Wednesday, April 5, 2017

OH, What a Day That Was

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As I reported on Monday morning, poops had firmed up, and everyone was gaining weight and looking good.  The Huddlestons were finally ready to be released from their extra-long quarantine period and mingle with the big cats.

So, Monday evening, I opened the door to the kitten room, and the kittens tiptoed out into the world.

There was a little huffing and puffing when they met Wylla, who was waiting for them on the living room rug, but soon, they were prancing and pouncing and running all over the place.

They had a blast, and it sure was great finally seeing them out and about! They were so ready --- the kitten room was starting to get a little too small for them.

The next day, once everyone had their breakfast and boxes were scooped, I sat down to check to check emails and get started on yesterday's post. First in my box was a message from the Foster Department telling me that Doc had some concerns about my kittens and he wanted to see them sooner, rather than waiting for our appointment on Friday.

This message had me worried, no panicked, so I picked up the kittens, put them back in their room, and grabbed the phone and gave the shelter a call.

Sarah, who is head of the Foster Department, shared the results of Beau's latest fecal examine -- he had tested positive for Panleukopenia. Doc wanted me to bring everyone in to be tested, and Beau, to be tested again.

If you've been following the blog since Wylla's early days, you'll most likely remember that Panleuk was the virus that took her brother's life, so hearing this news was a punch to my gut.

There was a chance that Beau's test was a false positive, and of course, that's what we were hoping for.

But there was also a chance that Beau did have it, and we may have gotten him through it by treating his symptoms -- dehydration, diarrhea, and vomiting.  And even though he and his siblings are hearty, solid, and healthy now, it meant Panleuk could have entered our home again.  When this happened before, it meant weeks of deep cleaning and bleaching to get rid of the virus from every porous surface in the kitten room, and a year off of fostering to play things safe for future litters.

Thankfully there was no need to be concerned about Wylla and Charlene with Panleuk --- they are fully vaccinated, so they weren't at risk.  

We waited, and I worried and mopped the living room and dining room floors until it was time to leave for the shelter at 1:15.

Doc did blood draws and a fecal swab, and all of the kittens' results were negative this time. Thank God, Beau and the others did NOT have Panleuk. Their recent vaccines had caused the false positive results in the first test.


It was a day lost to worrying, but I'm so grateful that in the end, all was well. The Huddlestons are healthy.


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36 comments:

  1. I was worrying for you all a little bit yesterday. Glad to hear everyone is healthy and doing well.

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  2. Glad to hear all the Huddlestons are doing well. Have they had their first Beanbath yet?

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  3. Oh Laurie that must have been so scary! I'm so glad it turned out okay in the end.

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  4. Wow. What a worrisome day and I am so glad everything turned out okay. I hate panleukopenia as much as I hate feleuk - i.e. with the heat of a thousand white suns. Love the pictures of happy, HEALTHY kittens!

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  5. Wow. Everything "went sideways" indeed! It was a a relief to read that you didn't have to feel guilty about possibly exposing Wylla and Charlene (hurrah for vax!), and a BIG relief that the kittens all tested negative.

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  6. Whew! That's great news.
    I love how Wylla just sits there waiting for the kittens to come to her when they're ready. In a few days I bet they'll be asking for baths and attention from her and Charlene.

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  7. Oh goodness, I know that day took 10 years off your life. Smooches to all the kitties!

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  8. So happy you got good news from the doc. Let the kitten school begin.

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  9. no vaccine is 100% effective. just because they have been vaccinated does not mean they are not at risk. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2143&aid=963

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    1. Nothing is 100%, but the feline panleukopenia vaccine is considered to be extremely effective -- especially in healthy, well-cared for cats like Charlene and Wylla. The risk, at best, is miniscule.

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    2. Confirm Jenn's statement. -Darin

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  10. I know that utter panic mode all so well. Congrats on the false alarm. I do adore when kittens do the side-wider with the full bottle brush tail as if Wylla would hurt them!

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  11. Phew!!!!

    My heart just flooded with adrenaline! And then happiness.
    Yay for Healthy Huddlestons! May the kittengarten begin!

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  12. There's something about the idea of Wylla as the "big scary kitty" after her own kittenhood health issues that just makes me smile.

    And on the topic of health issues, I am tremendously relieved for all involved that yesterday's scare was just that. I would have been beyond panicked, but I am thrilled it was a false alarm.

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  13. That caused temporary heart stoppage - had to skip to the end quickly! So glad everything is well -- they are too cute for words! Take care of yourself now - at least you have clean floors out of it!

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  14. I am also glad for you Laurie! Thank you for taking such good care of the kitties!

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  15. Whew, I was worried just reading about the progression events. What a stressful event it must have been to experience in real time. Glad to learn that there was a false positive and all is well with Beau and the others.

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  16. Thank God everyone is healthy! Huge sigh of relief here. So happy the worst you'll have to worry about is Bean trying to get to kitten kibble and the bittersweetness that comes when they graduate to their furever homes.

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  17. Yikes! So glad everything is ok!

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  18. Yay! I fostered kittens,wjo were exposed to pamleuk and I lost 50%. That's when I quit fostering. Mew jouse isnt set up for it. :(

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  19. What everyone else said: So glad to hear it was a false alarm!

    Hugs to all of you and a gentle reminder to Bean that kitten food is NOT on her diet (as if that will stop her from eating it).

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  20. I'm so glad to hear that the test was negative. We lost our sweet black kitty to that last year and it still hurts. He was vaccinated when he was neutered but they didn't mention that a booster was needed. I won't be going back to that vet again! The two we have now have been fully tested and vaccinated and they are indoors only, and sweet, healthy kitties. I still miss my Sheldon, though.

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  21. Gosh, Laurie- you had me in tears.Seriously- for just a second, I was so spontaneously sad and worried- for the kittens and for YOU. Thank goodness you got to the good news. Deep breaths.

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  22. So glad everything turned out alright. Completely unrelated, I love how Wylla is just sprawled there watching the kittens. You can almost hear her thinking "That's okay little Beau Huddleston, you can play hard to get all you want, but in the end you will be mine."

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  23. Wonderful news! You are doing great Beau, and you have a great kitten Mom! :-)

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  24. Yikes, don't blame you for being worried - thank heaven all is well.. :-)

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  25. Wow!! SO glad the news was good after all for Beau and all of the Huddlestons. Scary!

    Oh, dear Filbert. I shed some tears in memory of him, again... that story gets me every time. But so happy his sisters were ok, of course.

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  26. I'm so relieved to hear the kitties got good news on their retesting. With so many terrible events happening far and wide, it lifted my heart to hear of quick action and positive results for this batch of cuties!

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  27. You had me on the edge of my seat! So glad the kitties are okay.

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  28. That's the best news I've heard all day. So glad everyone is safe and healthy

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  29. oh, Laurie. Heartstopping worry. We join you in giving thanks for the health of all your charges.

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  30. Oh Thank the Gods! That kind of worrying about furbabies is a feeling I can live without! This batch sure is making you work overtime! But what wouldn't you do for such adorable fuzzballs...♥♥♥

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