[b]Has anyone heard of Calicivirus being more common in hybrid cats and Bengal cats? [/b]I have a small Bengal cattery. Before breeding, I used to raise orphaned kittens, then either find them homes or give them to the local no-kill SPCA. I worked at a vet clinic and word soon spread that I raise orphaned kittens. Now, I am a vet tech. Then, about 2 1/2 years ago, I had gotten a pair of kittens that were really sick. I finally got them over it and found them new homes. I decided not to do this anymore, because I am putting my pets at risk. After that, I had my first litter of Bengals born. Two days prior, the Queen started sneezing for a couple days. When the kittens were about two weeks old, three of the four stopped eating and had trouble maintaining their temperature. I bottle fed them, kept them in an incubator, and did everything I could for them. However, they died. I kept the one that survived - her name is "Zada", which means "fortunate one". Almost a year ago, I sold one of my older kittens, "Kiana" from my second litter to a friend at a discount. This kitten had always had bouts of upper respiratory infections. Some of her vaccination boosters sometimes had to be held off a little longer until she got better. The other two in the litter seemed better. The one, "Bubba", I ended up keeping to show had never been sick. The other one, "Tucker", did start to have off and on illnesses when he got a little older. Then, suddenly one day last spring he stopped eating and drinking, and the next morning he was dead. Around that same time, two 9 month old kitten Bengal mix kittens I had from an accidental breeding when my female had gotten out, had the same thing happen to them. Anyway, recently "Kiana's" vet ran some tests to see why see was always getting sick and also because her face suddenly swelled up. He found the Calicivirus in her nasal discharge. He said that Bengals and hybrid cats are susceptible to it. I did some research and found out that it can also affect the muscular skeletal system, which could explain why "Zada" will have occasionally unexplained lameness in her front leg joints. Now, I wonder if this is what I've been fighting all along. All my older cats have been fine, I'm assuming because they have had many years of vaccinations, and therefore better immunity. All the cats affected have been young Bengals. Is there a scientific connection here? Are they really more susceptible? :?:

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Best Wishes,
Maddy

I'm so sorry you have had such a hard and sad time

I really wish you well for the future and better luck!

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Best Wishes,
Maddy

hi, what a difficult time you've had so far

i too would be very wary of continuing breeding with the lines if there is risk of you passing on inherited illnesses. at least you are a vet tech, so you have the perfect opportunity to get to the bottom of it once & for all & hopefully find out what is going wrong & whether or not it is being passed on & needs to be stopped.

i hope you get it sorted & you don't have to witness any more suffering or feeling guilty.

my thoughts are with you.

I just found out that there is a new mutation of the Calicivirus. This is what some vets are vaccinating againest. It is called Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus (VS-FCV). I think this is what I have. It can be FATAL within 24-48 hours after exposure! Look it up to get more information. EVERYONE BEWARE!!!