14 May Second Chance: Don’t Fear Calici!
Since 1994, the Animal Resource Center and the Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been dedicated to serving animals in Southwestern Colorado. Adoption hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The facility is located at 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway, CO. View shelter pets and services online at secondchancehumane.org.
View shelter pets and services online at www.secondchancehumane.org.
“Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives.”
View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.
Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432.
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Go here for more about Second Chance.
Dean and Tulip have the unfortunate label at the shelter as the last of the “Calici cats.”
A couple of years ago, we prevented a shelter-wide outbreak of this common virus. Several litters of kittens showed symptoms, so we quarantined them until they were symptom-free. This was a huge detriment to their search for their forever homes. The shelter had many other “healthy” kittens who went home when they were adorable fluff bundles. The Calici crew was not cleared for adoption until they were past that cutie-patooty stage. They were teenagers, still cute, playful, and fun- but no match for the appeal of a tiny kitten.
All of them have since found homes – except Dean and Tulip. We have featured them many times on our social media pages, yet they are still here. Tulip was born in our care to a feral mom; Dean came in as a tiny kitten. So, neither of them has known life outside of the shelter. We decided they should go home as a bonded pair, since they’ve been friends and roommates their entire lives. Dean is a social cat, whereas Tulip is a bit reserved. His personality and companionship help her feel more comfortable.
The pair are handsome, two-year-old, short-haired cats. Dean is solid black (which sometimes means a cat is overlooked), and Tulip is a tuxedo cat with a Cindy Crawford beauty mark on her lip. There is no reason why they have not been adopted, unless they are still being overlooked because of calicivirus.
So, here are the facts about this very common virus.
Calici (Feline calicivirus, or FCV) is an infectious virus of cats that typically attacks the upper respiratory system. It is passed by sneezing or touching surfaces where other positive cats have been. It causes a severe cold (congestion, sneezing, thick mucus, nasal and eye discharge) and, most notably, tongue ulcers, which can make it very painful to eat. It can sometimes cause limping and fever as well. It is highly contagious, spreads through direct contact with saliva, nasal mucus, and eye discharge of infected cats, and aerosol droplets when cats sneeze.
That is why we are vigilant about isolating infected cats. Kittens are at higher risk of infection, while older cats usually get milder cases. About 60% of infected cats can clear the virus once they no longer act sick, but 40% carry it asymptomatically and can remain infectious lifelong. Other cats who are in contact with this cat should be up to date on their FVRCP vaccine. The vaccine will decrease clinical signs but does not fully prevent infection.
Dean and Tulip
When Tulip and Dean go home, we will provide information about the “what ifs.” However, they should live full lives without Calici symptoms. We will all be so happy for them and their lucky new family.
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