My name is Joy Mizelle and I live in northern Florida. I have been a long time Siamese lover and have had four Siamese over the past 40 years. There is a no more wonderful cat.
When my husband and I decided we wanted another Siamese, we considered all our options, investigated several catteries and finally chose Carolina Blues Cattery, of Waxhaw, NC (outside Charlotte). We had lengthy communications with Carol Gagatch, the owner, and were assured we would be able to purchase a healthy, well adjusted kitten from her.
The kitten we decided on was from Sushi's litter of February 23, 2009.
http://sushisspringkittens.blogspot.com/
This litter of six had three males and three females. We gave deposit and chose to select a male kitten in a few weeks. When it came the actual time to choose our kitten we were told there were only two male kittens to choose from. One of the males died at two weeks of age.
I am unsure if the cause of this kitten's death was ever established. If it was determined by a Vet, I was never told. The impression I got was it was never investigated. When we went to the
cattery to actually choose our kitten, the Mother cat, Sushi, had a very watery eye. These two incidents should have rung warning bells. Dr. Porter has indicated this was troublesome. Another disturbing afterthought was in the photo's Carol sent, and that we took, one or both of the male kittens eye was closed more than its other eye. (see link)
The end of April we picked up our very adorable kitten and started home to Florida. On the way home Sammy sneezed at least twice, but we didn't think anything of it. He saw the Vet the next day, 5/1/09 and all was well.
Sammy continued to sneeze, and on several occasions had a dirty nose and had eye discharge that cleared up quickly. I was still ignorant as to what this might mean.
On the day of his next Vet appointment 5/22/09, Sammy had true conjunctivitis and was sneezing more with a crusty nose. The Vet diagnosed him with Feline Herpes. Dr. Porter was hoping his natural immunities and vaccinations might clear this up. She also felt that Sammy's vaccinations had been started too early.
On May 27, because Sammy's symptoms became more intense, Dr. Porter started Sammy on Amoxicillin orally, Tobramycin eye drops and Vetri-Lysine chews.
Up to this point I kept Carol Gagatch, the breeder, informed. She maintained that she vaccinates for the Herpes virus, this is part of the 2in1 and 3in1 distemper. Sometimes after a vaccine your cat will come down with some symptoms of the virus. Our cats come from very healthy lines, fed the best foods, and given lots of love. My last communication from her was on 5/27/09.
Carol Gagatch did ask for permission to speak with Sammy's Vet, which I was totally in favor of. I hope we all have Sammy's best interest at heart.
Since then Sammy completed the antibiotics and then developed a large ulcerated lesion on the corner of the left eye and a mouth ulcer on the right lower jaw. It resembles little blisters. The eye is especially troublesome, as he has scratched it badly. He still sneezes, has a dirty nose. The eye situation comes and goes.
I was just wondering if anyone else out there has had a similar problem with a kitten from Carolina Blues Cattery, and if so what has the outcome been? I want only the best for our Sammy. He is so sad and pitiful. Because of his stuffy, caked nose, he breathes with his mouth open, the eye is a mess but the mouth looks a bit better. If anyone can offer a some advice on a course of treatment that has been successful, I would be so grateful.
I can be reached at jmizelle@yahoo.com
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I purchased Banjo and Flapjack - the litter born the week after yours.
ReplyDeleteBanjo died of FIP in Sept 2009 at 6 months old.
Carol Gagatch accepted no responsibility or liability but continued breeding Mr Andre--who she should have quit using as a stud.
Flapjack had blisters on his head also--they still appear once in awhile--so far he is healthy but underweight
I pray that Sammy is doing better
thank you for these comments. I am looking for a seal point and I think I'll look elsewhere now! The bad thing with these types of viruses is that they're very hard to eliminate and will probably become aggravated every time the cats get sick. How heartbreaking!!
ReplyDeleteIn November 2010 Titus joined our home (father is Andre and mother is Sheeba). He was a very healthy, well adjusted kitten and most certainly impressed our vet. By now he has grown into an incredible 2 year old cat. Beyond healthy, beautiful and very intelligent. We have some 30 years of experience with Siamese and by far this is the most adjusted kitten we have ever had. I am sorry to hear of the kittens that did not fare so well - but I guess sometimes nature produces some not so strong off-springs. Carol has been great and I am continuously in occasional contact. Unlike other breeders, she made me come and travel to SC and get Titus (we are in MN). :) She enjoys hearing of how Titus is doing and is also curious about our other Siamese Houdini. I would recommend her cats without hesitations. Our Titus has a lot of personality of Mr Andre & is super healthy and I would not agree that Andre stud days are over.
ReplyDeleteHi Joy,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear you had such health trouble with your little kitten. I hope he is doing much better now and you are happy with him. I am an excited new owner of a Carolina Blues kitten as of August 7, 2012! Actually, Silke, he is a full brother to your Titus and Carol says our Liam will grow up to look just like your boy. Titus is so handsome and so much like Andre, we can't wait!
Carol has been incredible, my girlfriend and I got in touch with her in July looking for a Siamese for our other cat who unfortunately had come from a Kitty Mill (Search Siamese Catteries of Georgia, you will find it, they still owe us a deposit, NEVER purchase from there!). She had seal point available and just our luck had a last minute cancellation. We had second pick. We were so fortunate that the kitten we fell for from the start was available to us and has now become a part of our family. Liam, as we've named him, is the epitome of a perfect Siamese. He is vocal, intelligent, outgoing, adjusted, and incredibly entertaining, SO full of pizazz, constantly. Our two year old male Seal Point, Neko, can hardly keep up.
When we went to visit in SC to pick up Liam, everything was pristine. All the cats (including Sushi, Andre, Sheeba, Ruby, Chunk, & kittens) were in wonderful health and it was obvious how much Carol cares for the well being of the cats. I hate so much you had a poor experience with them, and would gently recommend having another look, you may have a change of heart. This new bundle of joy in our life is so lovely, I wish everyone could have one of these kittens. Best wishes to you,
Chrissy Chambers
Atlanta, GA
Hi Chrissy,
DeleteJust read your post. So by now you have a teenager on your hands. How fun. Our story was similar to yours - a kitten "reservation" freed up, and we got to pick our little bundle. So Titus is about 2.5 years. His face has yet changed some more. He looks very much like Andre, he tips his head the same way and uses the same angle for his eyes. But I also do see Sheba in him - but Andre is dominant. Just ask Carol for some recent pictures I send her before christmas. Another annual exam from the vet came in with flying colors this past November. Titus is close to 9 pounds by now, and eats very healthy portions. His body is impressive - full of muscle (and legs that go way beyond...) and a very smart, caring family member. A healthy boy, could not be happier with him. I hope that the original poster's are sharing a happy family life with their kitties by now.
Carol please keep at it!
Chrissy, I have been searching for a Siamese since September and have been really discouraged. I just looked on the net for catteries in Georgia, but there are a few. If you don't want to say the name, could you please give me a clue or too? I live in NC so I've been looking at NC and Georgia. There is one in Georgia (Kittenanzt) that looks beautiful, but I worry that it is the one you might be referring to. Thank you to everyone who has written here because a Siamese kitten is a 20 year commitment of love and attention and companionship. Hope to hear from you soon.
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