Thread: My Baby has Flu!

Hi Becky

Sorry to hear your little one is poorly.

Unfortunately, calicivirus can lay dormant in cats so you could be unwillingly breeding with cats that have calicivirus and never realise.

The test that is done by vets is a swab test at the back of the cat's throat and this will tell whether your cat is shedding the virus or not. The problem is that although a lot of cats will become carriers, they won't always shed the virus so a swab could show up negative but the cat could become a carrier. It is also possibly for a cat to become infected with calici but then clear it and never shed it again. It isn't a nice virus for them to have as it does cause mouth discomfort, joint discomfort and general flu like symptoms but it is certainly the flu virus that is easier for your cats to get over and most will never show symptoms again after the initial infection.

There are lots of catteries that say they are clear of calici and herpes but this isn't always the case, depending on when the testing is done.

As long as your kitten is eating, drinking and grooming then I would try not to worry. Give plenty of soft, easily digestible food as and when your kitten wants to eat and I would imagine that within a week or so, he will be absolutely fine.

I would mention it to the breeder that you got the kitten from to make them aware.

Louise