Thread: Calicivirus

It is a very difficult decision ... our 3 are from the same litter & our vet said wait until they are 6 months old at least - preferably longer - and try to do them all together. However Tess was done at 5.5 months as the boys were increasingly finding her trousers absolutely fascinating! Our vet was quite happy to do her and Tess recovered incredibly well. I was a fussing Mum when we collected her and all she wanted to do was play with her brothers - she even kept her dressing on until she went to have her stitches out, bless her

Finn & Marco were 'done' just shy of 7 months as they were getting very boisterous, and Marco in particular was wanting to go out more and seek a lady friend . Again Mum fussed and they were absolutely fine - playing the same evening. Finn calmed down within a couple of weeks whereas Marco took longer - in fact he still lives up to his name and is a real adventure seeker! We live in an extremely rural area and he loves exploring the small wooded area behind the house - usually bringing back little furry presents for Mum & Dad - something that Tigger taught him how to do!!

Anyway, they all calmed down and were more loving and cuddly within a short while, they've grown & matured well so we have no regrets that they were done when they were. As others say, IMHO I would be guided by your vet and your instincts - only you can see how they interact with each other and see any changes in their boy / girl behaviour.

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I will wait as long as possible for the spay/neuter - definitely not before 4 months and hopefully closer to 6. I'll have to keep a close eye on the two of them.....they are not left alone very often so we should be ok.

Hi, Calici is a shedding virus that is found on most cats and is usually stress activated in kittens by moving homes, vaccinations etc...extra vitamins can help their immune system to develop which are usually found in top of the range dry cat foods or as additional supplements...it can be a mild cold/flu or more serious in some cats. If they are eating, drinking playing etc, then that is a very good sign they will shake it off themselves. Sometimes a mild dose of broad spectrum antibiotics will be needed for a few days but your vet will tell you if they need it. When they are due their boosters don't worry, they can get it more than once in their life and it is usually only a mild sniffle the same as we get common colds. Ulcers in the mouth is common and helps to identify it easily, if they are there after about a week contact your vet again and let him know. URI are relatively common in pedigree breeds but their immune systems usually cope with it, so don't worry too much...remember, if they eat, drink and play then they are keeping well, if it's the opposite, then contact your vet immediately. Hope this helps a bit

I had Rasputin done about 5.5 months, he's not the manliest round the face but I'm not convinced leaving him longer would've been worth my stressing about the possibility of spraying or other manly activities!

Sorry to hear about your problems with your babies xx

When I got our two girls back from BSB Zech, both girls had calici, they had a 3 week course of Antibiotics, they also had other problems as well!! ( so extra precations ) they recovered and they have never looked back.. Fingers crossed, touch would etc etc, they have never been sick again... with ANYTHING!!

All my cats get L-Lycine, which I buy from the internet in their food everyday.. and this works a treat!

I am just getting my little girl tested for both herpes and calci. I thought once they had these viruses they had them for life. Do you mean when you say they recovered that they weren't shedding the virus? I'm worried that she has one of them and I've just put her on lysine, but am I worrying more than I need to? She is still eating and acting like a normal kitten. She is not ill with it, except for sneezing and a bit of eye discharge. I want to get another kitten soon but I'm not sure if any breeder will sell me anything knowing that I already have a cat with either virus.