Practical Actions for Semi-Feral with a Cold

Eveyone was healthy until I brought them inside.

I had to take one to the vet because he got a few scratches - he came home from the vet's office only to be so stressed that he got a cold.

This cat was the stray, Gray, FIV, and I was/am keeping him inside - he just got out on me.

I've been working on gradually bringing them all in.

Meanwhile ---
His son, Jr. (and his mommy, and sister) - were/was still basically living outside, coming in to lounge and/or eat - but mostly outside - while I was working to gradually bring them all in - but, not before another tom decided to beat him up. I suspect it was the same tom that Gray ran off ?

So, I was able to get his son into a carrier and take him to the vet. A very timely thing - he had a 107 temp with the two wounds we found.

Jr. is doing okay as of now, and is inside - also permanently.

The queen came in - as was her practice - for the night - and as a fluke, the daughter wanted to come in for the night. So I let her in, too - and considered them all now inside cats.

Problem - not enough space to separate them from the contagious Gray with his cold. I kept them separated successfully for a few days, then they somehow broke into the foyer where Gray was. I got them separated again.

The other problem: I can only handle Gray - the others are still very frightened of me, and I have only been able to barely stroke Jr.'s back and tail - the two girls are another story - and, the queen, Gigi, well, let's just say she'd be too wild for me to handle and she'll have to be too sick/weak to fight me before I could get her into a carrier.

So, now - just like clock work, Gigi and her daughter, Pippy, are showing signs of having the cold virus. Gigi has been sleeping, some eating and drinking water - no other symptoms other than the occasional sneeze, and more sleeping/hiding than usual. Tonight I especially was watching Pippy because I haven't actually seen her eat. I have heard the occasional sneeze and she's been more quiet than usual. Then I saw her drooling tonight. The drool is clear, no eye watering, oh, and there is some mouth breathing.

An issue: Neither of these former 3 ferals have had any vaccines except the rabies - and that was when I first trapped them and had them altered about 2 years ago.

I'd have them to the vet in a minute if I could catch them without additional stress - to all of us -, and if I thought the vet could give them meds to help. From what I've been reading (this is one website: http://www.vetinfo.com/cat-cold-symptoms.html ), the cold is a virus, and antibiotic wouldn't help them.

What else should I look for so that I know it's worth my life and limb in order to capture these girls and get them to the vet?

I will be calling my vet tomorrow. I find this situation almost impossible because I can't separate the healthy from the unhealthy. If they were outside they probably would not have even gotten this thing! ugh!!

I especially don't want Gray to get the cold again - although he is still sneezing occasionally - but then, the Convenia that he got 14 days ago would be no longer the protection for the URI that could result - I'm going to ask if he can be re-infected ... okay - I'm going in circles.

I'm kind of exhausted with all the new transitions, and vet trips, and trying to keep these precious cats from being sick or sicker.

Because of vet costs - usually about a $300 visit each time - I figure I need to become more educated in knowing when I should panic, and when I should recognize that a healthy cat will get over a cold in due time, without meds, if it doesn't escalate into something more serious. I don't want to go to the vet's for nothing and spend money I don't have, only having to return because of the cold turning into an infection and needing antibiotics.

I hope I've made some sense - it's almost 1 a.m., and I didn't get to bed last night before 4 a.m. - with no nap today - because of the household full of cats - which are either playing, fighting, howling, or crying.

Thanks for reading this - now to put litter in the room where the girls are (here in the office with me), food and water, and try and protect the doors from all the clawing from Gray who doesn't want to be confined in a room without me ... etc..

Between this sentence and the last, I've now confined Gray into the laundry room, Jr. into the Family room, and the girls in this room. We'll see how long that lasts. .

Hopefully everyone will be well by the time my husband gets home next Tuesday/Wednesday because this place is impossible (almost) to walk around in without going through a closed door, locked door, or some sort of barrier.

Good night, eerr Morning.

To clear one thing up. With cats the most common viruses are caught and lay dormant until times of stress when the immune system weakens. It's more likely you're seeing these cats sick from stress than them suddenly catching something new from each other when they had formally all been together (virus would have spread back then).

Depending on the virus, if herpes, l-lysine can help. It can be sneaked into food and water and won't harm them if it's not herpes. (it just won't do as much)

Call your vet and explain the situation. There may be some medicine that can be given as pills - if small enough you can stash them in pill pockets.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

To clear one thing up. With cats the most common viruses are caught and lay dormant until times of stress when the immune system weakens. It's more likely you're seeing these cats sick from stress than them suddenly catching something new from each other when they had formally all been together (virus would have spread back then).

Depending on the virus, if herpes, l-lysine can help. It can be sneaked into food and water and won't harm them if it's not herpes. (it just won't do as much)

Call your vet and explain the situation. There may be some medicine that can be given as pills - if small enough you can stash them in pill pockets.

Click to expand...

Stress: got it - I figured I kinda got a double wammy -
... yes, being trapped inside with all the new sounds, and activity is a definite stress factor here, but it didn't help that Gray's vet visit resulted in the virus becoming active, and now contagious to the others who are experiencing their captivity stress already. Am I wrong to think that?

I was really trying to prevent that "captivity stress" by letting them come inside gradually to become familiar with our household activities and feel safe inside, but circumstances maybe rushed the process (?).

For the life of me, I just can't see me trying to give a pill to a -almost- feral cat. I can't even touch her yet - and any attempts would seem to add more stress > causing her immune system further difficulty. I would have a hard time doctoring my very tame cats, much less one that is fighting for her life. ??

This morning Pippy is being vocal again, there's no mucus, haven't heard a sneeze, and she is eating.
Her mommy is up and around more - I did hear one sneeze, but otherwise she also appears to be successful in fighting the virus.

So, I don't know if I have the energy to try and get a response from the Vet because we appear to be moving in a positive direction - but, I'm going to try anyway - even if it's just leaving a voice mail.

I almost asked the moderator to pull my posting because it's just the ramblings of an overwhelmed, and tired, furmommy trying to do the right thing even if I am without sleep.

Thanks for your kind help.
g

I called the Vet - she's in surgery - left a voicemail message.
I hate telephone tag.

Originally Posted by GloriaJH

I almost asked the moderator to pull my posting because it's just the ramblings of an overwhelmed, and tired, furmommy trying to do the right thing even if I am without sleep.

Click to expand...

Aww, there's lots of stressed rambling posts on here. No need to worry that yours was wrong to make.

Pill pockets are a soft treat with a hollowed part in the center that you insert the pill into then pinch closed. For the cats that will eat them, they think they're simply getting a treat. You could also try using a bit of a soft cheese (like american cheese) for this.

My suggestion is that you may not be dealing with a new virus for any of them, they've probably spread this amongst each other before. Sort of like how a lot of cats have herpes or have had a calicivirus.

Are you running some feliway diffusers and trying bachs rescue remedy? If not, it's worth a shot - provided they can smell the feliway.

I hope the vet gets back to you soon.

By now, all four have been through their colds. The last one is still sneezing, although very infrequently.

The other four have been separated from the sickies. I've tried to be very careful and the work has paid off.

I didn't have to take anyone into the vet, nor give meds.

WHAT A RELIEF!

Experience is a hard teacher - but - having friends help you through issues helps provide a positive lesson and outcome.

Thanks for your suggestions, and encouragement!