Cats Action Team

07/10/2025

Celebration of life Saturday at 11 (Central) Livestream on multiple platforms.
She was an inspiration and we wish rescue work didn't attract toxic mean-spirited people right there with the good ones ... But it does. Some hearts are only one more let down away from a dangerous place. Try not to be that let-down.

Mikayla Raines, the force behind the Minnesota-based Save A Fox rescue who found fame on YouTube for her devotion to helping animals, has died by su***de at 29, according to her husband.

07/08/2025

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11672453/

07/04/2025

https://youtu.be/Fp--19SZ-bw?si=HPksyCSJMYOt9KDc

If you wish to earn continuing education credit, please watch this video on Maddie's University: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/behind-the-bark-...

06/04/2025

PSA continued: 🛑 Stop and Read please.

VS-FCV is spreading across the state

🔬 What Is It?

VS-FCV is a mutated, hyper-aggressive form of feline calicivirus. Unlike the typical respiratory strain, VS-FCV causes multi-systemic infection, attacking not only the mouth and respiratory tract but also skin, blood vessels, liver, and internal organs.

🦠 How It Works in the Body — Step by Step

1. Entry and Incubation (1–5 days)

The virus enters through the mouth, nose, or eyes, typically via contact with infected saliva, nasal secretions, or contaminated surfaces.

It starts replicating in the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and mouth.

2. Initial Symptoms

Fever, often spiking over 105°F (40.5°C)

Lethargy, decreased appetite

Oral ulcers and severe gingivitis

These are similar to standard calicivirus, but rapid progression and intensity are warning signs.

3. Systemic Spread

The mutation allows the virus to escape the respiratory tract and enter the bloodstream. Once systemic, it causes:

🔴 Vasculitis (Blood Vessel Inflammation)

Blood vessels become leaky, leading to:

Facial and limb swelling (edema)

Skin ulcers, particularly around the eyes, nose, and paws

Petechiae or bruising

💛 Liver and Organ Damage

Virus attacks liver cells, causing jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes).

Other organs may suffer from reduced blood flow and inflammation.

🧬 Coagulation Problems

Some cats develop disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) — a catastrophic clotting disorder leading to both blood clots and uncontrollable bleeding.

🧠 Neurological Involvement?

Rare, but some severe systemic cases may develop neurological signs (e.g., tremors or ataxia), particularly if organs are shutting down.

⏳ Timeline

Cats can go from healthy to critical in 24–72 hours.

Death can occur within a week if untreated.

Survivors often need weeks of intensive care.

🧼 Why It's So Contagious and Deadly

VS-FCV is shed in massive amounts through saliva, tears, urine, and f***s.

It can live for weeks on surfaces in cool, moist environments.

Recently vaccinated cats can be more severely affected due to immune overreaction (this is rare but documented in outbreaks).

🐾 Summary of Effects by System

System Damage

Respiratory Sneezing, congestion, nasal discharge
Oral/Mucosal Painful ulcers, drooling, loss of appetite
Skin Swelling, sores, crusts, sloughing
Immune/Vascular Fever, edema, bleeding, DIC
Liver Jaundice, vomiting, lethargy
Systemic Sepsis, shock, multi-organ failure.

Treating virulent systemic calicivirus (VS-FCV)—a severe mutation of feline calicivirus (FCV) is complex and urgent. It’s much more aggressive than typical FCV and can be deadly, especially in adult cats. Here's the best treatment approach currently available, based on veterinary consensus and recent case reports:

🏥 Immediate Medical Actions

Hospitalization is often necessary, especially for dehydration, fever, or systemic involvement. Treatment is supportive, meaning it's focused on managing symptoms and preventing complications.

💊 Supportive Treatment Protocol

1. Fluids

IV fluids for dehydration and shock.

Electrolyte correction as needed.

2. Pain Control

Buprenorphine is commonly used.

Gabapentin may be added for oral ulcers and generalized pain.

3. Fever Management

Anti-inflammatory drugs like meloxicam (only if kidney function is normal).

Fever often exceeds 105°F.

4. Antibiotics

Broad-spectrum antibiotics like clindamycin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, or doxycycline to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections.

5. Nutritional Support

Appetite stimulants like mirtazapine or capromorelin (Entyce).

Feeding tube if the cat refuses food for >48 hours.

Soft food, warmed up, can help with painful mouths.

6. Immune Modulators / Antivirals (Off-label)

Interferon omega (Virbagen Omega) in some countries (not available in the U.S.).

GS-441524 (used for FIP) is being explored in rescue communities, though no peer-reviewed data confirms its efficacy for VS-FCV.

Lysine has limited to no proven benefit for FCV and is not generally recommended.

⚠️ Signs That Worsen Prognosis

Facial or limb edema

Jaundice or icterus

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

Multi-organ failure

Cats who were vaccinated recently are often more severely affected—possibly due to immune system priming.

🧼 Decontamination

Bleach solution (1:32) is effective against calicivirus.

Quarantine for 30 days minimum after resolution of symptoms.

Clean all surfaces, bedding, food bowls, and litter boxes.

🔁 Outcome

Mortality rates for VS-FCV can reach 60% or higher, especially in adults.

Kittens sometimes survive better than adults.

Survivors may shed the virus for months and must be isolated from vulnerable cats.

06/01/2025

🚨 PSA for Arizona Cat Owners, Rescuers & Shelters 🚨
There is a concerning rise in virulent strain calicivirus (VS-FCV) being seen across Arizona, especially among rescued cats and kittens.

🦠 WHAT IS IT?
This is a highly contagious and aggressive strain of feline calicivirus. Unlike the more common mild form, this one can cause severe illness and even death, especially in kittens, immunocompromised cats, or those already fighting other infections.

🔍 SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR:

High fevers that don’t respond to meds

Facial and limb swelling

Ulcerations in the mouth or on the skin

Drooling, severe oral pain

Difficulty breathing

Limping or joint pain

Sudden onset of severe lethargy

Skin sloughing (peeling) in extreme cases

Sometimes rapid decline within 24–72 hours

📦 HOW IT SPREADS:

Direct contact with infected cats

Shared food bowls, bedding, litter boxes

Human clothing, hands, shoes

Shelter/rescue environments and foster homes

Survives on surfaces for 7–14 days

🧼 HOW TO DECONTAMINATE:

Bleach (1:32 dilution) is effective (1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water)

Clean surfaces and then disinfect

Leave bleach solution on surfaces for 10 minutes

Launder bedding and clothes with bleach

Use gloves and wash hands between litters or cats

Isolate any symptomatic cats immediately

💊 TREATMENT:
There is no cure, but supportive care can save lives

Sub-Q or IV fluids for hydration

Pain management and anti-inflammatories

Antibiotics for secondary infections

Nutritional support (slurry feeding if not eating)

Isolation from other cats is essential

🛑 Prevention is key. Isolate all new intakes. Use full PPE if exposed. Don’t assume it’s just “a cold.”

💔 We’re losing too many cats to this preventable tragedy. Please share with local fosters, shelters, and vet staff.

📝 P.S.
It’s important to note that this virulent strain is not fully protected against by the standard calicivirus vaccines (FVRCP). While vaccinated cats may have milder symptoms, they can still contract and spread the virus. This makes isolation, decontamination, and vigilance even more critical, especially in multi-cat environments, foster homes, and shelters.

Don't assume a vaccinated cat is safe or immune, take full precautions.

05/30/2025

Dedicated to Feline Rescuers,

To the one who opens their home,
Year after year, season after season,
Welcoming the lost, the broken, the wild.
Not for glory, not for gain,
But because love gave you no other choice.

You are the healer of small, frightened hearts,
The finder of names for the nameless,
The midnight feeder, the tireless cleaner,
The gentle whisperer of “you’re safe now.”
And when the time comes, you kiss them softly on the head,
And send them into the arms of someone new.

Your chapter in their story may be brief,
But it is the hinge that opens the door.
The most pivotal part.
The part where everything changes.

We see you.

We see the exhaustion behind your eyes,
The sacrifice in your empty weekends,
The heartbreak of goodbye, again and again.
The sting of words like crazy cat lady,
Thrown by those too small to understand
What kind of courage it takes
To face a problem so big, so endless.

And still show up.

Because burnout is real.
The cost is real.
The sadness can be suffocating.
You skip holidays and delay dreams,
You feed colonies in alleys like fugitives,
You turn down vacations because no one else can cover.
Still, you go on.

Not just for the rescue community,
But for the cats themselves.
They know.
They feel it.
The kindness, the mercy, the hope.

You, brave soul, are a hero.
One who chips away at the darkness,
One life at a time.
Clinging to every adoption photo,
Every happy tail,
As proof that your pain has a purpose
And your love leaves ripples that never fade.

So thank you.
For the lives you've changed.
For the ones you’ve let go.
For the ones you’re holding now.
For never giving up,
Even when no one else sees the fight.

We see you.
And so do they.



This was inspired by our local tireless kitty advocates, TNR Warriors, fosters, and friends!

05/30/2025

05/30/2025

Why Are We Seeing So Much More FIP? A Deeper Look.

Rescuers, colony care takers and fosters across the state have been talking: we’re seeing more confirmed cases of FIP than ever before. And while better diagnostics and increased awareness explain some of the uptick, that’s not the whole story. Even those of us who’ve always known how to spot FIP are seeing a very real rise, and we think we may know why.

Viruses don’t exist in isolation. Right now, we’re witnessing a surge in a virulent strain of calicivirus (that the vaccines do not prevent) and the summer-loving spread of feline panleukopenia (feline parvo). These viruses are aggressive, fast-spreading, and incredibly taxing on the immune systems of the cats we’re all trying to save. And when a cat’s immune system is under that kind of stress, it creates a perfect storm.

FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) begins as a harmless feline coronavirus that many cats carry without issue. It only becomes deadly when it mutates inside the body, often in response to immune dysfunction or stress. That’s where these other viruses come in.

Here’s the working theory in our rescue circles right now:

Immune System Overload: When a kitten is fighting a virus like calici, herpes, or parvo (or has recently recovered), their immune system is already overworked. That stress may lower their ability to control other viruses, giving dormant feline coronavirus a window to mutate into FIP.

Distraction and Evasion: Some viruses use a kind of "immune distraction" to evade detection. If an infection such as calici, or parvo are aggressively activating the immune system, it may redirect attention away from the early signs of coronavirus mutation.

Shared Environments: In colonies where these viruses are spreading, cats can be exposed to all three: calici, parvo, and coronavirus, within a short time frame. It’s not hard to imagine how multiple immune challenges increase the risk of viral mutation.

It’s not that FIP itself is suddenly contagious, there’s no solid evidence that the mutated form spreads between cats. (At least not the north American strains) But we are seeing conditions that make mutation more likely, especially in high-stress environments like overcrowded colonies, shelters, or rescues overwhelmed by kitten season.

This is why it can feel like we save a kitten from one virus, only for another to strike later. It’s heartbreaking. But understanding these patterns gives us a better shot at catching FIP early, pushing for preventative care, and advocating for more research on co-infections and immune suppression.

Keep speaking up. Keep comparing notes. And keep fighting for these cats. Awareness is our first tool. Treatment is our next.

05/18/2025

Consider the sad existence of unaltered cats. Females are physically exhausted by continuous pregnancies and nursing, each litter progressively weakening them. Males, slaves to hormones they cannot comprehend, are compelled to fight and chase, often leading them into dangerous traffic where they are fatally struck. The noise from their breeding and altercations acts as an undeniable lure for predators, making them easy targets for coyotes. Diseases like FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) "cat AIDS," are rampant, spread through the very acts of breeding and the deep, painful bites inflicted during their territorial disputes. Most heartbreakingly, the majority of their kittens will never be seen, perishing from illness, harsh environmental conditions (be it scorching heat or freezing cold), infection, or predation, often before they can even crawl from their mothers' nests. Given these harsh realities, it is contradictory to claim deep affection for the cats you feed if, in the same breath, you refuse the opportunity to get them spayed or neutered. We support colony feeders, we love them, but the ones who not only neglect to TNR themselves but worse, refuse to let anyone else TNR either, we can not help but see their love as harmful and dysfunctional; to be indifferent to the suffering, we expect from those who take no notice of our community cats, but when it comes from those who fill the bowls and give them names, that is its own kind of disfunction.

'Beyond the Bowl, The Unseen Toll'

Her slender frame, a constant toll,
By nature's urgent, deep demand.
Each swelling belly, seizing soul,
A weary life across the land.
The restless male, a driven ghost,
By hormones he can't comprehend.
Lost on the streets, his vital post,
A brutal chase, a violent end.

In mating cries and savage fights,
A signal sent on midnight air.
The coyote hears, in shadowed nights,
And silence falls on stark despair.
Disease, a silent, creeping stain,
From bitter bite to strained embrace.
FIV's slow, agonizing pain,
Leaving its devastating trace.

And kittens, born to fragile plight,
A hidden toll, beneath the leaves.
Most vanish in the fading light,
Before the world, their smallness grieves.
By frost or fever, or sun's harsh glare,
By hunger's gnaw, or predator's eye.
So do not tell me that you care,
If you can end the cycle but will not try.

To claim fondness, while a trappers help you decline,
reveals a selfish need to feed, not love's design.
We want them fed, on this, we can all agree
But to prevent their sterilization is outright cruelty.

05/17/2025

Time for hard truths...

If You're Only Taking the Kittens… You're Part of the Problem...

There’s something that needs to be said, and it might ruffle some feathers, but it's the truth:
If you're taking kittens out of a colony again and again, pushing them through your rescue, while never lifting a finger to get the mother cats spayed, then you’re not a savior. You're not helping. You're a backyard breeder using someone else’s backyard.

Because if you keep going back for the inevitable steady stream of kittens born to the same unaltered cats you keep leaving behind, you're not rescuing. You're kitten flipping. You’re benefiting from the exact same cycle of irresponsibility that backyard breeders do, except you've convinced yourself it’s different because the kittens come from the street.

But it’s not different. Not to the mother cats who are still out there, pregnant again.

Not to the responsible rescue community who’s trying to break the cycle, not feed it.
And not to the thousands of unwanted kittens born every day while you look the other way.

Fix the root. Trap the moms. Spay the colony. Or stop calling it rescue.

03/23/2025

We are receiving multiple offers for placement of friendly adults already altered ( with preference for core vaccines completed). This is a great time to get friendly adults into new homes before kittens flood the rescues. If you have a truly friendly, healthy and altered kitty looking for placement reach out to be connected with an accepting AZ rescue.