Looking to Adopt, but the cat is sick.

I like to see them have a few days to relax in one room....but it depends on the kitties. If they're doing well, just leave the door open & let them explore on their own.

The others have given some good advice, so I don't need to repeat what they've already said. Besides, they probably know more than I do, anyway..

One of my strays had a problem with pus & runny eyes, which cleared up on it's own after proper food & nutrition. That's not to say that you probably shouldn't have your little guy checked over by the vet, but improper nutrition and added stress can be a big factor in a healthy or unhealthy cat - and most strays and/or shelter cats are in an unhealthy environment and under a lot of stress. URI's are also previlent in shelters - I've brought home quite a few shelter cats that had a URI, which cleared up with the proper care and nutrition..

Two of my furbabies that I have now have the dry form of FIP, and will be on Interferon the rest of their (hopefully) long lives. I did not know this when I adopted them: but if I would have known, I probably still would have taken them, anyway - in spite of their illness, and the cost of taking care of them. They are two of the most precious cats I've ever had, and I do not regret getting them. I know I'll be heartbroken when their time comes, but I'm still glad I have them: I will cherish every moment I have with them, no matter how long it is..

I personally think that your new furbaby's problems will most likely clear up with the proper care & nutrition..

~KK~

Should I bring them in ASAP, like tomorrow or Saturday or should I wait and let them adjust a few more days? Thanks for the replies as always!!!

Originally Posted by fathom

Should I bring them in ASAP, like tomorrow or Saturday or should I wait and let them adjust a few more days? Thanks for the replies as always!!!

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Well, they probably don't need anymore stress at this point, but you probably shouldn't wait too long, either. URI's should really be treated as soon as possible, if that's what it really is. I guess I would call the vet, to get his opinion..

~KK~

Update:

My H took Chip to the vet this morning and they think he has an Upper Respitory infection, they gave us a 14 day supply of antibitoics and told us to bring him in for a follow up in five days. They said for the next five days to keep him and Scott seperated (do you think that is necessary, since they are new to the house they rely on each other for comfort).

So I have some questions, is an Upper Respitory infection cronic, the shelter organixer said Chip had cronic runny noses? I asked the vet when I called them today and they said they would not be able to tell us unless they had the records for the vet the shelter used.

Should be keep them seperated? They both like to sleep with us at night and I hate to isolate either one?

Is there any home remidies we can give to Chip to help?

Thanks.

I'm inclined to say keep them together....as they've already exposed each other & they'll be happier together.

I can't help with the medical stuff, but congrats on the kitties! I just adopted two as well this past week so I know your excitement! They are very lucky to have someone who considered so carefully the duties of owning pets rather than just taking the cutest cheapest thing they could find.

My two immediatly had full house reign... well that was after 30 minutes of playing in a single room and seeing that they had awesome outgoing personalities that could handle the whole place.

I agree about keeping them together. They have already exposed each other and they'd be much happier together then apart. I think the benefits of togetherness outweigh the risks in the situation.

Again, CONGRATS!

Thank you both, I agree with you! Scott and Chip have been together at the foster home and shelter so I think any risk has already been taken. If Scott does get sick we will take him into the vet but he has been vaccinated and fine thus far. They have ful reign of the house minus my brother-in-law's bedoom and both bathrooms. I do keep them in the room with me and my H at night. Tonight will be different since he has to stay up all night, I will leave the bedroom door open for them to come and go as they please.

4blueyes, congrats on your new cats as well. We are so excited. My H told me at lunch today that when he thinks about Chip he gets teary eyed, we are already so much in love with them. So far we have spent $500 on getting them, supplies and vet bills and have no regrets. We talked at lunch and decided that number one we want these two guys to have the best quality of life no matter what that takes.

It's probably OK to let them stay together. As I mentioned Stan had one heck of a URI when we got him and Bella stayed pretty healthy. It's probably more stressful to seperate them.

Oh, my husband just called and Scott went pooh behind our TV. Our last cat went pee back there, do you think Scott was trying to cover up the scent? Or this this something we should be worried about?

Sorry for all the questions. I am a little nervouse having two new cats. Thanks!

Originally Posted by fathom

Oh, my husband just called and Scott went pooh behind our TV. Our last cat went pee back there, do you think Scott was trying to cover up the scent? Or this this something we should be worried about?

Sorry for all the questions. I am a little nervouse having two new cats. Thanks!

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I would say it probably smells back there since your other cat peed back there. You need to buy some good urine cleaners and clean the area so it does not smell.

They also have a special light that you can go around your house with to detect the urine. It comes in handy sometimes!
I would think he was just trying to mark over the smell though, thats just my opinion though and Ive been wrong before...

Good morning all! My husband bought one of those Bissel Spot cleaners and cleaned the area (it not smell afterwards like it did when we would clean it would our old carpet shampooer). We also moved the litter box and food to the living room area.

Last night before dinner time I gave Chip a steam bath and it really helped his nose. We only had one issue, after the steam bath we heated up some of the wet food and put it down in the new area for him. Instead of eating it he started to scratch at the blanket we had put down under their food dishes. I kept thinking he must have to use the bathroom and the smell is making him think that's the litter area. I kept putting him near the litter box but he would not go in. My husband had to stay up last night and he told me that Chip was meowing a bit but then they both finally used the litter box in the new area.

I even put some new wet food out before I went to sleep (not warmed) and neither of them touched it. They do eat the dry food though.

Do you think Chip was associating the smell of the wet food with the litter box?

Congratulations on your new kitties!

Was he scratching around the food like he was trying to cover it up?
Often times, if cats are not hungry they will try to "cover" the food so they can come back for it later.

That is a good question. He went back a few times and scratched at the area, maybe he was. At first I moved him over to the litter box then I decided to see what would happen and the last time he scratched and then walked away from the food.

Mine will scratch to cover their food. They all do it, so I'm thinking it's instinct.

One thing I would call your vet and ask about, as Scott and Chip have already been exposed to each other is potentially getting the antibiotics and treating them at the same time. I'm not too up to date on URI's but I believe they are contagious.. so it may be better to see if they can be treated simultaneously especially if Scott is showing symptoms too. If you end up treating them at different times they may just pass it back and forth which will result in a much longer treatment period and ongoing issues.

A suggestion about the litter box issue is to put multiple litter boxes around the house. I'd put one, at least for a few months, in the area close to where they are pottying inappropriately. As long as they're kittens, keep in mind they're babies and may not make it a long distance to potty (just like kids, sometimes they don't realize they have to go until they *really* have to go)..a little later on, when they're a bit older, you can reduce the litter boxes to one per floor, possibly, although I'd also keep one in any room they may be locked into for any length of time.

A note on the food, water and litter box.. they should ultimately, all three, be in seperate places (according to cat behavioral studies).. a cat's natural preference is for them to be at least across the room from each other. That being said, mine have them all in a relatively close proximity and we have no issues with it..

A number of people (and books) recommend treating a soiled area with a product called Nature's Miracle. I've been pretty successful with just steam cleaning, but I have an industrial strength carpet steamer so, that may be why.

One other thing, I noticed that you mentioned Banfield. I have all of mine on plans at Banfield, and I swear by my vet there. He's awesome. Keep in mind, though, and you'll have to contact them about this to find out the details, that their plans are preventative maintanence, not insurance, but much like insurance, I believe that when I talked to them about a cat having an issue and putting them on the plan, they said that there's some problem with ongoing illnesses, but it may have been that they won't use things like included blood tests and so forth to detect those issues.. (my vet, however, has and will do whatever he can to reduce the cost and if he can use something on the plan so it's free, he'll do so). He doesn't necessarily abide by what Banfield itself says. The point there was, I'd check into what they cover if one of the kits has a chronic illness. The great thing, and the biggest reason why I have mine on it, is because I get free office visits.. CRAP!! I stepped on you, it's time to see Dr. B. Did I just hear you sneeze??? Off to Dr. B. Is that vomit? Who vomited? Off to see Dr. B.

Why are you crying while you're in the litter box? Why aren't you eating, why are you shivering.. is your paw hurt? Yes, needless to say, I'm a pain when it comes to the babies, but Banfield is an excellent source of preventing (and saving me money). I don't even believe in yearly vaccinations, but even without those, I still save a ton of money taking them for checkups. I'm probably a bit more over the top than most, though

Anyway... congrats on the little darlings!!! Kitties are wonderful!!!

Good point about bringing them in for preventative issues. I am actually going to bring in Scott tomorrow for a check up and to get him enrolled in Banfield. So I will see if they want to start him on the antibiodics. The only thing I have noticed with him are runny eyes, but they are clear.

Regarding the litter box, they are both around 8 months and already potty trained so I think it had to do with the smell from my last cat. I will look into Natures Miracle today on my lunch break. Thanks!

Update on Chip and Scott.

Chip is doing much better. He is running around playing and very energetic. His nose is much less runny and he sneezes less.

I took Scott to the vet and they said he sounded a little congested so they gave us some antibiodic (a smaller supply then Chip) and also eye ointment. Poog guy is not very happy with us. Twice a day we have to give his medicine. He did do very well at he vet. He seemed pretty relaxed when it was just us. He stayed next to me the whole time, and let me rub his tummy and purred. He did okay with the doctor's although he did not like it much. We have to take both of them back on Wednesday for a follow up and their full exams.

I hope Scott will forgive us soon! I would like him to trust us. He does still lay in bed with us but is leary when we walk by him otherwise.

Oh, and Scott did poo behind the TV again, so I cleaned it up and picked up some pet enzyme spray, then I got two boards and covered the area so he can't go back there. I also picked up a 2nd litter box.

Glad to know that they are doing better and that the vet visit went well! It really is rewarding taking care of those in need... it's definitely makes a bond b/t you two.. I'm having to give both of mine medicine daily..pills, liquid, drops... not fun or them or for me... but don't worry... after they've calmed down, love on them and they will love you back!!

Well, my cat is terrified of me because of medications I have to give him.
He doesn't let me nowhere near him if he can help it.
He's never gotten over being sick and medicated that first time he got sick.
And every time he starts trust me a little he gets sick again, then he has to get medicated again.
So, he is scared of me.
Every time he sees me coming he runs away.
Hopefully most cats aren't as freaky as him.