Hi everyone,
I posted here awhile back about adopting a kitten or adult cat. I decided to wait a while until I found the right kitten.
A week ago, my friend found four stray kittens. My friend kept them and has been caring for them around the clock for a week. He's getting exhausted and wants to find them new homes asap. He is keeping one and two already have great homes waiting for them. He didn't have much luck with a rescue, and a lot of the shelters around here euthanize. They've been to the vet, but haven't been tested for anything. Last week, the vet estimated that they were 4 weeks old.
He asked me to take one, and I would like to, but naturally have a lot of concerns before I decide.
1) We have an almost adult cat. He's actually my boyfriend's cat. My boyfriend has never vaccinated him for FeLV or FIV because he is inside only and has never been around other cats. However, he would get him vaccinated if we keep the kitten.
How to I handle this? How soon would a vaccine protect him in the event that the kitten is ill?
2) The kittens are still very young. I would prefer that my friend keep them together longer, but I don't think he wants to. They are eating, relieving themselves, and playing actively. Is it dangerous to separate them at 5 weeks?
3) What should I expect when I take the kitten to the vet?
4) How long should the kitten be kept quarantined from our other cat to prevent anything unsafe?
I know this might be controversial considering how young the kittens are. I could use any advice to help me make this decision. I'm already in love with this kitten, but I want to be responsible. Please help!
I am very concerned about the health of our first cat, which is why I posted this here instead of the strays folder. I can move it if this is the wrong place.
I posted here awhile back about adopting a kitten or adult cat. I decided to wait a while until I found the right kitten.
A week ago, my friend found four stray kittens. My friend kept them and has been caring for them around the clock for a week. He's getting exhausted and wants to find them new homes asap. He is keeping one and two already have great homes waiting for them. He didn't have much luck with a rescue, and a lot of the shelters around here euthanize. They've been to the vet, but haven't been tested for anything. Last week, the vet estimated that they were 4 weeks old.
He asked me to take one, and I would like to, but naturally have a lot of concerns before I decide.
1) We have an almost adult cat. He's actually my boyfriend's cat. My boyfriend has never vaccinated him for FeLV or FIV because he is inside only and has never been around other cats. However, he would get him vaccinated if we keep the kitten.
How to I handle this? How soon would a vaccine protect him in the event that the kitten is ill?
2) The kittens are still very young. I would prefer that my friend keep them together longer, but I don't think he wants to. They are eating, relieving themselves, and playing actively. Is it dangerous to separate them at 5 weeks?
3) What should I expect when I take the kitten to the vet?
4) How long should the kitten be kept quarantined from our other cat to prevent anything unsafe?
I know this might be controversial considering how young the kittens are. I could use any advice to help me make this decision. I'm already in love with this kitten, but I want to be responsible. Please help!
I am very concerned about the health of our first cat, which is why I posted this here instead of the strays folder. I can move it if this is the wrong place.
