Trigger Warning – Sad news. ðª
Sweetest spice sisters, Cinnamon and Nutmeg, tested positive for both FIV and FeLV on Monday. â¤ï¸âð©¹
FIV – Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
FeLV – Feline Leukemia Virus
A double whammy of two of the worst viruses cats can be infected with. â ï¸
A diagnoses like this, especially at such a young age, usually means a shorter lifespan, with potentially more health complications.
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Photo descriptions –
* Cinnamon – sitting up and is still with us.
* Nutmeg – having a medicated nap and is now no longer with us.
* ‘SNAP Tests’ for FIV and FeLV.
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These virsues are being spread within the WA community cats.
Both suburban and rural. ð§
Some areas, like the town of Kulin, have a higher incidence due to inbreeding, unsterilised roaming cats (both owned and unowned) and not enough people to assist with humane and effective population control.
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Want to assist? ð
Please get in touch for ways that you can make a real difference. ð
And share Nutmeg’s story. ð
Want to know more about the Spice Sisters?
Read it here… ⤵ï¸
Nutmeg’s health had fluctuated a little since they came into care in March.
But thankfully she had many more good days than bad.
Playing (a lot), eating (a lot) and chilling (after all the playing and eating) with her sister. ð
She never did manage to be totally free of eye and nasal discharge though.
Or to have as much energy as her sister (she had separated snoozes as she couldn’t keep up with Cinni’s playful antics). ð¥±
And when she began to decline in health over the weekend, we suspected there was a serious underlying cause for her medical issues.
By Monday it was evident that despite drinking plenty of healthy broth, Nutmeg was dehydrated, as her kidneys were failing. ð¥º
Although she was medically supported and feeling quite comfortable, the time had come for us to say farewell.
Nutmeg passed peacefully, with her sister close by and all our love surrounding her.
That glittering rainbow bridge was the last gift we were able to give. ð½
Thank you once again to Heartlands Veterinary Hospitals York for the most amazing blend of professionalism and compassion.
Heartlands is well named. ð
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Cinnamon has returned home with us to live as many more good days as she is able.
We don’t know how many that will be.
But she has always been more healthy than her sister, so we are hopeful to enjoy her company for at least a little while longer.
She hasn’t seemed sad this week, for which we are very grateful.
She’s living in the moment and literally playing up a storm every day. ð¤
I gave her a new little cosy bed. To sleep in of course.
But Cinni had other ideas…
Dragging it around and bunny kicking the daylights out of it. ð
With her short tail, dilute colouring and abundant energy, she’s a daily delight! ð¤
And Paprika, the third spice sister?
She tested negative to both virises during routine vet work weeks ago. ð¤·
She has been kept separate from her sisters since coming in to care, as she had a very different temperament and health condition on intake.
But we will be re-testing her in the future to be sure.
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This was a hard post to write. âï¸
It’s taken me a long time.
If you’ve read this far and have questions, please feel free to pop them in the comments.
As a community, we need to be talking about these issues.
With respect and fortitude. Together. ð«¶
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