Hi all,

Just want to get an idea of what you think and some advice on what to do.

I have found a kitty that I was going to pick up a few days ago but I found out the night before that he was being treated for an eye issue, might be conjunctivitis after speaking to the vet treating the issue, the vet said the kitten had cold like symptoms. So I suspect FHV-1 which would mean it is possible the kitty could get cat flu.
The kitty is on antibiotics and the next vet appointment is in a week.
From what I have been reading there is no test for FHV-1 useless they have the symptoms.

I feel bad if I don't take the kitty because of this as the kitty has grown on me but I am after a "healthy one" as I work full time and if it gets stressed because of this and outbreaks are constant it could be an issue.

How many of you have knowingly bought a kitten with this issue or have discovered it has it after you brought it home? Is it really that bad?
I really am stumped on what to do. I could pass and get another one but there are no guarantees as I heard it affects like 90% of cats.

I don't mean to be harsh in anyway so my apologies if it comes across like this, I am just trying to get some help and advice.

Thanks

It's a tough call, but I'd be wanting a healthy kitten for my money. If your breeder is ethical they wouldn't be wanting to sell you a kitten that is ill and really, as a consumer (so to speak) you are entitled to receive what you pay for.

Good luck with whatever you choose, it's a hard decision to have to make.

Firstly, the breeder is being ethical and responsible by keeping you informed, by treating the kitten, allowing you to contact their vet and by not letting the kitten go home until it is healthy.

Secondly, cats can unfortunately be a bit prone to URI (rather more so than dogs), and both pet owners and breeders need to be a bit pragmatic about that and deal with it if it happens. My vet says the same thing.
It is also winter, and cold can be a stressor, especially for baby kittens, just as in humans.
You yourself certainly cannot presume or suspect feline herpes virus, or any other pathogen, without proper testing. It also isn't really fair on the breeder to presume, and especially not on a public forum, to be frank.
This is a baby kitten with an immature immune system.
Just like human babies, kittens can have health setbacks, including URI, which require treatment.
It happens, and isn't necessarily anyone's fault, nor does it always necesarily mean future issues or poor health.
The somewhat scaremongering term "cat flu", is a generalised umbrella term for respiratory infections, with or without conjunctivitis. I wish vets and breeders would not use it and that they would be rather more specific.
Respiratory infections can range in degree from being very minor or mild through to severe.
The pathogen(s) responsible can be bacterial, viral or, rarely, fungal. Sometimes a secondary, bacterial infection develops. Often treatment, when given early, is very successful, particularly if the infection is bacterial, and many cats will not necessarily develop carrier status. Flare ups are not always a given, but may occasionally occur in carrier cats who don't fully clear the pathogen from their system.

I would suggest being guided by the breeder as to the kitten's progress and recovery, and it is of course up to you whether or not to buy the kitten.
Whilst your concerns are understandable, a URI and conjunctivitis, which is being treated, in an otherwise normal, healthy kitten, is not necessarily a reason to be worried about going ahead with the purchase. Cats are living creatures and are not immune to illnesses...just like humans.

I hope the kitten is fully recovered soon.

I agree with what Lotus has said, and I also admire the breeder for being honest with you :)

There are also, no guarantees that any kitten you get that appears healthy at that time, will be healthy still in a week... a month... or a year!

Just like us, they are prone to illness and complications that may not be anyones 'doing or fault' just one of those things.

I never said it is 100% FHV1 i just suspect it and it is reasonable to conclude it is as the symptoms point to it.
I understand your concern on posting this on a public forum but as i am all too aware of the sensitivity of the issue i have not posted any details of the breeder and nor do i have any concerns over the breeder.
I am just trying to get opinions on what other people would do to help me decide.



I have read so much on the virus over the last few days and think i have a good idea on what to expect.
But you would think buying a purebred from a breeder that you are buying a cat without the virus? It is a lot of money and you would have to understand my concerns and hence this thread.



I know it is not necessarily a concern, but it still is becasue no one knows how the kitten/cat will turn out in regards to constant outbreaks of the symptoms. And again buying a purebred you should not expect this (In my opinion).



Me too.

Again i just want to say thanks on your reply Lotus. I know it is a touchy subject and please don't get annoyed by my comments if you don't feel the same way.

Most likely i will be going ahead with the purchase becasue as you said there are no guarantees that other kittens will not have the same symptoms and even if it does have FHV1 (not saying it does) then the virus could lay dorment for the life of the cat.
So yes i do have some thinking to do and more help/advice/comments would be great.

Thanks

It actually is not reasonable to conclude it is feline herpes virus without proper pathology to accurately diagnose it. You cannot possibly know what it is from a few symptoms.
Those symptoms could and do point to several different potential pathogens, both viral and bacterial. But without pathology, nobody can conclude or diagnose which pathogen. That includes vets.
Purebred cats from a breeder are no more immune to illness or something potentially going wrong than any other cat, no matter how much care breeders take....and we do our utmost to produce healthy, happy kittens. However things can sometimes go wrong, just as in humans, and that is not necessarily anyone's fault.
You are buying a living animal.
My earlier reply re URI is fairly explanatory.
You have posted quite a lot about the kitten on three different forums recently, this one, Cat World and Cat Forums (where the symptoms are described in more detail and do appear fairly minor and properly treated by a vet, plus you say you have visited and seen the kitten since this happened and it is otherwise seems healthy). I just hope the breeder is not a member of any of these forums, hence my earlier comment. Inevitably breeders do end up being identified quite easily, especially after purchase. I certainly would not appreciate a kitten buyer of mine posting like this on a public forum and would prefer a buyer who has such doubts went elsewhere, to be frank.

Posting as a longtime, experienced breeder here.

Another who agrees

Good luck with your decision, I've not had this happen before but commend the breeder for being upfront with you

Ditto what lotus and others have said - what you are expecting if a purebred - that it never gets sick - is totally unrealistic. Any car can be a carrier of diseases that we can't vaccinate against and any cat under stress (including going to a new home) may exhibit symptoms. Agree also with lotus that vets are way too quick to call all sniffles cat flu and unexplained deaths as FIP plussi
E vets do have purebred paranoia and believe they are less healthy than x Breda. Take it up with your breeder if you feel uneasy then tell her as I am sure she would rather refund than have hernamecontinued tone dragged through this