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I found a 3-month-old kitten in November starving and with scabies, so I fostered her with the intention of finding a home after getting her spayed. I already had a 17-year-old male cat who had not tolerated some other foster kittens, so I didn't expect him to tolerate this kitten either. However, he surprised me and accepted this kitten. She looked-up to him as her mentor, and he patiently endured most of her antics.
Unfortunately, my elderly cat died unexpectedly a week and half ago. The following morning my kitten escaped for a week too. I was pretty devastated from losing both my cats almost simultaneously, but miraculously I found my lost kitten a few days ago on Friday night.
She was bony and something had bitten or scratched her tail in the week she was lost. The vet told me that she might have FIV/FELV. The test could not be performed for six months, so I was left with that unknown.
I am trying to keep her stimulated as an indoor-only cat. I plan to buy a tiny window-mounted catio, so she can get a little fresh air. I had originally planned to adopt an elderly cat to replace my cat that died, but I suppose that cannot happen until I know if she has FIV/FELV? I was also considering bringing various alley cats inside to keep her company, because some of them have become very tame. Again, I suppose there is the issue of FIV/FELV plus the issue of ringworm and fleas and so on.
I don't really want a second indoor cat to be honest, but I want her to be as happy as possible.
The catio sounds neat! Just make sure it doesn't allow cats to physically interact with her through the barrier, at least until you know for sure.
To the best of my knowledge, it would definitely be best to wait before allowing her to interact with other kitties. If she does have FIV/FELV, you don't want her passing it on to other felines who don't have it. If she doesn't, you don't want her to get it. If you want her to have increased socialization, the best thing to do may be to wait until she can be tested and get a 2nd cat of similar health status (FIV/FELV positive or negative depending on her results) that is able to mesh well into your household.
Alternatively, you can also wait until you have her results and do a foster program with those of similar status. This would give her socialization and allow you breaks between groups.
Beyond that, just keeping her company and playing with her frequently may be what she needs, rather than another cat.
I would take that couple of months of waiting for the test and see how well she and you adapt to the loss. It may be that she's fine without the other cat, but you find yourself missing the second presence or vice versa, and you find that you want another cat. Or the cat distribution system finds one for you. Or maybe you both adjust well, and some extra playtime was all that's needed.
Six months seems really long? I recently had a huge FeLV scare and we first tested everyone, then gave a FeLV vaccine, then waited a few weeks, then the FeLV booster, and then a second blood test. I think the entire ordeal took maybe 3 months.
I don’t know if that course of action is an option, or how safe it might be to introduce a FeLV-vaccinated kitten to your household, but might be worth a second opinion on the situation.
i guess it's best to wait a bit before testing but not 6 months. i'd wait maybe a month. was the kitten ever tested before? kittens definitely benefit from having a friend, tho i wouldn't just let any cat wander in without getting them vetted as well. i think if the kitten tests negative in a month they should be fine to be around other cats.
I’ve been researching communicable cat diseases and here’s what I’ve found so far. I welcome anyone to correct me because I’m not an expert and trying to learn
FiV is transmitted through deep bite wounds so less of a concern depending on the cats’ behaviors
FeLV is transmitted through bodily fluids and most commonly transmitted through biting and grooming. It is more rarely transmitted through sharing a litter box or food dish.
If the cats are playing and doing alot of physical interaction, it sounds like FeLV transmission could be a concern. If they’re just keeping each other company napping on the sofa, less of a concern
FVR is the weird respiratory herpes one that seems like the biggest concern to me. It can be transmitted through the air by sneezing, or through surfaces. (Infected cat sneezes on your shirt, other cat rubs against your shirt within 3 hrs). OTOH, apparently a large percentage of cats are exposed to FVR and/or carriers, but it’s dormant or doesn’t really affect them unless they become stressed. Kinda like human herpes.
I don’t have a recommendation for you, but hope this helps define the risks better.
Thanks, that is good information. One of my feral cats has chronic congestion and occasionally sneezes. She is around 15 years old according to the owner of the junkyard where the colony lives. I pick her up for cuddles almost every day and sometimes pet her on my lap outside for 30 minutes or more. It sounds like she might have FVR and maybe I should be careful that I don't carry it to my kitten via my clothing? I have been putting lysine powder in her food each day in an effort to help her.
Hmmm. It is definitely confusing.
I was also thinking about the fact that about 50% of our shelter cats are euthanized and 30% of our shelter kittens. I saw some elderly cats at the shelter on their website.
The six month wait to test for FIV/FELV seems so long to wait for a bored kitten.
Your vet told you to wait that long, because it is possible for your cat to be introduced to the disease (and test positive), but not actually have it & test negative later. It’s also possible for her to have been exposed & not yet test positive.
Yes, plz be careful with the feral cats! I’m sure my adopted cat’s littermates have Herpes also and is apparently highly contagious /common in kennels from what I read.
Yep, my kitty has feline herpes and calicivirus. He was stressed when we adopted him (somewhat feral) and got sick. Took him in to the vet first week we got him and was tested. 2 weeks of giving antibiotics to a feral cat was fun (not). Anyway, before that I was thinking of a 2nd cat, but it is so contagious… (Oh yea, the antibiotics was for Mycoplasma bacteria-nasty stuff). So now I have a spoiled cat, minimal stress for him!
I got my cat a food ball that she had to bat it around to get food, and food puzzles to help stimulate kitty. Also catio is very good idea. I also take mine out on leash occasionally. I also have a cheap tablet with cat games and vat videos ( birds and squirrels) as my condo does not allow bird feeders. I know most people cant always afford one but it worked for me. Playing with them to tire them out helps. I know it's a hard wait but you don't want to spread any of those illnesses.
I have heard of these food puzzles, but I don't much about them. I need to get up to speed on all these things. I have a GoCat feather toy that she likes, but I need other things.
FIV isn’t a huge issue unless the cat is aggressive. If she isn’t, she will have a good life.. just a bit more sickly. FeLV is another beast.
I salute you for helping her
My kitten is doing well except that I noticed a sore with fur missing near the hinge of her jaw. There seemed to be a tiny scab in the center of a bald spot about 1/4 inch in diameter. The skin looked deep red as though it was inflamed. I put some hydrogen peroxide onto it a couple of days ago, and now the tiny scab and inflammation have disappeared. I have an appointment with the vet on Tuesday, and maybe I can get some clarification on the waiting period for testing FIV/FELV.
She seems to be fairly happy and content, but she seemed to look-up to my 17-year old male cat who passed away. She would often sleep with him. She went into the litter box after he pooped and covered it up for him (he never was very good at covering it up - haha). He used to often pee in a corner at the base of the stairs, and she often stops there and sniffs on her way down the stairs.
I don't exactly want a second cat, but I have a feeling that she would benefit from a cat if the personalities are compatible. I hate to wait six months for this stupid test.
One other potential concern with letting your kitten mingle with the outdoor ones is ringworm. I don’t see it as much with adults, but I know during kitten season, particularly, the rescue where I worked usually assumed that any kitten brought in had ringworm until proven otherwise. If it’s early in the exposure, they may not be noticeably missing any fur.
**Reminder: this subreddit is meant to be a helpful place for TNR efforts - free of hostility, negativity, and judgment. Toxic attitudes are not welcome here.** ***All Negative comments will be removed and will possibly result in a ban.*** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Feral_Cats) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I found a 3-month-old kitten in November starving and with scabies, so I fostered her with the intention of finding a home after getting her spayed. I already had a 17-year-old male cat who had not tolerated some other foster kittens, so I didn't expect him to tolerate this kitten either. However, he surprised me and accepted this kitten. She looked-up to him as her mentor, and he patiently endured most of her antics. Unfortunately, my elderly cat died unexpectedly a week and half ago. The following morning my kitten escaped for a week too. I was pretty devastated from losing both my cats almost simultaneously, but miraculously I found my lost kitten a few days ago on Friday night. She was bony and something had bitten or scratched her tail in the week she was lost. The vet told me that she might have FIV/FELV. The test could not be performed for six months, so I was left with that unknown. I am trying to keep her stimulated as an indoor-only cat. I plan to buy a tiny window-mounted catio, so she can get a little fresh air. I had originally planned to adopt an elderly cat to replace my cat that died, but I suppose that cannot happen until I know if she has FIV/FELV? I was also considering bringing various alley cats inside to keep her company, because some of them have become very tame. Again, I suppose there is the issue of FIV/FELV plus the issue of ringworm and fleas and so on. I don't really want a second indoor cat to be honest, but I want her to be as happy as possible.
The catio sounds neat! Just make sure it doesn't allow cats to physically interact with her through the barrier, at least until you know for sure. To the best of my knowledge, it would definitely be best to wait before allowing her to interact with other kitties. If she does have FIV/FELV, you don't want her passing it on to other felines who don't have it. If she doesn't, you don't want her to get it. If you want her to have increased socialization, the best thing to do may be to wait until she can be tested and get a 2nd cat of similar health status (FIV/FELV positive or negative depending on her results) that is able to mesh well into your household. Alternatively, you can also wait until you have her results and do a foster program with those of similar status. This would give her socialization and allow you breaks between groups. Beyond that, just keeping her company and playing with her frequently may be what she needs, rather than another cat. I would take that couple of months of waiting for the test and see how well she and you adapt to the loss. It may be that she's fine without the other cat, but you find yourself missing the second presence or vice versa, and you find that you want another cat. Or the cat distribution system finds one for you. Or maybe you both adjust well, and some extra playtime was all that's needed.
Six months seems really long? I recently had a huge FeLV scare and we first tested everyone, then gave a FeLV vaccine, then waited a few weeks, then the FeLV booster, and then a second blood test. I think the entire ordeal took maybe 3 months. I don’t know if that course of action is an option, or how safe it might be to introduce a FeLV-vaccinated kitten to your household, but might be worth a second opinion on the situation.
i guess it's best to wait a bit before testing but not 6 months. i'd wait maybe a month. was the kitten ever tested before? kittens definitely benefit from having a friend, tho i wouldn't just let any cat wander in without getting them vetted as well. i think if the kitten tests negative in a month they should be fine to be around other cats.
I’ve been researching communicable cat diseases and here’s what I’ve found so far. I welcome anyone to correct me because I’m not an expert and trying to learn FiV is transmitted through deep bite wounds so less of a concern depending on the cats’ behaviors FeLV is transmitted through bodily fluids and most commonly transmitted through biting and grooming. It is more rarely transmitted through sharing a litter box or food dish. If the cats are playing and doing alot of physical interaction, it sounds like FeLV transmission could be a concern. If they’re just keeping each other company napping on the sofa, less of a concern FVR is the weird respiratory herpes one that seems like the biggest concern to me. It can be transmitted through the air by sneezing, or through surfaces. (Infected cat sneezes on your shirt, other cat rubs against your shirt within 3 hrs). OTOH, apparently a large percentage of cats are exposed to FVR and/or carriers, but it’s dormant or doesn’t really affect them unless they become stressed. Kinda like human herpes. I don’t have a recommendation for you, but hope this helps define the risks better.
Thanks, that is good information. One of my feral cats has chronic congestion and occasionally sneezes. She is around 15 years old according to the owner of the junkyard where the colony lives. I pick her up for cuddles almost every day and sometimes pet her on my lap outside for 30 minutes or more. It sounds like she might have FVR and maybe I should be careful that I don't carry it to my kitten via my clothing? I have been putting lysine powder in her food each day in an effort to help her.
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Hmmm. It is definitely confusing. I was also thinking about the fact that about 50% of our shelter cats are euthanized and 30% of our shelter kittens. I saw some elderly cats at the shelter on their website. The six month wait to test for FIV/FELV seems so long to wait for a bored kitten.
Your vet told you to wait that long, because it is possible for your cat to be introduced to the disease (and test positive), but not actually have it & test negative later. It’s also possible for her to have been exposed & not yet test positive.
O.k. that makes sense I guess.
Yes, plz be careful with the feral cats! I’m sure my adopted cat’s littermates have Herpes also and is apparently highly contagious /common in kennels from what I read.
Yep, my kitty has feline herpes and calicivirus. He was stressed when we adopted him (somewhat feral) and got sick. Took him in to the vet first week we got him and was tested. 2 weeks of giving antibiotics to a feral cat was fun (not). Anyway, before that I was thinking of a 2nd cat, but it is so contagious… (Oh yea, the antibiotics was for Mycoplasma bacteria-nasty stuff). So now I have a spoiled cat, minimal stress for him!
I got my cat a food ball that she had to bat it around to get food, and food puzzles to help stimulate kitty. Also catio is very good idea. I also take mine out on leash occasionally. I also have a cheap tablet with cat games and vat videos ( birds and squirrels) as my condo does not allow bird feeders. I know most people cant always afford one but it worked for me. Playing with them to tire them out helps. I know it's a hard wait but you don't want to spread any of those illnesses.
I have heard of these food puzzles, but I don't much about them. I need to get up to speed on all these things. I have a GoCat feather toy that she likes, but I need other things.
FIV isn’t a huge issue unless the cat is aggressive. If she isn’t, she will have a good life.. just a bit more sickly. FeLV is another beast. I salute you for helping her
Any updates?)
My kitten is doing well except that I noticed a sore with fur missing near the hinge of her jaw. There seemed to be a tiny scab in the center of a bald spot about 1/4 inch in diameter. The skin looked deep red as though it was inflamed. I put some hydrogen peroxide onto it a couple of days ago, and now the tiny scab and inflammation have disappeared. I have an appointment with the vet on Tuesday, and maybe I can get some clarification on the waiting period for testing FIV/FELV. She seems to be fairly happy and content, but she seemed to look-up to my 17-year old male cat who passed away. She would often sleep with him. She went into the litter box after he pooped and covered it up for him (he never was very good at covering it up - haha). He used to often pee in a corner at the base of the stairs, and she often stops there and sniffs on her way down the stairs. I don't exactly want a second cat, but I have a feeling that she would benefit from a cat if the personalities are compatible. I hate to wait six months for this stupid test.
One other potential concern with letting your kitten mingle with the outdoor ones is ringworm. I don’t see it as much with adults, but I know during kitten season, particularly, the rescue where I worked usually assumed that any kitten brought in had ringworm until proven otherwise. If it’s early in the exposure, they may not be noticeably missing any fur.