Fosters 8.....9....10......11

Last week, I went in to Best Friends and picked up a new litter of foster kittens.  As always, I wanted to make sure I got healthy kittens.  They  assured me they had 2 that were ready for me.  They were very busy so they asked me to go them directly from the kitten nursery.

So I headed down and was surprised to hear they wanted me to take a litter of 4 kittens....from the "Yellow" room which is where all the most sick kittens are.  They told me only 1 was sick but is better now and the other 3 kittens were fine.  Well the next morning, it was clear that was indeed not the case.  I was told to watch them for a day or so and give them baths.  So Philip and I bathed them and watched. And they got sicker.  So I took them into the vet.  They have the scary virus going around the nursery and adoption center called Calici virus.

The music genre group - Reggae, Hip Hop, Dub Step, and JC Chazes (he is from a different litter)

I am not happy at all.  The virus is very contagious.  And I already brought it in my house for 3 days before I knew it.  I do keep the kittens separate from my cats but this virus travels in the air and can live off a cat for over a week.  So it is very likely my cats have already been exposed.

My cats haven't been to the vet since they were kittens and they certainly aren't immunized.  So I took them to the vet next door to get their shots.  While the shots won't protect them fully it would help reduce the impact if they catch this virus.  And if I am going to keep exposing them to fosters directly or indirectly, I need to do what I can to protect them. They were less than happy.  In fact, it was so pathetic, I took a video.  See below....

Sissy being a sissy at the vet.  She hid her face in my neck the whole time and yowled.

I have an extensive cleaning procedures  for the fosters.  I put  on protective clothing and shoe covers.  I'm wearing gloves.  And frankly, I don't spend much time with them because I don't want to increase my exposure and risk that I will get my kitties sick.  The vet at Best Friends advised I DO NOT let them out in my room at all during their time with me which means I have to go into the bathroom and sit to spend any time with them.  Then the cleaning in the bathroom....wow.  I am questioning this litter and thinking this isn't the best foster experience and honestly I could take them back but I figure we are already exposed and I think my bathroom is better than living in a kennel for 4 weeks when they are ready to be neutered.  These guys are really cute but I will be glad when they are big enough to go back.  The really sad thing?  I finally got a white cat to foster.  And he is a sweetheart.  I would keep him in a heartbeat but he will always have the virus in his body and could break out at any time through his life.  I don't think I want to risk that.  Sad but true.

Kitten season is getting close to the end.  About another 4-6 weeks.  It won't be long before we are done until next spring.  I set a goal to foster at least 12 kittens.  These guys are 8, 9, 10, and 11.  I might not make 12....especially if I keep getting sick kittens.  Plus they stopped intake at the nursery and they aren't putting any kittens out for adoption until they can get this virus under control.  They think they are close which is good.

I must really love kitties.....