Should I get my in door Cat up to date with shots

Hi I was wondering. Should I get my indoor cat gwen up to date on her shots. I would like to try and bring my out door feral in the house. He is so friendly with my dog and me. I dont want him out another year in the cold if i dont have to. I dont know if my feral bell is carrying any thing. It took two years for me to pet him and now he just waits by the door for me. . Also I have a heated Igloo for him out side. But I just saw another cat house that is heated.It is rain poof but was I think that just might blow away. I love my 2 cats. I never thought I could be such a cat lover. I have had dogs all my life.

Originally Posted by linda carella

Hi I was wondering. Should I get my indoor cat gwen up to date on her shots. I would like to try and bring my out door feral in the house.

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Yes, I would definitely make sure your indoor cat is up to date on vaccines. I would give her a rabies vaccine, an FeLv vaccine, and whatever other ones your veterinarian recommends. Also has she been tested for: Feline Aids, FeLv, FIP, and so on? If not, I would have her tested for them as well .

I have two indoor/outdoor cats and two indoor cats. They all get EVERY vaccine due to the fact some have direct contact with the outside world and some have indirect contact.

Originally Posted by linda carella

He is so friendly with my dog and me. I dont want him out another year in the cold if i dont have to. I dont know if my feral bell is carrying any thing. It took two years for me to pet him and now he just waits by the door for me. . Also I have a heated Igloo for him out side. But I just saw another cat house that is heated.It is rain poof but was I think that just might blow away. I love my 2 cats. I never thought I could be such a cat lover. I have had dogs all my life.

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I would just make sure you test the outdoor cat for the following before bringing him indoors: FeLv, FIP, Feline Aids, and so on. Then give him the needed vaccines.

This is just my opinion. You need to do what you feel is best for you and your cats!

IMO, I'd have a nice chat with my vet and figure out the right protocols. My cats are indoor, but, of course, I go outside (and mosquitos come in). They get rabies every year (state law which I totally agree with), and other shots as the vet feels needed and discusses with me. I also treat them monthly with Revolution - the stats on heartworm, even up north and for inside kitties, are too troubling for me to ignore them.

I'd definitely get the outdoor boy examined by the vet before introducing him to your inside kitty and your dog.

Good luck - and it's amazing how cats can establish themselves in our hearts, isn't it?

AWWW what a wonderful "love" story. I would definitely bring this cat in but take some precautions first.

You indoor cat only needs to have an updated distemper vaccine and rabies (if county required only). I would not give the FeLK vaccine. There is much risk IMO involved in most vaccines. You can google "vaccinosis" to get more information about vaccines and the effects on our pets. It is a money making business also for drug companies and vets. After most initial dosing's as kittens and puppies, they are immune for many, many years.

Make sure when and if you decide to bring in the feral, take him directly to the vet from the carrier, have an appointment already set up. If he is not neutered, then get that done too. Have him tested for FeLK/FIV and all of his shots. Wormings and flea preventative as well. When you do bring him home, have a separate room for him to stay for a couple of weeks to make sure he healthy before even considering introducing him to your indoor cat. He will have worms, I am sure, so you want to make sure he is worm free before you let your other cat near his litter box. Do lots of scent swapping back and forth during that first week after his two week quarantine in his room. Then he can be let out for short periods under your supervision only. I would keep him in his room at first when you are not home, at least in the beginning. As they become friendly, then you can leave him out more and more, and let your cat into his room to investigate (after a negative fecal ). Good luck and yes, cats are absolutely wonderful little creatures

Originally Posted by Cat Person

Also has she been tested for: Feline Aids, FeLv, FIP, and so on? If not, I would have her tested for them as well

.

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Yes, she should make sure her cat is also negative for FeLK/FIV. There is no definitive test for FIP, unfortunately.

Nearly every veterinary diagnostic laboratory offers a “FIP test” to veterinarians. This test is simply a test to measure the presence of antibodies against coronaviruses. These coronavirus-specific antibodies are present in 80-90% of cats in catteries, and in 10-50% of cats in single-cat households. The presence of antibodies in the blood stream does not mean that the cat has FIP. Only 5-10% of coronavirus-infected cats develop FIP in a cattery setting, and the incidence is much less in a single-cat household.

Originally Posted by Feralvr

Yes, she should make sure her cat is also negative for FeLK/FIV. There is no definitive test for FIP, unfortunately.

Nearly every veterinary diagnostic laboratory offers a “FIP test†to veterinarians. This test is simply a test to measure the presence of antibodies against coronaviruses. These coronavirus-specific antibodies are present in 80-90% of cats in catteries, and in 10-50% of cats in single-cat households. The presence of antibodies in the blood stream does not mean that the cat has FIP. Only 5-10% of coronavirus-infected cats develop FIP in a cattery setting, and the incidence is much less in a single-cat household.

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I am a veterinarian technician hun, so yea I know how FIP works . But if the antibodies for FIP are very high, it is possible the cat could have FIP. If that is the case, plus the outdoor cat has other signs of FIP then I would assume the cat has FIP.

I am a firm believer that your indoor/original cat(s) are MORE important then the new cat/foster.

This is just my humble opinion.

The antibodies for FIP can be high without the cat having FIP. They can be low and the cat has FIP. So the test alone is useless. FIP is not really something you test for routinely either. Unless the cat is sick and showing symptoms consistent with FIP there is really no reason to test her.

As to your question yes, your current cat should be utd with her shots before you take a new cat in. She should have her shots at least 10 days before the new cat comes in. I would also not recommend vaccinating for FeLV but just give her a rabies shot and a FVRCP shot.

The new cat should be taken to the vet asap when you are ready to take him home. He should also be vaccinated, treated for fleas, have a fecal test to check for parasites, be dewormed and tested for FIV/FeLV. Then he should be quarantined away from your current cat for 10-14 days or more if the cat is sick.

Thank you everyone for your concern . I dont have anyone to talk to about my out door cat. I love my indoor Cat Gwen and I dont want to get her sick . My heart aches when I see my outdoor Bell sitting out there waiting for me. But I know that everyone on this site understands. Thank god for Catsite. I totally now understand why my special babys need there shots. I just made an appointment today for one of my cats. I will talk to my vet on how to bring my bell in to check to test her. Thank you.