Menu
CB Animals and Pets Review of ClassyRags Cattery
ClassyRags Cattery

ClassyRags Cattery review: Sick animals! 5

D
Author of the review
12:00 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I want to share my experience with purchasing a kitten from Kathryn Arce from ClassyRags Ragdolls Cattery so that others can be aware before they decide about getting a kitten from her Cattery... when I purchased a Ragdoll kitten from Classyrags on October 17, 2007 the first hour my kitten came home she was constantly sneezing, the kitten didn't go to the vets because Kathryn guarantees her kittens to be healthy, I thought the new environment was causing the kitten to sneeze so I had no idea that this was going to be the start of a very bad Herpes Upper Respiratory Infection, several day later her eyes had a little water in them, several days after that she was hacking & swallowing funny by the next day she had a temperature of 105 her eyes were swollen red & full of mucus, we took her to the vets where she had full blown Herpes Upper Respiratory Virus with ulcers in her eyes, she was so congested she couldn't breath, she refused to eat for several days so I had to syringe feed her I was so afraid she was going to die me & my husband stood up day & night to care for her, since then she has been to the vets 4 times already because of her poor condition...

My kitten was so sick we had to test her for other cat diseases since Kathryn doesn't test her Kittens for these illness before the kittens go home, but yet she guarantees that they don't have FIV/FeLV & FIP, Kathryn how could you guarantee your kittens are free of those viruses when the kittens leave your home they are not tested for those virus what a scam that is, even animal shelter test for those diseases... My kitten tested positive for the Corona Virus which means that it could mutate & turn into FIP where she will die at a very early age since there is no treatment for it... My kitten was also scratching, biting & licking her fur constantly to the point where she made a large sore on her thigh it's 5 weeks already since I had her and she is still scratching, biting, & licking her fur to the point where her fur is always wet, we are working with my vet to find out why she does this so that's more testing that is being done with more vet bills piling up...

I have contacted Kathryn Arce from Classyrags many time about my kitten to try & resolve this & she will not reimburse me for any medical bills after saying that she would pay 300 dollars but then changed her mind, she doesn't want to take any blame & will blame everything on you, she also told me to stop emailing her, is that the kind of person you want to buy a kitten from, Kathryn will only be nice & helpful if you don't encounter any problems with your kitten but if you do then she doesn't want to have anything to do with you after that... she is in denial that she has any viruses in her Cattery, anybody who bought a kitten from ClassyRags should have a titer test done on there kitten for the Corona virus... beware of what her guarantee means & what she will do about it if your kitten turns up positive or gets sick, she will most likely blame the buyer...

5 comments
G
G
Googlesearch
Corpus Christi, US
Jan 22, 2012 6:42 pm EST

I came here and saw the comments to this buyer and did a simple Google search and found them to be FALSE. So anyone that's looking at information regarding FIP needs to look it up and speak to professionals themselves. The comments here really seem like they are breeder's friends or customers because the information is not accurate. The coronavirus can mutate and turn into FIP in a kitten because their immune system isn't fully developed. I'm sorry but I'd believe a link from a Cornell vet link over these people here.
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html

H
H
hellokitty
anchorage, US
Jan 02, 2009 3:12 pm EST

I also wanted to add a few more hopefully helpful comments.

First off, I imagine it was quite scary to have all this happening. I am sorry about that. How is the kitten now? Does she still have upper respiratory issues? Has the scratching issue been resolved?

Vet's have a responsibility to their clients to inform them of all potential risks. Maybe that is what your Vet was meaning when they mentioned possible FIP? I don't know. Imo, though, ANY cat has a risk for potential FIP or any illness, virus, etc. Part of being a living, breathing creature. And unfortunately we cannot keep out every virus, etc.

Have you tried changing the kittens food? That could be a source of the scratching. It also could be sensitive skin. I would be careful in what you bathe the cat in, careful with what shampoos, etc groomers might be using, etc. Also, make sure you either go to a dustfree litter or sift her litter out a lot before bringing it into the house. Maybe these things will help her. The three elements that greatly influence their lives are environment, diet and genetics. I wish we could see all the recessives, etc that can be hidden in DNA for 17+ generations but we can't so we do what we can with what we have and that is Love, Care and an excellent Diet!
Hope this helps and the kitten is doing well!

H
H
hellokitty
anchorage, US
Jan 02, 2009 2:45 pm EST

I am sorry your kitten was sneezing and had upper respiratory issues. Unfortunately, cats are very sensitive respiratory-wise.

Yeah your Vet is having a field day with you! I am a Veterinary Assistant and I have never heard of a coronavirus test! You can test the titers but guess what----every animal has those (according to my Vet)! And don't forget that a lot of times vaccines can cause titers to be elevated. My Vet and I are getting sick of hearing of Vet's freaking out people about a false test for caronaviruses.

I don't care what Vet you see do your research online! There is a wealth of information from organizations from the WINN feline foundation, UC DAVIS, etc.

Here are some I found for you to help use in your assessment.

http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/fip_testing.html

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081119130258AA9aoBe

Here is a good one from the WINN foundation for herpesvirus (notice it's NOT from a caronavirus):

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Health/Upper-respiratory-disease.html

I have found the only thing to help a cat with Herpesvirus, IMO, is colloidal silver. Just make sure you don't over use it though.

I have read through other posted complaints online that you submitted that she paid you back for the Vet bills. So I see no need for this to still be listed here. It's been resolved and your kitten doesn't have FIP (instead herpes). And PLEASE find another Vet.

P
P
Pam Copeland
,
Jan 25, 2008 8:24 pm EST

I have a hard time believing this complaint. I purchased a ragdoll born March 2, 2004 from Katheryne. I visited our kitten every week Katheryne's cattery until I took her home. I have had several cats throughout my life and this cat is the healthiest cat I have ever had. She is beautiful, loving and has not been sick a day since I have had her. Kathy was very devoted to breeding and raising ragdolls.

I
I
Ima Lumberjack
,
Nov 27, 2007 8:21 pm EST

Sorry, Sharon, but someone is giving you incorrect information. A positive result for corona virus does not mean your kitten is at an increased risk of developing FIP later in life. A corona titer is pretty useless. All it tells you is the approximate number of antibodies the cat's immune system has produced. Nothing more, nothing less. Multiply that number by a million, divide it by a thousand, and you just might get an accurate idea of your cat's chances of FIP.

By the way, corona virus is inherent in about 90%of cats.

If your vet told you that a positive corona virus result might put your cat at risk for FIP, please find another vet. This one is using the specter of FIP to frighten you into parting with your hard earned money.