Tackling immunity in a herd of cats

Editor’s note: Second in a series.

Cattle, pigs and sheep, rubbing shoulders in large groups, risk spreading infectious diseases, leading veterinary medicine to the concept of herd immunity. A crowd of 26 cats with discharges from their 52 eyes and nostrils presented a serious herd health debacle. No losses were acceptable. In the exam room and in their home, I noticed Brianna and Nettie handling each of their kitties in its own special way. They delighted in sharing stories about their antics.

At the outset of the upper respiratory outbreak, I needed to figure out how in the world to get my arms around this gathering storm. So, I made a home visit. These folks were no strangers to pet loss. Each kitty who transitioned, rather than being cremated, was embalmed by Brianna the mortician. Remains were lovingly arranged, each with its own memorial. As I toured their home, I saw photos and tiny coffins, each reminiscent of an Egyptian sarcophagus. There were incense bowls accompanied by plates holding a few coins. Shrunken heads hung in alcoves. No one ever truly left the Peabody home.

It sounds rather ghoulish, but Brianna, who wore black every day, was generally lighthearted about her cats, past and present. Her mom Nettie behaved as though their lives were as normal and average as everybody else’s. As I made my observations, I tried not to gasp or shudder, comporting myself as though I had seen it all before. Maybe I fooled them.

Cats were pretty much everywhere. Many relaxed on furniture or the coffee table, others camped out on the hoods of the vintage Cadillac hearses in the yard. Inside, there were candles galore. At my house, putting a cat out involves opening the door. At the Peabody home, it meant quickly wrapping one in a thick towel to extinguish its smoldering hair. Despite this calculated gamble, there were never any burns.

This was a seriously crowded feline colony. For control of their burgeoning upper respiratory epidemic, “thinning the herd” was not on the table. We needed a Plan B.

Next week: Plan B.

PET BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS?: For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist. He provides consultations in person and in groups via Zoom (505-792-5131). Each week, he shares a blog and a Facebook Live video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol. com. Post pet questions on facebook.com/ drjeffnichol or by mail to 4000 Montgomery NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109.