Yes, the kittens can get the "respiratory illness," but they can be treated and survive. My 2 year old tabby came to me as a kitten with a history of feline herpes. The shelter did not tell me about this. They simply said she had been fostered for a "cold." Once I read her file (at home) I realized she really had herpes. Bad news! My older cat got it, and suffered greatly. It was very expensive, but he recovered. Once a cat gets it, they carry it for life. They can be fine, but, even when they are asymptomatic, can give it to other cats who have not been vaccinated or had the disease.
Both of my cats are wonderful. They do not have any symptoms. I keep them inside so they will never expose another cat, though. The young one does have scar tissue in her nasolacrimal duct, so her eye "waters" occasionally (usually when I am stirring up dust.) She is living a happy, healthy life. If you want to deal with kittens with this disease, it is possible. Sometimes they will need a dietary supplement. Mine do not.
Both of my cats are wonderful. They do not have any symptoms. I keep them inside so they will never expose another cat, though. The young one does have scar tissue in her nasolacrimal duct, so her eye "waters" occasionally (usually when I am stirring up dust.) She is living a happy, healthy life. If you want to deal with kittens with this disease, it is possible. Sometimes they will need a dietary supplement. Mine do not.
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