]

Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear this. Hopefully your vet will be able to give you something to make them more comfortable. Since Sable and now Gable have this, do you think that they may be the carriers of this disease? If I were in your shoes, I'd be very upset and probably be freaking out. I know how even one sick cat can make you get into debt because I've been there and I'm still there. I would just try to make the sick cats as comfortable as possible and if you can I'd try to separate the sick ones from the healthy ones. I'll keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[K & L]

Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear this. Hopefully your vet will be able to give you something to make them more comfortable. Since Sable and now Gable have this, do you think that they may be the carriers of this disease? If I were in your shoes, I'd be very upset and probably be freaking out. I know how even one sick cat can make you get into debt because I've been there and I'm still there. I would just try to make the sick cats as comfortable as possible and if you can I'd try to separate the sick ones from the healthy ones. I'll keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

Gabby first had this and has since past. I'm not sure. Not sure why it started, how, etc. They're all strictly indoors so where in the world did it come from? We may have to put several down if it doesn't stop.

[lizbud]

Does this disease have a name? Is it common in some areas of the country
and not others? I am sorry the Vet hasn't been able to be much help with
this. This must be very scary. I hope you find some answers soon.

[K & L]

Thank you everyone! I guess we should feel fortunate we've gone at least 12 years on a very multi-cat household with little problems. How this got started is beyond me. It's all very depressing. Leila is at the vets today and Beavis goes tomorrow. They give them shots of antibiotics, pain meds, and anti-inflammatory meds. They help for a bit but then anywhere between 3 to 4 weeks they all need it again. The weird part is all their tests are coming back fine. We will keep it up as long as we can and then I don't know what we will have to do.

[Catty1]

The economy is recovering very slowly - but please ask for help if it will keep some kitties alive. I can give a bit, just a bit. But many bits add up!

Again - try disinfecting the air in your place; could be some spring pollutant that has come in.

Also - your story of working with the park cats has been in the paper. Contact the paper/writer and ask for a follow-up. I am sure help would flood in (or trickle hugely) from that. Don't be shy about it - you and your husband have worked tirelessly and thanklessly at what you do, and you deserve some help!

If nothing else, with money you could board several at the vets and treat the others at home.

HUGS!

[Medusa]

This sort of reminds me of my RB Puddy who had CRF and later developed burning mouth syndrome. She got to where she would only lick ice cubes and eat fudgsicles. She had some but not all of the symptoms listed in the article that you posted. Problem is that there really wasn't much to be done for it except to keep her supplied w/bowls of ice cubes in water and hold fudgsicles for her to eat. What clued me in was that her tongue began to hang out. Do your cats do that?

[freckledimple]

Since it sounds like it has a regular cycle, you might take a look at your routine and see if there is a part of your routine that cycles the same way.
You could take general precautions to prevent and control contagion, as well. Of course, keep the ill sepparate from the well. I would set up a quarentine room, and clean and disinfect the whole house. Wash your hands after every time you handle one of your kitties, and use latex/vinyl gloves when handling them and their waste. Remove your shoes when you come in from outside and spray them with Lysol, inside and out. You may even keep a set of "sick clothes" that you change into to handle your sick babies. Basically, do like they do in the hospital with MRSA.

I know you said they did blood tests, but have they checked for parasites? I would imagine there are some, that during their lifecycle, would cause systematic issues and irritations.

Good luck and we'll keep you in our prayers

[K & L]

This sort of reminds me of my RB Puddy who had CRF and later developed burning mouth syndrome. She got to where she would only lick ice cubes and eat fudgsicles. She had some but not all of the symptoms listed in the article that you posted. Problem is that there really wasn't much to be done for it except to keep her supplied w/bowls of ice cubes in water and hold fudgsicles for her to eat. What clued me in was that her tongue began to hang out. Do your cats do that?

YES!!! A couple the tongue is out constantly. I give them half & half milk for the coolness for their throat and hope it will help keep their weight up.

[K & L]

The economy is recovering very slowly - but please ask for help if it will keep some kitties alive. I can give a bit, just a bit. But many bits add up!

Again - try disinfecting the air in your place; could be some spring pollutant that has come in.

Also - your story of working with the park cats has been in the paper. Contact the paper/writer and ask for a follow-up. I am sure help would flood in (or trickle hugely) from that. Don't be shy about it - you and your husband have worked tirelessly and thanklessly at what you do, and you deserve some help!

If nothing else, with money you could board several at the vets and treat the others at home.

HUGS!

Thank you and I will keep all this in mind as a last ditch effort.

[K & L]

Does this disease have a name? Is it common in some areas of the country
and not others? I am sorry the Vet hasn't been able to be much help with
this. This must be very scary. I hope you find some answers soon.

It's basically called Pharyngitis. I'm not sure if it's more common in one region vs. the other. Thank you!!