These are just some of the cats that live in Sandy's Sanctuary. Recently we took in a pregnant mother cat who gave birth to six kittens. Two of the kittens have died in the last two weeks of Feline Intestinal Peritonitis (FIP) which is a mutation of Feline Coronavirus. Since then all of the remaining kittens have been confirmed to have coronavirus and need blood tests and treatment to exclude the possibility that they too have the mutated version FIP.
In addition, their mother had already been neutered and set loose in the wider colony. She seemed well at the time but many now be spreading Coronavirus amongst the wider community. She needs to be caught, isolated and tested. Whether she is a carrier or a sufferer. If she is a sufferer she also needs treating.
The wet form FIP causes fluid to build up in the body of the cat. It can eventually suppress breathing and the kills the cat in a particularly nasty way. This why we need to test all the cats in that zone of the sanctuary.
The second virus that has been discovered is Haemobartonella which is caused by a parasite in the blood that causes anaemia, jaundice and listlessness. Since testing the cats for FIP and Haemobartonella requires a full blood test it makes sense to look for both at the same time.
There are 40 cats that need testing in this zone of the sanctuary. We estimate that it would cost €60 per cat to do the tests. If treatment is needed then we will extend the appeal. Will you help us please?
