Opinions needed please

[alleysmom]

I have an 11 year old 16 pound INDOOR male cat who cannot have annual cat shots. The shots have nearly killed him 3 times and around 4 years ago we decided not to ever let him suffer like that - so we have kept him indoors away from any other cats and SHOTfree.

So, there's this beautiful little female stray that has been hanging around and we've been feeding outdoors. This is New York and the nights are getting cold.

How could we adopt this outdoor cat without endangering the health of our indoor cat? Quarantine her? If so for how long? How long do disease germs live on a cat? Or how contagious would she be?

Any opinions appreciated.
Thanks.
Alley's Mom

[MJ]

If it's possible, I would try to start with catching her and taking her straight to a vet without bringing her into your house first... Then you would know right away whether there seems to be anything serious wrong with her before you've even exposed your cat to her.

Other than that, I'm sure other people can come up with more and better ideas than me. :P

[Tambrey]

I am with MJ.....firs to the vet for a total physical, deworming, shots, health checkup and spay if healthy and old enough....
your vet should be able to answer your other questions...

then...when you bring her home, put her into a separate room and get her used to you first...and let your resident cat get used to her scent from you and from under the door...there will be sniffing and yowling....it is normal when introducing new cats....


see the link at the top of the forum for feline introductions...there is lots of good advice there to help smooth this transition for all of you!!

[Traci]

Take her to your vet immediately, before allowing her anywhere near your other cat. Ask the vet to examine, deworm, test for FELV/FIV (this only takes 10 minutes), vaccinate accordingly for FVRCP, FELV and Rabies. Incubation for FVR is around 7-14 days post vaccination, so vaccinating immediately is a good step. Incubation for Rabies is approx 10 days to 30 days, so the Rabies vaccination should also be given. FELV should also be given since you don't have a history on her, nor her vaccination status, but you need to test her for it first. Depending on her age and health status will depend on the need for boosters.

Your vet should be able to check for a prior spay scar. If he can't find one, he could try ultrasonography, but most vets prefer to schedule a spay on any cat without a visible scar or spay records/history.

I assume your resident cat was last vaccinated 4 years ago? If so, what vaccinations were last given? Was he vaccinated for FVRCP and FELV and Rabies? If so, he is afforded some protection, but as you know, without annual or every-three-year intervals, not all vaccinations are fool-proof, and older cats may be more susceptible to viruses and secondary complications from those viruses. (for example, if the new female had a URI, your older cat could contract it more easily. In the case of a reported virulent strain of calicivirus, adult and older cats are actually more at risk)

Just asking, but have you checked lost and found ads in your local paper? You should attempt to find that out before just taking her in, in the event someone could be looking for her.

[alleysmom]

The stray cat was abandoned by her deadbeat family about 5 weeks ago, although she's been hanging around our house for maybe 6 months.

My cat was last fully vaccinated 4 years ago.

I don't want to take any chances with my cat.

Alley's Mom

[Traci]

Again, what vaccs were given your cat? I ask, because many owners don't vaccinate for FELV, then get a new cat and the new cat isn't vaccinated appropriately either.

Assuming your kitty had ALL the vaccinations noted above, and had a good history of vaccination protection, and is in excellent health, and providing the new kitty is tested and vaccinated for all three vaccinations, chances are, your resident kitty will be ok. I would however suggest that after having the new female tested and vaccinated, to retest her for FELV/FIV 4-12 weeks later (providing she is an adult cat)...just an extra safegaurd.

[mamabear]

I have to stress this..... Please heed Traci's warnings and suggestions. I live in NJ and do understand NY nights and the chill that is coming. No doubt that she will be cold and will need shelter. BUT please do not let her "inside" the home just because you are scared of a cold night. Maybe the garage in a cat cage lined with a blanket and a litter pan in there as well.

DO you own or rent house? are you in an appt? Where is female hanging around and did you ever see the deadbeat family that left her? If so do you know if kitty was sleeping outside this whole time? or did they have a place for her out there with shelter that she is still going?

She needs to be vet checked asap. The longer you wait the more you are going to be upset that she has to spend the winter outside.

What is the reason why you say the vaccinations almost killed your male cat?
Traci are the shots that were used 4 years ago the same as they use now?
I am very curious as to find out what reaction kitty had to the shots? I have never seen that before in the 16 years I have dealt with animals.

[Traci]

Mamabear, it is always possible that a vaccine or combination of vaccines could cause reactions, some reactions are serious, causing vomiting, fever activity, lethargy. Emergency veterinary care is crucial in those situations. To avoid these reactions, vaccinations (core vaccines at least), should be spaced apart by 4 weeks (boosters should also be spaced apart), the vet can also give benedryl prior to a vaccine to minimize a potential reaction. (owners, do NOT do this on your own!). Despite these measures, some cats still react to vaccines. In those situations, at least the core/first or second annuals should be given to afford protection, then either an every three-year approach, or, if the owner can ensure indoors only with NO risks to the cat, then cessation of vaccines altogether could be opted. Risk factors include: letting the cat outdoors, exposing the cat to environments with unvaccinated cats, sick cats, facilities that are not stingent on vaccination policies (boarding, grooming, showing, catteries, breeders, etc), bringing in a new cat where no health/vaccination history is known, a resident with poor or no vaccination history, or older, immunocompromised cats.

The vaccines are largely the same today as 4 years ago, save for a couple new ones, and protocols which suggest vaccinating every three years (for core vaccines) instead of annually. Again, the risk factors need to be taken into account when choosing what and when the vaccines are given. Most vaccine manufacturers only license/recommend their vaccines for annual use because they do not have studies to suggest immunity beyond one year. It may be suggested that immunity can last longer, but there isn't enough data to support this...one study done left the veterinary community divided, due to biased information, omission of information, etc. So, it's up to the owner and his/her vet to choose what is most tailored to the individual pet's needs and risk factors. Ultimately, vaccines protect against deadly disease, and the benefits far outweigh the risks.

[mamabear]

Excellent info, thank you for letting me know.