The final four !

[Kathryn]

Hopefully haven't forgotten anybody,this is Murray, known to his friends as Murray the mauler as he was a bit of a lad when he was younger. He came to me at 3weeks old from a breeder of Bengals, the mother had a pedigree litter then got mated by the local tom when 1st litter were a week old ! so hardly surprising she couldn't cope when she produced 8 more kitties when the 1st litter were 10wks old. Murray weighed 75gms at 3weeks of age , he was collapsed, emaciated & it was a miracle that saved him.He is a big strapping cat pictured here in his favourite spot holding one of his numerous toys, he is too clever for his own good, can undo chubb locks, open any door, make confetti out of loo paper ( he even does this in neighbours toilets !!) & he has taught himself to pee in a normal toilet when the need arises!!

Brogan arrived through a friend of a friend, they had a litter from their cat that apparently killed all but one of its own kittens - Brogan, they had to handrear her to stop her being killed ?! but got fed up after 2weeks as the kitty kept crying!!Anyway she ended up here, she was quite unwell with a kidney infection (had pink urine) presume thats why she was crying all the time, she was lucky to survive.

Muriel & Vanessa, sisters that were found in a garden when they were 2days old & were handreared, they did really well, Vanessa in her usual stretched out pose & Muriel looking haunted although she is quite relaxed , they were going to be rehomed but a blood test at 12weeks of age put paid to that & also to my keeping anymore cats but thats another story

X K

[Mags]

Aww four more very lucky cats to have found you Kathryn

I admire what you have done for them all

[dandysmom]

They're all stunning, Kathryn! I especially like that one of Murray looking like king of all he surveys! Smart fellow as well as handsome!

[yola]

Murray the Magnificent more like!!! That is a superb specimen of a cat there Kathryn!!!

Brogan is a sweetheart - another lucky kitten to have found you

Would you tell us the story of the sisters' blood test? I'm curious now (nosey more like )

[dandysmom]

I;d like to hear that story also (my middle name is Kathryn, not that it matters..)

[charliebubs]

They are all gorgeous Kathryn and what tales they have to tell. Good job they found you to take them all in - lucky babes!!

I'm curious about the blood test too..............will you tell us?? Pleaseeeeeeee??

[Kathryn]

Always blood test kitties at 12weeks for feline corono virus - never ever had positive, i must have been very lucky, also test them when 5mths for FeLV/FIV & only had 1 positive FeLV that was 20yrs ago (showing my age now). Muriel & Vanessa both tested positive with corono virus antibodies at 12 weeks meaning they have been exposed to the virus - for those who have never heard of this virus FeCov is is the one that for reasons not fully understood mutates into FIP -feline infectious peritonitis. They can develope immunity & antibody levels drop so they get over it & don't develope FIP or there antibodies continue to rise & they never reduce. problem is they can shed the virus & you don't know when that is happening. stress on the body eg another illness, rehoming, neutering can predispose them to FIP, spread by faecal contamination & possibly saliva/tears & can survive 9MTHS in the home. Muriel & Vanessa both have extremely high antibody levels they were tested mthly but the levels kept rising so don't bother now its too depressing, some of the other cats now have high antibody levels as they have become infected/exposed, 1in 10 cats develope full FIP. it was suggested that they were both euthanased but.......,they're both 18mths down the line seem fit, the other cats also but if anybody is slightly off colour my first thought is oh my god here we go as it is such an insidious disease. The only thing i can't quite work out is how they became infected. all info on FIP from Glasgow infers that an FIP positive mother cat can have kits that will be negative if taken away at 5wks of age. Muriel & Vanessa left their mother at 2 dys, i can only assume maybe one my adults was carrying & shedding virus having become infected outside as is the usual method of infection. we do have a cat breeder a few door away that lets her breeding cats wander freely, has visiting cats & frequently loses litters & young adults through severe illness so i am suspicious .....
this was another reason for wanting to cat proof the garden, so M & V can go out but never leave the garden.
X K

[Sweet]

Lovely pics x

[alexgirl73]

Wow! The cats you have, and their stories, are amazing! I take my hat off to you with all the hard work you have put in with these kitties! ((hugs))

[vicki]

Your gang are so gorgeous.
Corona virus is very previlant amongst cats and most carry it but just dont see any symptoms, FIP is a awful thing and its not nice to see Heres hoping your lovely ladies go from strength to strength!