Hello everyone! This is my first post on pet forums and I have a good feeling about this place. I hope to make good friends as people here seem quite friendly.

My 1.5 month old baby, Leo, has recently passed away.... He had a very weak immune system and couldn't fight the virus. We spent hours at the vet most days. He stopped eating but I tried force-feeding him and syringing him which I then stopped bec he'd vomit. I really miss him.

Anyway, i'm thinking of getting another kitten, this time an older one (3-6mon). My mistake was adopting a young kitten who didnt get enough of him mother's milk and love. The problem is the virus Leo had is infectious, easily transmitted to other cats. I fear that getting a new kitten which will sleep in the same room (mine) might get it as well. Is there a way I could 'clear' the virus? Im definetly buying a new bowl/litter/blanket/carrier etc.

Happy Xmas! x

First and foremost welcome, I'm so sorry to hear about leo. In answer to your question there are things you could do although the safest bet would be to leave it for the amount of time required for the virus to die off. Do you know which virus it was, some can only survive for minutes without a host others can live for months?
If you do want to clean everywhere your best bet would probably be to hire / borrow a steam cleaner for all carpets etc. Litter trays, food bowls etc if not buying new wash in a bleach solution then allow to dry before rinsing off with boiling water.

When it comes to getting a new cat, have you considered getting a kitten from a rescue centre? This way not only will you not be funding unscrupulous back yard breeders but the kitten will be health checked, of reasonable age and at very least of started their first vaccinations

Thank you Ali82 . Our vet didnt specify the virus but he had all of the FPV symptoms. I dont want to put a kitten at risk..

Welcome to PF! I'm sorry to hear about Leo, it's very sad that a young kitten has left too soon. Did you know if he contracted the illness before or after moving into your house?

It's difficult to advise with an unknown virus, but let's go for worse case scenario and it was FPV. To "clear" it, you'll have to get the house thoroughly cleaned with a dilute 1:9 bleach solution to prevent another outbreak as the virus may live up to a year. There's no guarantee your new one won't have it unless she/he has been vaccinated against it. If you get a kitten who is 6 months, they *should* have been vaccinated twice if you get the kitten from a proper breeder or from a rescue centre, and their antibodies should have built up by then from their vaccines. Don't get an unvaccinated kitten into your house - too recent and too risky.

Health test is also a good idea, and good breeders and rescue centres will health test the kitten before letting them go to a new home. You don't want to buy a kitten from a backyard breeder who didn't do any health testing to save cost, only to find that not only the kitten is unvaccinated, the kitten may have already contracted an illness prior to your purchase.

Good luck to you and your new kitty if you decide to get one.

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Hello and welcome, Silverlady6. I am sorry to read of your sad experience and cannot add any more advice that is better than what Kerfuffle and Ali82 have already written. I wish you greater happiness in the near future. All I will say is to recommend either finding a kitten from a rescue centre or reputable breeder. Any truly reputable breeder will not allow a kitten to leave its maternal home before the fur-child has reached AT LEAST 13 weeks of age because by that time, the kitten will have completed its course of vaccinations and been checked over at least twice by the vet. I am pretty sure that rescue centres are careful about health checks too. All the best - please don't be a stranger on here.

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Thank you Kerfuffle! I'll definetly bleach my whole house just to be on the safe side . I got Leo from a very awful pet shop and im never doing that again.
Rraa: i know a few reputable breeders who have lovely kittens, and yes, atleast 13 weeks... I'll probably insist on a kitten vaccinated against FPV as well.

Thank you all for your warm welcome xxx

Throw out all bowls, litter trays and beds, and steam clean all carpets and furniture. You mightwant to use something like this around your house....:
Best Eco Products - Your Healthy Living Product Awards

Moreover, you will need to have your cat fully vaccinated against the virus, and wait long enough after vaccination for him to reach full immunity before bringing him home. Then, you will have to give regular booster vacs.

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