We've done a scary thing. Pics too.

[debilorrah]

We lost three cats in 18 months to FIP. We were told not adopt any more cats for a year. Since the last cat died, we have become overrun with mice. And I mean BADLY!!! I sit here at night and can hear them in the cupboard, the oven, behind the coffee maker, in the desk drawers, inside the chair. The waste has become disgusting.

So. We checked with the vet because he said that the shelters here have a very high rate of FIP. What about private adoption? He said we have about a 80/20 chance of success, 80% being survival. We also learned that FIP is choosey. Not every cat exposed to it gets it, in fact about 20% do.

So, due to the mice, we bit the bullet and went and picked up these two. We were told they are 8 weeks old and small because mama was. No way in hell are these that old. I think mama ran off and he didn't know WHAT to do.

Look at this smile

They are semi playful, ate well and used the litter box. But they got scared in the bathroom and Micro had to go show them the way back to the living room.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

"semi playful, ate well and used the litter box." Sounds good so far!
Good luck with those cuties
I would have tried for something a bit older with hopefully more mousesavvy, but you are in a bad situation there with FIP. Hope all goes well!

 

[debilorrah]

they'reHISchickens :

"semi playful, ate well and used the litter box." Sounds good so far!
Good luck with those cuties
I would have tried for something a bit older with hopefully more mousesavvy, but you are in a bad situation there with FIP. Hope all goes well!

We wanted something a bit older, but not much. However, upon seeing these guys, we knew if we didn't take them they may not have a chance. He was CLUELESS! I did tell him he needed to start feeding them and offering water. Ugh.​

 

[watchdogps]

I sure hope yours are okay, but if there is a problem again, I would def go for older, like 6 mos+. FIP is a mutation of the corona virus, and the corona virus is almost exclusively a problem of animals under 16 weeks old. If you get older than that, they should be past the stage that they would get it. Now, adults cats can die of it too, but thats because they got the mutated virus and it laid dormant for a while. However, they wont pick it up as adults. These kittens are at high risk because you have the strain of virus that mutated in your home.
Some good info:
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
That wouldn't really make a difference. Two of the three we lost were over 6 months when we adopted them. It's one of those thing you just never know. I have had cats all my life and this is the first time I have ever even heard of that horrid disease.

 

[watchdogps]

Curious, how did they determine it was FIP? There isnt a test per se. Did they get the horrible potbellies?

 

[gritsar]

It is possible to adopt kittens or cats that already have a presumptive diagnosis of FIP or a diagnosis of feline leukemia or feline coronavirus; or at least it was back in my home state of NC. That way you are not putting otherwise healthy kittens and cats at risk.

When we have a problem with field mice, only in the wintertime when they come in seeking warmth, we just set mouse traps. Goodness knows I can't depend on my two cats to do the job (too lazy). Not all cats are good mousers.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Apparently I have Enstein mice. They lick the peanut butter off the traps. I have been disgusted lately with them. I can wipe the counters 4-5 times a day and the rag is FULL of waste each time. Just disgusting.

With Ken out of work right now, we have spent money we don't really have trying to get rid of the mice. So we went this route, even though I am going to paranoid for a year now. I only had one cat the would just look at mice instead of catch them. Hopefully neither one of these is Jezebel round 2.

 

[EmtheFishLady]

Quote:
Apparently I have Enstein mice. They lick the peanut butter off the traps. I have been disgusted lately with them. I can wipe the counters 4-5 times a day and the rag is FULL of waste each time. Just disgusting.

With Ken out of work right now, we have spent money we don't really have trying to get rid of the mice. So we went this route, even though I am going to paranoid for a year now. I only had one cat the would just look at mice instead of catch them. Hopefully neither one of these is Jezebel round 2.

Seems to me that traps and poison would be cheaper than vet bills for two cats...but that's just me. I know vet bills for my animals are more than I spend on my doctors visits...

Actually, thinking about it...even an exterminator would be cheaper I'd think...though I've never had a mouse problem...thus never had to price one.

 

[ourlittleflock]

I wish you the best with your situation. Is there not away to figure out where they are coming in from? Hope one of your new precious kittens can help you out Our in house cat now would just run and hide and our former Tom outside only hunted moles. I didn't believe I have ever had a mice catching rat

I do wish you the best and hope your kittens turn out healthy.