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FIV and new baby

  • 12-09-2016 11:05am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 544 ✭✭✭


    I'm devastated, my 10 year old cat has been diagnosed with FIV. I have a 9 week old baby and I'm terrified that he will be at risk of catching something from the cat. The vet says it can't be transmitted to humans but I still can't help worrying. My cat has lost a load of weight and today vomited what looked like bile up. I don't know what to do for the best. Should I have him put to sleep, I really don't know


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Comments

  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    FIV is not transmissible to humans so no need to worry about that.

    TBH if I were you I would have the animal destroyed anyway. It is now a reactor and is at high risk of spreading the virus to other cats.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 656 ✭✭✭AryaStark


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    FIV is not transmissible to humans so no need to worry about that.

    TBH if I were you I would have the animal destroyed anyway. It is now a reactor and is at high risk of spreading the virus to other cats.

    I don't know how anybody can use that language when talking about living animals. Sorry to go off topic but I think it is afull. I had a dog warden knock about my dog years ago and he said that as there had been a few complaints if there was any more he would take the animal and have it destroyed. I couldn't believe it.

    If the poor cat is sick then maybe the right thing is to have it put to sleep Euthanasia is a lovely thing we can offer our pets instead of them having to suffer.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    We have several FIV positive cats. They are no problem at all.

    FIV CANNOT affect humans, so you and your baby are fine.

    If your cat is an outside cat, then I would recommend making it an indoor cat - not only will that help your local wildlife, but as has been mentioned, help protect the neighbourhood cats IF your cat is a fighter. None of ours are and the FIV cats we are aware of, are outside during the day, and get shut into their family sheds at night. We also have a couple of cats that live in the house.

    FIV isn't a death sentence for a cat. It may barely affect them. I wouldn't be concerned about the occasional vomit; most of ours do that anyway - usually after a feast of grass. It it becomes more frequent, then that would require a trip to the vets.

    Has your cat been having health issues? Why did the vet test it? We don't even bother testing any more as it makes no difference to us in relation to the cats. If your kitty has been losing weight, then I would look at maybe a more healthy diet. The main thing I've noticed about FIV cats is they can tend to have teeth problems. Again not an issue - we have a couple of complete gummers who still love their biscuits! We always make sure they are in at night, but like I said, more to protect the wildlife and to keep them off the roads in the dark.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,277 ✭✭✭aonb


    OP, first of all, as has already been stated, there is NO RISK to humans from your cat. FIV just sounds scary, but there are cats who live completely symptom free, there are probably cats out there with FIV and completely undiagnosed!
    I would suggest that if your cat has lost a lot of weight, then you should resolve that issue asap. The fact that the cat is loosing weight, and you now know its got FIV, you are probably reacting (naturally) to the whole thing. Plus you now have a new baby that is making you react (naturally) too.
    So, take a deep breath, phone your vet to discuss why your cat is loosing weight. Make an apt to have it investigated if that has not been done (Im assuming it was which is how you know your cat has FIV)
    Your baby will have a healthier immune system for growing up with a pet! Continue to love your pet - just because its got this diagnosis is not time to panic and talk about having it put to sleep...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 544 ✭✭✭Cerocco


    Thanks for all the replies. I had a very sickly pregnancy so I'm afraid the cats were fed and watered and sheltered but that was mainly it. It was only 5 weeks ago I noticed how much weight he had lost. Brought him to the vets and they did a load of blood tests and all results were normal. The Vet said the cat was stressed with the new baby. However after lots of TLC he didn't show any improvement so I brought him for a second opinion to a different vet and that's where he was tested. I'm heart broken as I rescued him when I moved into my own house and he has been a constant companion since. I have 2 other cats so now I need to get them tested. Ziggy the cat how is sick is not a fighter so there is no danger of him giving it to another cat. I got dry food from the vets and from the pet shop especially to try to put weight on but he won't touch it. I have poached chicken and again he won't touch it. He grazes on the whiskas wet food. Does anyone know of another food I could try? At this rate he won't be with me much longer anyway


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    Kathleen, No offence but I would consider it to be highly irresponsible to retain so many cats with FIV. Of course, they're no risk to humans, but you are still retaining a significant viral reservoir at your home having that many reactors. Despite whatever measures you take there is still a good chance that those animals will propagate the virus to neighboring animals. You also don't know if the apparently healthy animals are hosting a latent infection.
    In my opinion, I would judge the best course of action to be euthanizing of all of the animals.

    Besides all that, in my own mind, I'm not all that gone on the idea of cats with babies.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    I was just wondering, do you need to get your other two tested? We don't both anymore, and our vets are happy with that, as we know it makes no difference in relation to how they are treated. It's of course up to you, but I was just thinking it may save you a few euro.

    Regarding Ziggy - cats can be so fussy, can't they? We still have to buy Felix pouches for ours, as they all love them, though the nutritional value is pretty rubbish. I've managed to at least get ours onto Applaws dry complete food too, as the quality is much, much better, and the main thing is that they actually eat it.

    You can buy little sample pouches for a few euro from the pet shop (I shop in Derry as I'm in Donegal so can't suggest any places, sorry) but them eating something is the most important. Changing diet must be done gradually, rather than just trying them with new stuff, introducing with their current diets is the way to go.

    Have you tried him with fish? Some of ours eat it, some don't. We have tins of sardines in oil for treats. If he eats that, perhaps try him with a spoonful along with his usual food each evening?

    Does Ziggy still seem happy and is still eating? If the vet can't find anything specific, and the blood tests should have showed something, along with a physical exam, perhaps he's just slowing down a bit? He could be put out by the baby, but as long as you find some time for a cuddle, he should be grand. Things change and cats, like everyone, get used to new stuff. May just take a while...

    I hope your Ziggy is ok and I hope you're enjoying the new baby!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,277 ✭✭✭aonb


    odd that the first blood tests didnt show anything, and the second did...
    Horrible to be recovering now from a sickly pregnancy, and your hormones probably all over the place, and the exhausted with the new baby regime, now your beloved cat is not doing well :(
    Do YOU think the cat is stressing with the new baby? Hes 10, so his world is changing a lot with you having been unwell, and now this new baby taking over your attention.
    Ive found my super fussy rescue/feral will never eat whiskas, she wont eat cooked chicken, or fish. I buy the Sheba, Gourmet and Mon Petit brands at Tesco, she will eat these exclusively. Worth spending €10 on one of each of these and see if your boy will eat these.
    Good luck - you have enough on your plate with the new baby without your pet being an issue. Hope you get him sorted soon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    Kathleen, No offence but I would consider it to be highly irresponsible to retain so many cats with FIV. Of course, they're no risk to humans, but you are still retaining a significant viral reservoir at your home having that many reactors. Despite whatever measures you take there is still a good chance that those animals will propagate the virus to neighboring animals. You also don't know if the apparently healthy animals are hosting a latent infection.
    In my opinion, I would judge the best course of action to be euthanizing of all of the animals.

    Besides all that, in my own mind, I'm not all that gone on the idea of cats with babies.

    Without you knowing the setup we have for the cats here, and the years and years of experience in animal rescue I have, always working alongside my vets - you're opinion in relation to me is moot.

    We don't agree on this, no problem. And as you've been so forward in sharing your opinion that; "I would judge the best course of action to be euthanizing of all of the animals". My opinion is that your statement is ridiculous.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 219 ✭✭Bunnyslippers


    A good few of my elderly ferals are carriers of FIV, it doesn't bother me at all either, they have lived alongside non carriers and the others have never contracted it, they are all neutered and we are very rural so don't see other cats not that any of them can be bothered to fight a fly let alone another cat, we have 15 of them!
    I have never treated them any different to the others except they are more prone to getting bugs, I lost one last year he was only nine, he just suddenly stopped eating and went very thin very fast, so he was pts. We lost another a month ago, again he was fine one minute then had a major fit but was fine after, a week later he stopped eating and nothing would tempt him, so we pts, he was 14, so pretty good considering. The oldest known carrier we've had was nearly twenty when he died so they can live normal lives, it's luck of the draw.
    Most of the cats where we used to live probably had FIV, so we just neutered everything that came on our farm, it's usually in most cat populations so not much can be done really except neuter as that seems to be the main way of catching it.

    I'm 8 and a half months pregnant OP and other than not going near cat trays - what a shame!;) - I've done nothing different and am not worried, I've had cats around since I was born and am still alive so as long as you are on top of things hygiene wise I don't see why cats can't live with people and babies, the only thing is making sure your baby is sleeping in a cat free room as cats seem to see babies as nice hot water bottles!! I think a bit of dirt is good, being too clean has been shown to not be a good thing!!;).

    OP it sounds like your cat is at the end of the road, as they are immunocompromised the slightest bit of stress or a cold can send them over the edge, so it is kinder to call it a day as they never recover or if they do by some miracle they usually have problems later like constant eye infections or respiratory issues and they never get the muscle and weight back, we've had two survive a bug but were never the same again and were pts within a year as they both went into gradual renal failure and one kept getting chest infections. So if yours has lost weight and isn't eating much chances are he's on his way out. I wouldn't bother stressing the other two for blood tests - what will it achieve, it's not curable even if they do have it?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭Ms Doubtfire1




    OP it sounds like your cat is at the end of the road, as they are immunocompromised the slightest bit of stress or a cold can send them over the edge, so it is kinder to call it a day as they never recover or if they do by some miracle they usually have problems later like constant eye infections or respiratory issues and they never get the muscle and weight back, we've had two survive a bug but were never the same again and were pts within a year as they both went into gradual renal failure and one kept getting chest infections. So if yours has lost weight and isn't eating much chances are he's on his way out. I wouldn't bother stressing the other two for blood tests - what will it achieve, it's not curable even if they do have it?

    Whilst I agree with everything else Bunny has said, the call if kitty is at the end of the road or not at this point is nothing more than a guess-and not even an educated one.I have seen FIV cats come back from the brink to live for years after. FIV can NOT be carried to humans in any shape or form, factually non of the feline viruses can except Toxoplasmosis which comes from cat poo and is dangerous to the unborn. Monitor your Cat op. feed high degree veterinarian food and asses the situation daily. Allow her to retreat to a quiet spot and try to spend at least 15 minutes a day with her giving hugs and attaention. you CANNOT infect your child with any virus the cat has,Do observe normal hygiene, like washing hands etc. Nothing else required.With FIV, trust me, you will KNOW when the point of no return has been reached. Also, has the vet checked the mouth? One of the most often occurring things with FIP is mouth ulcers, which stop the cat from eating-hence the weight loss.A course of AB will usually fix that.Bunny, the symptoms you're describing relate to FIP-wet and dry form.Not FIV.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    A bit off topic but I would not be comfortable having cat litter trays in a house where a woman is pregnant. Cat feces is the vector of the toxoplasmosis pathogen. I wouldn't be a fan of cats in houses or around babies anyway.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,175 ✭✭✭intheclouds


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    A bit off topic but I would not be comfortable having cat litter trays in a house where a woman is pregnant. Cat feces is the vector of the toxoplasmosis pathogen. I wouldn't be a fan of cats in houses or around babies anyway.

    Why not?

    So long as the pregnant woman takes basic precautions and doesn't handle dirty litter trays what's the problem?

    Cat poo doesn't fly through the air looking for a host for pathogens.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    Why not?

    Because it is an unnecessary risk that can be avoided, that's why.

    Cat poo cannot fly but cats could get poo particles on their paws, then jump on the sofa then woman puts her hand on the sofa and then puts her hand to her face. Pathogens can travel a long way by contact.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,175 ✭✭✭intheclouds


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    Why not?

    Because it is an unnecessary risk that can be avoided, that's why.

    Cat poo cannot fly but cats could get poo particles on their paws, then jump on the sofa then woman puts her hand on the sofa and then puts her hand to her face. Pathogens can travel a long way by contact.

    Sure a pregnant woman could get back change in LIDL that I'd just handled after I cleaned a litter tray! And if me aunty had balls she'd be me uncle! Don't you think it's a bit whatabouterish?

    Cats don't tend to touch their poo after they go, they cover it with litter.

    And any pregnant woman with a cat would be advised to take basic precautions like washing their hands after contact with the animal.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    Why not?

    Because it is an unnecessary risk that can be avoided, that's why.

    Cat poo cannot fly but cats could get poo particles on their paws, then jump on the sofa then woman puts her hand on the sofa and then puts her hand to her face. Pathogens can travel a long way by contact.

    Do you ever leave your house? I'm just wondering as you seem to be so concerned about unnecessary risks that can be avoided.

    Risks are about understanding them and mitigating against them. So, no, pregnant women do not have to get rid of all cats they own, they just need to be aware of the risks related to litter trays and mitigate against it. That's just common sense, without which none of us would ever get out of bed in the mornings...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭Ms Doubtfire1


    don't feed the troll Kathleen....:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    Whilst I agree with everything else Bunny has said, the call if kitty is at the end of the road or not at this point is nothing more than a guess-and not even an educated one.I have seen FIV cats come back from the brink to live for years after. FIV can NOT be carried to humans in any shape or form, factually non of the feline viruses can except Toxoplasmosis which comes from cat poo and is dangerous to the unborn. Monitor your Cat op. feed high degree veterinarian food and asses the situation daily. Allow her to retreat to a quiet spot and try to spend at least 15 minutes a day with her giving hugs and attaention. you CANNOT infect your child with any virus the cat has,Do observe normal hygiene, like washing hands etc. Nothing else required.With FIV, trust me, you will KNOW when the point of no return has been reached. Also, has the vet checked the mouth? One of the most often occurring things with FIP is mouth ulcers, which stop the cat from eating-hence the weight loss.A course of AB will usually fix that.Bunny, the symptoms you're describing relate to FIP-wet and dry form.Not FIV.

    Agree with this completely.

    We've recently lost our last 3 tested FIV cats. Fanger had bone cancer and had to be pts. She was 19. Her Mum, Sissy had a stroke, and died quietly and calmly in my arms. She was 24. And Lulu, just jumped up onto the worktop as I was doing the washing up (she'd never done that before) laid down and died quietly as I was asking her did she want to watch me washing up. She was 22.

    Up until the end, none of these girls had had any issues.

    So along with advice from my vets, that's one of the reasons I no longer test for FIV.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    don't feed the troll Kathleen....:D

    I apologise. You're right. I'm still smarting from the "I would judge the best course of action to be euthanizing of all of the animals" comment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭Ms Doubtfire1


    neither do I. FIP will kill much faster and is way more contagious so i test for that and FEL-v.but FIV? no. Hope kitty recovers OP. :-)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    neither do I. FIP will kill much faster and is way more contagious so i test for that and FEL-v.but FIV? no. Hope kitty recovers OP. :-)

    Yep. Me too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,170 ✭✭✭sillysmiles


    FIP and FEL-ve

    Can you explain what these are - what they look like please?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 544 ✭✭✭Cerocco


    Thanks everyone, I'm struggling to get him to eat. The vet checked his mouth and there are no issues. He is just eating small amounts. I got some sardines for him but he won't touch them. I fear he will just waste away


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭Ms Doubtfire1


    Cerocco wrote: »
    Thanks everyone, I'm struggling to get him to eat. The vet checked his mouth and there are no issues. He is just eating small amounts. I got some sardines for him but he won't touch them. I fear he will just waste away

    Cerocco, they can do a while without food. If he's hydrated he has a chance, but it is really up to you to decide now when enough is enough. Letting him waste away is NOT an option.Also keep in mind many cats will hide when their time is nearing-don't let him do that...my thoughts are with you it's a horrible time when they are so ill.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭Ms Doubtfire1




  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    My cat isn't very interested in sardines in oil but can't get enough of sardines in tomato sauce. Same with my mums cat and my friends cat. Might be worth trying? Maxi zoo have a brand of tinned food called real nature. It is supposedly 100% natural and quite smelly. I'm sure you've tried lots of stuff but maybe there's something that could peak his interest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,189 ✭✭✭boomerang


    Cerocco, they can do a while without food.

    They can't; they are at risk of hepatic lipidosis if they go for more than just two or so days without food. :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 406 ✭✭Rommie


    Have you tried the Almo Nature tins OP? It's really meat in them. That's what I'm currently feeding my FIV boy. He's eating very little as well, unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer last week so we're in the 'make him comfortable' stage now so he gets anything at all that he'll eat but he quite likes the almo nature


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    Yes, no food at all is definitely a concern.

    I'm surprised the Vet hasn't been more helpful, considering all the testing they did? FIV itself won't cause a cat to stop eating, so there must be something else.

    OP - is your kitty indoors all the time? This rarely occurs to me as we don't really live near anyone else, but could your kitty be getting food from a neighbour at all?

    Small amounts of food are ok, as long as he's eating a few times a day.

    I do hope you get sorted. It's so upsetting when they are not well. I hope he comes round for you. Take care


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 544 ✭✭✭Cerocco


    I'm bringing Ziggy back to the vets tomorrow cuz he is just not eating. I'll do whatever the Vet thinks is best. I'll let ye know how we get on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭Ms Doubtfire1


    Cerocco wrote: »
    I'm bringing Ziggy back to the vets tomorrow cuz he is just not eating. I'll do whatever the Vet thinks is best. I'll let ye know how we get on

    good luck op. :(:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    Cerocco wrote: »
    I'm bringing Ziggy back to the vets tomorrow cuz he is just not eating. I'll do whatever the Vet thinks is best. I'll let ye know how we get on

    All the very best. Enjoy your evening with him. Lots of cuddles.

    xxx


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 544 ✭✭✭Cerocco


    .So we went to the Vets this morn. Ziggy had a temp of 104 so he has been kept in for the weekend. The vet said he would see what was causing the temp before any decisions will be made. He is going to give Ziggy appetite stimulants to try to get him eating. Fingers crossed


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭kathleen37


    Oh fab, that's excellent. Hopefully he'll come round!!!

    Everything crossed!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 544 ✭✭✭Cerocco


    So Ziggy has been in the Vets since Saturday. The temp came down yesterday and vet said if it stayed down he could come home today. Just off the phone. Temp has spiked again and Vet said it's probably best to put him to sleep as the antibiotics aren't really doing much. I've to go up this afternoon to make the decision. Should I just bring him home and let him die peacefully here or just rip the bandage off and say goodbye today. I don't know


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    Why prolong the suffering for the poor creature?
    It think the kinder thing to do is PTS given that it is unlikely the situation will improve...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,611 ✭✭✭muddypaws


    Cerocco wrote: »
    So Ziggy has been in the Vets since Saturday. The temp came down yesterday and vet said if it stayed down he could come home today. Just off the phone. Temp has spiked again and Vet said it's probably best to put him to sleep as the antibiotics aren't really doing much. I've to go up this afternoon to make the decision. Should I just bring him home and let him die peacefully here or just rip the bandage off and say goodbye today. I don't know

    If you bring him home to die, I'm afraid it probably won't be peaceful.

    Is there some food that he really, really loves? when I've had to have dogs pts I've taken ham or sausage, and fed them while the vet injected them, so that it was as pleasant an experience for them as possible. They went to sleep eating lovely food with the person that loved them there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,175 ✭✭✭intheclouds


    Cerocco wrote: »
    So Ziggy has been in the Vets since Saturday. The temp came down yesterday and vet said if it stayed down he could come home today. Just off the phone. Temp has spiked again and Vet said it's probably best to put him to sleep as the antibiotics aren't really doing much. I've to go up this afternoon to make the decision. Should I just bring him home and let him die peacefully here or just rip the bandage off and say goodbye today. I don't know

    Say goodbye today at the vets.

    You would only be bringing him home for you, not for him.

    Go and be with him and let him go peacefully.

    Best of luck, so sorry he has to go.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 952 ✭✭✭Themadhouse


    I'm so sorry. :-( never an easy decision but let him go at the vets. It's the kindest act you can do for him now. Xx


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 801 ✭✭✭Mary63


    Why is Musketeer4 being called a troll,is he not entitled to post too.

    My friends baby was born twenty years ago with devastating health problems,she has never walked or talked and is totally mentally and physically incapacitated.

    I became pregnant a few months after this childs birth and while sitting in a waiting room I picked up a leaflet warning pregnant women against cat litter,it listed all the complications cat litter can cause to foetuses and it sounded like this is what happened to my friends baby.I thought back to visiting my friend when she was pregnant,each and every time the cat lay on the windowsill staring at us.I have often wondered did the litter cause the babys health defects,maybe not but anyone who has cats and is pregnant should be very careful.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,175 ✭✭✭intheclouds


    Mary63 wrote: »
    Why is Musketeer4 being called a troll,is he not entitled to post too.

    My friends baby was born twenty years ago with devastating health problems,she has never walked or talked and is totally mentally and physically incapacitated.

    I became pregnant a few months after this childs birth and while sitting in a waiting room I picked up a leaflet warning pregnant women against cat litter,it listed all the complications cat litter can cause to foetuses and it sounded like this is what happened to my friends baby.I thought back to visiting my friend when she was pregnant,each and every time the cat lay on the windowsill staring at us.I have often wondered did the litter cause the babys health defects,maybe not but anyone who has cats and is pregnant should be very careful.

    This sounds like something out of a ghost story.

    What about all the millions of babies that are born to cat owners who are perfectly healthy?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,081 ✭✭✭Iseedeadpixels


    Mary63 wrote: »
    Why is Musketeer4 being called a troll,is he not entitled to post too.

    My friends baby was born twenty years ago with devastating health problems,she has never walked or talked and is totally mentally and physically incapacitated.

    I became pregnant a few months after this childs birth and while sitting in a waiting room I picked up a leaflet warning pregnant women against cat litter,it listed all the complications cat litter can cause to foetuses and it sounded like this is what happened to my friends baby.I thought back to visiting my friend when she was pregnant,each and every time the cat lay on the windowsill staring at us.I have often wondered did the litter cause the babys health defects,maybe not but anyone who has cats and is pregnant should be very careful.

    I wonder can I blame my childs Autism on our 3 Cats.....You're just throwing out possibilities there with no evidence....and a Cats glare from a windowsill :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,003 ✭✭✭SillyMangoX


    Cerocco wrote: »
    So Ziggy has been in the Vets since Saturday. The temp came down yesterday and vet said if it stayed down he could come home today. Just off the phone. Temp has spiked again and Vet said it's probably best to put him to sleep as the antibiotics aren't really doing much. I've to go up this afternoon to make the decision. Should I just bring him home and let him die peacefully here or just rip the bandage off and say goodbye today. I don't know

    Ah god you poor thing, it's so hard. Having recently lost a cat myself, I can safely say that 99% of the time you would regret bringing him home. To let them go in the vets is so quick and so peaceful, they don't have any more suffering and just slip quietly to sleep. The night I decided that my guy would be going in the next day, it was hard, I wished I could have done it then as it was so hard to see him suffer even those couple of hours more. I miss him terribly and it still hurts but I've not regretted it either.
    Whatever you decide in the end, just know you've done all you can for the poor fella. I'll be thinking of ye


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,277 ✭✭✭aonb


    +1 for having them put your cat to sleep in the surgery.
    It will be less traumatic in general, for both of you
    The vet will give the cat an injection and it will all be over in seconds
    Bringing him home to die could go on for days.
    Dont inflict that on the poor cat, or on yourself. Watching him slowly waste away will be torture
    Its horrible, its sad, its heartbreaking, but its what you need to do to prevent the cats illness/pain/misery being prolonged.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 219 ✭✭Bunnyslippers


    Agree with all the above - best do it at the vets, he'll go peacefully and quickly, usually when they are that sick it takes seconds, bringing him home could take days for him to starve to death. I know it's hard, but it is the best we can do for our pets. Sending hugs your way!:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭Ms Doubtfire1


    Agree with all the above - best do it at the vets, he'll go peacefully and quickly, usually when they are that sick it takes seconds, bringing him home could take days for him to starve to death. I know it's hard, but it is the best we can do for our pets. Sending hugs your way!:)

    That depends. My vet comes to my home and does it at home.It's always very very peaceful.it also allows the other cats- cats do have best mates- to say goodbye. I might be considered mad but I I always noticed when one of my cats went that the cats he/she would hang out with most would come over, have a sniff, sometimes sit/lie with the departed cat for a while before going their own way. :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 801 ✭✭✭Mary63


    I know there is no evidence but the baby did suffer the exact symptoms that the HSE leaflet said could be caused by an infection which can be caused by cat litter.It is one of the few infections that can infect a baby in the womb,mostly babies are protected within the womb from viruses.

    I have always wondered is this what happened and did my friend ever consider it herself or would the hospital staff have mentioned this could have happened because of the cat.

    It is obviously something that can happen if the HSE were placing notices in ante natal clinics and I don't see why anyone should be calling another poster a troll for mentioning it.

    I have never read a HSE leaflet blaming autism on cats.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Mary63 wrote: »

    It is obviously something that can happen if the HSE were placing notices in ante natal clinics and I don't see why anyone should be calling another poster a troll for mentioning it.

    Mary63, can you please indicate where anyone called a poster a troll? Or report the post.
    Thanks,
    DBB


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 801 ✭✭✭Mary63


    don't feed the troll Kathleen....:D

    This is the quote and it refers to another posters post.

    I thought he gave very sensible advice in relation to cats and babies.

    I hate that "don't feed the Troll stuff",its so childish.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Mary63 wrote: »
    This is the quote and it refers to another posters post.

    I thought he gave very sensible advice in relation to cats and babies.

    I hate that "don't feed the Troll stuff",its so childish.

    Thank you Mary63, I hadn't noticed that.
    I must remind all users that "calling troll" is explicitly against the forum charter... If you think someone is trolling, please report it, do not take matters into your own hands.
    Similarly, if posters notice breaches of the rules, please report them rather than dealing with it yourself.
    Thanks,
    DBB


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