Get a flat screen, save a kitten???

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Lurkster - 05 Jan 2006 20:21 GMT

My wife & I have a kitten that acts like it's about to fold up. Weak,
very little appetite, lethargic, stunted growth when compared to her
siblings. Barely walks. The vet really couldn't do much in the way
of diagnosis without blood tests, etc. Heres the fun part- This
kitten made a habit, for a while of sleeping on top of the comuter
monitor, assumably for the warmth. Normally, a person wouldn't think
too much about that, but, we have had (2) kittens in the past who have
taken to sleeping on (1) a power supply for a laptop, and (2) a heating
pad (set on low). Both of them developed similar symptoms to this one.
(one died). After 3 such common occurances, we are becoming
convinced that either the heat or some form of electromagnetic
radiation may be to blame. The vets have all poo-poo'd this
immediately. Looking at other discussion groups, I found one post that
stated they had heard that cats would do that as a symptom of feline
leukemia. I'm thinking not. Our other 10 cats are healthy. I'm
curious as to whether the heat may have induced some kind of feline
heat stroke. Does anyone else have any ideas, or have had any
experience with kittens who nap on electronic/electrical apparati and
became ill?
Thanks

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DW - 05 Jan 2006 22:38 GMT

> I'm
> curious as to whether the heat may have induced some kind of feline
> heat stroke. Does anyone else have any ideas, or have had any
> experience with kittens who nap on electronic/electrical apparati and
> became ill?

I don't think so. I've had cats who slept on 1. heat registers
2. radiators. and all turned out fine. I don't let them stay one top
of electric/electronic devices becuase they will block ventilation and
the result could be a fried TV/monitor/etc.

Of course I have several air conditioners and when it is 100+ degrees F
and humid
as all heck my cats will bake in the hotest room in the house (in the
hot sun no less) rather than come into one of the airconditioned rooms.

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~*Connie*~ - 06 Jan 2006 00:13 GMT

You say you have 10 cats.. so I have to bring up the possibility of FIP.
FIP is a mutation of the corona virus, which is very common in cats, the
more cats, the more chance you have that one would mutate. From what I have
read it also depends on the genetics of the cat as well. A lot of my
reading says it is not contagious, but they thought it was previously, so
you'll find a lot of info that says it is (due to the genetic factor and cat
breeders who would have whole catteries wiped out by it - most likely)

FIP is impossible to diagnose - especially the dry form. Only way to know
for certain is to do a necropsy. A lot of vets will do a titer test, but the
test simply tests for the corona virus, which most cats have. Once they
have FIP, it is fatal, so I hope and pray I am wrong. (I lost a kitten to
FIP http://webwmn.com/kittyblog/kodi.html )

> My wife & I have a kitten that acts like it's about to fold up. Weak,
> very little appetite, lethargic, stunted growth when compared to her
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> became ill?
> Thanks

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