Ragdoll Cat Forums

hi there...I was hoping someone would know the answer to this. I was wondering if a cat can have the same exact virus twice. ( I thought I remembered that people cant because we build up antibodies was wondering if it is the same with cats)

My reason for asking....Henry the kitten has been in his own room since last thursday because of his cold. I am hoping he will be completely over it in a day or so and was hoping to be able to let him out soon. (the vet said 10 days which is sunday) I heard George sneeze a couple times this morning. On what I hope is the very off chance George is coming down with this cold, can Henry then get it again from George. In other words can it ping pong between the two over and over or possible 3 with Mimi. I am hoping George was just sneezing and not coming down with this. I have been careful to wash my hands always after being in the room with Henry. However they were around each other on wednesday before I realized Henry was sick. (I thought he was just sneezing from "exploring" a new home.)

Yes. However, it should be more mild each time. Antibodies do not prevent being infected. They just mean the cat has a head start in fighting the virus, which means you can expect the body to be more effective as immunity is built by each infection.

In addition, viruses mutate and it may be that the body is a bit slower in fighting off those that are a bit different from the past outbreak. (This is why you have to get a flu shot every year. The flu virus is enough different each year that the older shots will not help enough and new shots are needed to fight the flu strains of the current year.)

oh no...
the last thing I need is this thing ping ponging around the 3 cats. I really am not sure how to keep that from happening tho.