Chances of contagious diseases amongst cats?

Question

I felt sorry for a stray cat, and bought it in for the past two nights to find it a home. I already have a cat, who is my baby, and I am worried about any diseases the other cat may be able to pass on to my cat. I was going to be getting her shots this week (for my cat), so she is not up to date on some of her vaccines yet. What are the chances of her catching something dangerous from a stray who appears to be healthy? I plan on calling the vet tomorrow and make her vaccine appointment tomorrow, but I am worried it might be too late. Do not tell me I am a bad owner, I planned on getting my cat her shots, and will do so still. I love my cat, and want to make sure I do everything I can to keep her safe. We did keep the cats seperated, but the other kitten cried all night. Also, anything they can pass each other by sharing food dishes/litter box/ living quarters or scratching? Sorry if I sound paranoid, just a worried "mom".

The other cat is fairly young, not too young, but still small. My cat is actually older, 2 years old perhaps, but unknown since I got her as an adult cat. She was a shelter cat and I doubt she had her shots before since she was abandoned, thats why I am concerned. I am finally able to afford her shots, and have been planning on doing it for a few weeks now.

Also, they have been together now. My room mate accidently left the door open when he went to work, and they were together all afternoon without me knowing it, though the new cat seems to avoid my cat like the plague, my cat wants to smell her and play. The new cat hisses and growls and I would be afraid she could have attacked my cat earlier without me realizing it. Again, maybe I am just paranoid.

Answer 1

Definitely best to keep them separated for now at least.

If the stray seems healthy, then hopefully it is, but you've no way of being absolutely sure. It may be carrying viruses such as feline herpes (one of the diseases that makes up the complex inaccurately called "cat flu"), which could be contracted by your cat if she's not up to date with her vaccinations. If it's truly a stray, then it's almost certainly got flea and worm infestations as well.

It also would be a good idea if you can to get the stray tested for feline leukaemia and FIV ("feline AIDS")...feline leukaemia is spread in saliva (so through sharing bowls, grooming each other, etc.) and FIV is spread mainly via scratch and bite wounds.

Good luck with finding a home for your stray, and I hope both stay happy and healthy!

Answer 2

After having lost one cat, I won't bring a stray into the house until it has been seen by a vet. I've found that food, water and a cardboard box with some old tee-shirts will usually keep the cat around until I can get it to the vet. The least you can end up with is a flea infestation.

We now have two indoor cats that never go out and three outdoor cats that never come in. The outdoor cats usually migrate into boxes in the garage during the winter. I put a 60 watt lamp under a tin and they snuggle up to it when it gets really cold.

Answer 3

It's possible, but look at it this way, many people let their cats out where there are feral cats and they don't get sick. You have them seperated, because of this I would say the chances are pretty remote. I think you are saying the other one is a kitten, if it's abandoned kitten and want to keep it, the Humane Society will take care of it's shots and neuter it for you for a much lower fee than the vet would charge. Wait till you have them both shot before you allow them togethor. P.S. I think you are kind for taking it in. If the kitten cried all night, someone probably dumped the poor thing.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

I don't know what you are getting your cat vaccinated for - vaccines are effective over longer periods of time and don't usually have to be repeated too often. If it is part of the kitten series she will be alright until you get the next one. You don't mention the age of your cat or the approximate age of the stray.

Keeping them separate is very important until the stray has seen a vet and been tested for the most dangerous diseases. It sounds as if they are both kittens. I would not worry as long as they are separate. The stray kitten will be lonely by himself and that is just the way it needs to be. If he is fed and protected and spends some time alone it will not hurt him.

Be at peace tonight and take care of these things as soon as you can.

Answer 6

Actually your cat is in more danger of getting something from the stray that is NOT covered by vaccines. FIV, (the feline form of AIDS) Felv, (leukemia, covered by shots however) and ringworm are the worst of the bunch. Other things include fleas, tapeworms, and coccidia can also be transmitted very quickly, but those are easily treatable. You should quarantine your cat and take both to the vet for simple tests to make sure all is well :)

Answer 7

Yeah, there are a few diseases they can pass on to each other. Off the top of my head I can think of feline leukemia and FIV-cats HIV, passed on from their saliva usually from biting. As far as the feline leukemia, not sure exactly how that's transmitted, but a vet told me they could pass it through a screen on a window. Just keep the appointment for the shots, and tell your vet about the kitten. The vet can advise you better and what to look for.

Answer 8

a solid genetic history for toughness would be unable to be discounted. Given proper care, foodstuff, and popular veterinary visits, a cat stored indoors can stay as long as 21 years or greater. (the popular age of cats is 12-15 years) it is, of path, barring any extreme wellness circumstances or untimely injuries. Cats that are indoors-outdoors many times do no longer final to the the popular age with the aid of fact of site visitors injuries, scuffling with with different cats, intentional acts of violence, poisoning (unintentional or intentional), ailments caught from different cats, being picked up via animal administration and as a result euthanized if no longer claimed, and dying led to via predators. "Stray cats" AKA "feral cats" many times do no longer stay greater desirable than a pair of years with the aid of fact of starvation or all the above. •The Oldest residing Cat in accordance to the Guinness worldwide checklist (of 2002 - now no longer available on line), the oldest residing cat became then a cat from Victoria, Australia, named Kataleena lady. She became born in 1977, making her 25, an insignificant teenager, whilst in comparison with different claims. •One source says the longest-lived cat became in Devon, England; a tabby named Puss, who handed on presently after his thirty 6th birthday, in 1939 •In 2007, a black cat named toddler in Duluth, MN became claimed to be 37 via his vendors. •Manx and Siamese have been pronounced as being between the longest-lived pedigreed cats. •The Jaguar is asserted to be the longest-lived species of cat, now and lower back accomplishing 30 years.

Answer 9

cat scratch fever