Calicivirus RFI

[Janner]

Our cat has picked up a throat infection - very like quinsy throat - for which she is having antibiotics.
But the Vet says she has an underlying Calicivirus - which is likely to flare up any time she is under stress - he recommends vaccination when she is strong again!
But from what little info I can get the vaccine route is very hit and miss and doesn't make aniimals proof against the many forms of this virus.
If anyone has any information on this I would be glad to read it
Thank You
Janner

[bifrost99]

I'm not an expert in cats, but from what you've written I wonder why vaccination would be recommended if the cat already has the "underlying calicivirus"? If the cat already has it, then there's no need to give it in the form of a vaccine. (And what test was done to lead to the conclusion that the cat already has calicivirus?)

Calicivirus is one of several organisms involved in feline respiratory disease complex:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/121604.htm

Gerry

Originally Posted by Janner

Our cat has picked up a throat infection - very like quinsy throat - for which she is having antibiotics.
But the Vet says she has an underlying Calicivirus - which is likely to flare up any time she is under stress - he recommends vaccination when she is strong again!
But from what little info I can get the vaccine route is very hit and miss and doesn't make aniimals proof against the many forms of this virus.
If anyone has any information on this I would be glad to read it
Thank You
Janner

[Janner]

Thanks Gerry - no test - no lab work done - just the vet's experience - we had an old cat in the house that got a lung infection - ended up we had to put him down, last week - by the weekend our 2 yr old cat had bad cough - more like the sound when they can't get a fur ball up - but she had been drinking water from the same bowl as the other!!
But as I say - this conclusion was reached by sight alone!! - which is a neat trick when you think about it!!
Janner

Originally Posted by bifrost99

I'm not an expert in cats, but from what you've written I wonder why vaccination would be recommended if the cat already has the "underlying calicivirus"? If the cat already has it, then there's no need to give it in the form of a vaccine. (And what test was done to lead to the conclusion that the cat already has calicivirus?)

Calicivirus is one of several organisms involved in feline respiratory disease complex:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/121604.htm

Gerry

[bifrost99]

Originally Posted by Janner

- no test - no lab work done - just the vet's experience - we had an old cat in the house that got a lung infection - ended up we had to put him down
...
But as I say - this conclusion was reached by sight alone!! - which is a neat trick when you think about it!!

Well, really good doctors can reach that stage, when experience can really give them a very sharp edge. I'm a bit at that stage, too, when it comes to dogs. So I'm not questioning the diagnosis of your veterinarian. (In fact, I would have greater doubts on the ability of a long-time practitioner who still too quickly jumps into the use of the "crutches" of "routine" multiple lab work-ups.)

What I question, though, is why vaccination would be recommended if the cat already has the disease. I think I'll study some more.

Gerry