Shelter Cats & Contagious Diseases?

I am thinking of adopting a particular shelter cat. At the same time, I've been researching about potential health risks to my resident cat if I bring home a shelter kitty.

I am really paranoid about passing on any contagious/infectious diseases to my cat. A little TOO paranoid, probably.

The cat that I'm specifically interested in is a neutered male, approximately 2 years old. He was found abandoned outside, living under a shed. Despite all this, he is very friendly and affectionate. The shelter said the adoption fee does not include FIV/FeLV testing, so I have to get that done on my own. That is fine, but then I read that the FIV blood test can't distinguish between antibodies from vaccination vs. antibodies from the real disease. This cat most likely was vaccinated very recently.

What do most people do in this situation?

There's no way I can keep them separate while I wait to do another test down the road. Plus, I read that it can show a false positive up to 1 year after vaccination.

Then there is the issue of the herpes virus. I know it generally is not fatal to cats and can be easily manageable with some supplements, but...my cat doesn't have it now and I'd prefer to keep it that way.

I love my cat and he is my first priority, so I am extremely worried about harming him by bringing in a cat of unknown history. But I really want this kitty and he deserves a loving forever home. If I had no other cats at home, I wouldn't be stressing about this at all.

Any suggestions as to what to do or how this can be managed? Anything else I need to be aware of?

I would have the shelter cat brought to the vet the very next day for an examination and blood test (FIV and FeLV). Are there any other necessary tests I should have done asap?

Thanks for reading!

I adopted my first cat from a shelter (actually, she was kept at the local Petsmart). I adopted my next cat from the same place a few months later. Both were adults (about three years old, was the vet guess), both were picked up as strays, and both had been at the shelter and Petsmart for a few months (one was grey, the other black - and being adults just added to the strikes against them). Withe second cat I went immediately to my own vet's office for a check up - this practice is really good about scheduling new adoption visits so you don't have to go home first. I had the same concerns you did. Luckily, both cats were completely healthy. My guy later developed struvite crystals, but that could happen in any event.


My best advice would be to speak to your own vet regarding testing, and based on their advice, schedule an appointment right after you pick up the kitty, should you go forward - don't even make a stop at home first. I think your own vet would be familiar with your cat's history and could give you informed suggestions about just the right level of paranoia is right in the situation.

It's probably less than you think, but you're right in your concern, I think - not all shelters are created equal, and we've all heard stories of really bad illnesses being easily transmitted in such close quarters.

As far as herpes, many people have cats that are carriers but don't know it as stress is what brings on a full blown attack, however upper respiratory infections (herpes and otherwise) tend to be present in shelters because the cats generally have lower immune systems from not eating etc when on the streets and have not been vaccinated before.

As far as FIV/FeLV testing, have they vaccinated for it, most shelters in Canada do not do vaccinations other than FVRCCP for the simple reason that the risks are low of them catching it in a home and they do not want them testing positive because of the vaccine.

Whenever someone at our local shelter said they wanted to test for something, we gave them an extended return note that allowed them to return the cat for a refund if the test was positive, but I would check the policies on positive cats there too. Whenever we have got a false positive on a test, it has shown negative when we test 6 weeks later, if they don't get a negative on the second, they usually are really positive (or have vaccine antibodies).

The vet will decide on testing depending on the background of the cat, but I like to get bloodwork when I adopt a new one just to have a baseline for later if they get sick so we have a better idea of what their norm is

I honestly don't worry much about FIV, it is not as easily spread as FeLV. The FeLV is what concerns me, and I would definitely test for it. I only test once, unless they go outdoors. I believe generally with FeLV there are more false positives than false negatives.

I've brought home tons of cats to foster - most common things that are easily transmitted are ringworm, coccidia, & giardia. I'd check to see if this kitty has had a fecal done, if not I'd definitely do so.

The likeliest problems are things like giardia and other intestinal parasites, herpes, stuff like that. We always take the cat to the vet before we ever take it home. Our vet (who is on the shelter's board) will always get them in immediately.

Originally Posted by darlili

My best advice would be to speak to your own vet regarding testing, and based on their advice, schedule an appointment right after you pick up the kitty, should you go forward - don't even make a stop at home first.

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Originally Posted by mrblanche

We always take the cat to the vet before we ever take it home. Our vet (who is on the shelter's board) will always get them in immediately.

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Thank you. I did think of that, but this cat is not local and requires a 2-hour drive there and 2-hour drive back. The only time I could pick him up is on the weekend and my regular vet is not open on weekends. I will try calling around and see if anyone will still be open by the time we get back, but IF I have to wait until the next day, and assuming that I keep them separated and take sanitary precautions, I should be okay, right?

I could confine the new cat to the bathroom with the door closed and hope nothing, if anything, gets transmitted through the slit at the bottom of the door if my cat goes and sniffs.

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

As far as herpes, many people have cats that are carriers but don't know it as stress is what brings on a full blown attack, however upper respiratory infections (herpes and otherwise) tend to be present in shelters because the cats generally have lower immune systems from not eating etc when on the streets and have not been vaccinated before.

As far as FIV/FeLV testing, have they vaccinated for it, most shelters in Canada do not do vaccinations other than FVRCCP for the simple reason that the risks are low of them catching it in a home and they do not want them testing positive because of the vaccine.

Whenever someone at our local shelter said they wanted to test for something, we gave them an extended return note that allowed them to return the cat for a refund if the test was positive, but I would check the policies on positive cats there too. Whenever we have got a false positive on a test, it has shown negative when we test 6 weeks later, if they don't get a negative on the second, they usually are really positive (or have vaccine antibodies).

The vet will decide on testing depending on the background of the cat, but I like to get bloodwork when I adopt a new one just to have a baseline for later if they get sick so we have a better idea of what their norm is

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All good ideas, thanks! You're right - I think most shelters here and even pet owners just give the combo shot. I wasn't thinking clearly and assumed FIV and FeLV were part of the combo even though I specifically requested not to have those done for my own cat when he was a kitten. I am relieved that it may not be as difficult as I imagined it to be.

I don't think there is a policy on returning positive cats, but I will ask just in case.

I'll get the full blood panel + FIV/FeLV done.

Originally Posted by white cat lover

I honestly don't worry much about FIV, it is not as easily spread as FeLV. The FeLV is what concerns me, and I would definitely test for it. I only test once, unless they go outdoors. I believe generally with FeLV there are more false positives than false negatives.

I've brought home tons of cats to foster - most common things that are easily transmitted are ringworm, coccidia, & giardia. I'd check to see if this kitty has had a fecal done, if not I'd definitely do so.

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Regardless of the what the shelter tells me, I'll add the fecal test to my list of things to have done, thanks. Guess I can't do anything about ringworm but pray he doesn't have it.

Any good shelter will try to keep ringworm positive cats at the vets because it spreads so quickly, especially in a shelter where there are so many other cats to spread it to. But you can have your vet run a black light over him quickly to check

Make sure your kitty is well vaccinated.

All of my kitties (with the exception of one who was a feral baby taken in by my aunt and uncle after an almost critical injury) were adopted at local animal shelters. And, they were all adopted at different times and, in one case, a different shelter.

If there was one piece of advice I could offer to someone looking to bring a new cat into their home, it would be this: quarantine. I know that there are many on this board who have not quarantined and have had no negative results, but, in my experience, quarantining a cat is the best thing you can do to ensure both cats' health. Another thing, which has been discussed at length already on this post, is to take the new kitty to the vet immediately to be vaccinated (if necessary), be tested for FeLV/FIV, have a fecal done, and a general physical exam. The combo snap test for FeLV/FIV is usually accurate in adult cats (unless you get a positive -- then more testing should be requested), but with kittens it is recommended to retest. With my kitten, he was tested twice before being introduced to my current cats. Make sure the cat has been treated for fleas and then put them in a bathroom or spare bedroom for some time. My adult cats brought into the house were quarantined for 2 weeks and my kitten was quarantined much longer (due to some issues and concerns I had). This allowed for my all cats to be protected from potential illness as well as allowed them to acclimate without additional stress. I know there may be other ways to go about bringing a new cat into the home, but this is was has worked for me.

I don't think it is foolish to be concerned about the welfare of your current cat. But, I also think that most of your fears can be assuaged by working out an arrangement that works for you and yours. I wouldn't necessarily let your fears stand in the way of your adopting another kitty, but I would take precaution where it is warranted. And, if you are unable or are unwilling to do so, then maybe now is not the right time for another cat to be brought into the home (I'm not saying this is true, I'm just putting it out there). Or, perhaps, that cat is not the right cat (again, just throwing the idea out there -- no judgement on my part).

Good on you for doing your research before jumping in blind. I hope you're able to work out a way that will allow you to adopt another kitty. Please continue to ask questions. I did -- and it's been a tremendous help.

If you are seriously worried about ringworm, you can do more than pray and rely on the black light, which won't detect it at least half the time.

Here are a few scenarios that would be cause for you to be concerned: if the shelter has had cases in recent months (ask them). If ringworm is common in your area (ask at the vet). If the vet finds a suspicious spot during that first check-up (make sure he or she inspects the cat's whole head and claws, especially). If you have one of these reasons to suspect ringworm, have the vet do a toothbrush culture (cost should be under $100, likely much less). It takes three weeks to get a negative result (positives can be quicker).

If a culture is necessary, you should isolate the cat while you wait for the result (keeping in mind that ringworm is airborne) and start topical treatments (antifungal baths, or stinky but effective lime-sulfur dips). While these are no fun, they will help prevent any spores from spreading to your other cat (and you) — while treating the problem. They cause no harm if done correctly, won't hurt a healthy cat, and will shorten the treatment process if you do get a positive result. (By the way, most vets will not board cats with ringworm; it's too contagious. You'll likely need to quarantine the cat at home.)

Ringworm is a great reason to take the cat straight to the vet before bringing him home.

I'm paranoid because I adopted a kitten who developed it. Her shelter wasn't aware of it at the time; they've been battling it for five months now. It's very hard, especially if you have more than one cat and you have carpeting, etc. Treating one cat is much easier, cheaper, and quicker than treating multiple cats. And cleaning, say, a bathroom every day is much easier than spending weeks or months vacuuming and wiping down the whole house every day, because your new cat had been making himself at home everywhere! (Like mine did.)

I don't mean to alarm you, but it's better to be aware and forewarned. If none of those scenarios above fits, there's very little need to worry. It's just better to know what's possible and take preventive action when you can. I read about someone who fostered 400 kittens and cats before one turned up with ringworm. I hit the jackpot with my first feral shelter kitten.

Good luck, be brave, and congratulations on your new addition!

When I bring in a new cat I always keep the cat quarantined for 10-14 days to make sure that they haven't caught any virus that has not broken out yet. With adopting from a shelter there is a risk that this cat could have caught URI (upper respiratory infection) and it usually takes about a week from the time the cat catches it until he starts to show symptoms.
URI is rarely dangerous to adult cats but it is of course unpleasant for the cat. Nobody likes to be sick. If your cat is up to date on shots he is vaccinated against several of the viruses that caused URI but there are still viruses that he can get so it's a good idea to take precautions by separating the new cat in the beginning. You don't have to worry about your cat catching the URI through the slit at the bottom of the door. It's very highly unlikely that something like that would happen. You should wash your hands with antibacterial soap after handling the new cat though as a precaution.
Another thing you can do to help keep your cat well is to boost his immune system by giving him L-Lysine twice a day starting a few days before the new cat comes. I'd also give the new cat Lysine too in case he has caught URI to lessen the symptoms and speed up his recovery. You can get Lysine gels online that is made for cats and tastes good but if you want to save some money and time you can also get Lysine pills in any healthfood store or pharmacy, crush them and mix them with some canned food for your cat.

Like someone else mentioned it's unlikely that the shelter this cat is from has vaccinated him for FeLV and FIV especially since you say that they don't test for it. Cats should always be tested for FIV/FeLV before they are vaccinated. I also don't know of any shelter that vaccinated against FIV/FeLV and my vet doesn't recommend getting the vaccines for several reasons. So if this cat has not been vaccinated for these viruses a test is very reliable and you can feel safe about introducing the new cat to your cat.
Keep in mind too that FIV/FeLV are quite rare and only affect less than about 5% of cats. Less in some areas. The viruses are also not that easy to catch if the cats are not mating or biting each other. FIV is actually pretty hard tp spread among spayed and neutered indoor cats. I know of people that have FIV positive cats live with among their negative cats without anyone else catching it. It spreads like HIV in humans and as you know you don't get HIV by living with someone who has it.

I would not worry about the new cat having ringworm unless the shelter has had an outbreak among cats that have been with your new cat. Shelters are usually pretty good at isolating affected cats and it's not that common. It's also not dangerous and can be completely cured. You can usually see if the cat has ringworm unless he has been infected very recently. How long has the cat been at the shelter? If he's been at the shelter more than a couple of weeks and they don't have a widespread outbreak of ringworm there is no reason to worry. If you are worried you can do a blacklight test if your vet has one.

I think you should go for it and adopt this cat. You can ensure that he doesn't have anhything contagious that spreads to your cat by quarantining him for 10-14 days and having him examined by a vet as soon as you can after you bring him home. It doesn't have to be the same day since you are not going to let the two cats meet right away anyway.

It's good to take precations but you don't have to be paranoid. If you want to take extra precautions and have the money to spend you can ask your vet to do blood work - a CBC and a chem - that will let your vet know if there is anything abnormal going on with the cat. But in my opinion full bloodwork is a bit overkill.

Good luck with your new kitty. He's lucky to get such a good home with such a caring and responsible mama. Please post pictures when you get him home

Thank you everyone. I have read each and every response and have spoken to the vet about it. I ended up adopting him two days ago and we were able to see the vet immediately. The SNAP test showed him negative for both FeLV and FIV. He will be dewormed again and then I will bring in a fecal sample. He'll be quarantined for two weeks as per the vet's recommendation before joining the rest of the household.

I posted pics of him in the Fur Pics forum (re: Orson, my new adoptee).

Thanks again!