Rescue adopted us a sick kitten

My sister and I (shes also on this forum maybe she will stop by) adopted a kitten from a rescue. They told us the kitten was healthy and vet checked. When we got the kitten home we noticed his one eye had a lot of green snot in it, he was wheezy and sneezy as well as ear mites in one ear. We didnt notice this when we picked him up. We are taking him to the vet first thing but I believe the rescue should be responsible for this financially? I also worry about our 6 other cats catching this as well....

Hi,

Yes it sounds like an URI (cold) and yes its contagious and the kitten should be separated from your other cats until they are at least several days symptom free, say between 10-14 days from now.

The rescue group should have a clear and stated medical policy (in most cases that means that they may provide some level of treatment but in almost no case will they reimburse you if you take the cat to your vet without their authorization).  So you're probably on the hook for your vet's cost, but the rescue group may offer continuing care.  Ask them.

i don't know of any reputable group that knowingly adopts out ill cats without disclosing the illness (if they did this they would just get lots of angry calls and have lots of returned cats and no group wants this) but many cats despite being checked out incubate colds and show that cold after getting home, although usually not the same night unless it was obvious at the time of adoption.

The kitten will be fine with treatment and supportive care, but keep her/him away from your other cats and wash your hands between contact, and consider wearing something like a smock or a cooking apron when handling the kitten.  The kitten would do well in a small room like a bathroom.

Good luck!

Stephen

Its to late, the rescue told us it was okay to introduce them and we didnt notice any symptoms until after that happened. So theres no point in isolating him now all my others have been exposed. The rescue said they would not reimburse us, but I am going to have a lawyer friend deal with it in civil court IF all my other cats catch it and require a vet bill which will total about $700 as we have 6 other cats.

They should be held accountable. We adopted two sister kittens in July and we were told if any medical issues the first two weeks are covered by them. Good thing cause one kitten needed drops for her goopy eye. They covered the medication. I am sorry they are sick but its common if they were around other cats or animals. Ours had sneezing and other problems and with medication are healthy and happy.

It's sad that they are so quick to end their relationship over this, and unusual given how quickly you noticed it, but regardless they are 100% wrong about the exposure issue.   The longer your cats are exposed the more likely they are going to catch it and vise versa.  Yes they may catch it even if isolated, but greater exposure relates directly to greater chance of transmission. Keep them apart while the new cat has symptoms.

The vet said he has mycoplasma in his eyes, ear mites and a URI. Hes on Azithromycin for his lungs, Chloramphemical eye ointment and heximite for his ears. The vet said hes closer to 6 months old not 4 months they claimed him to be. He also has gingivitis.

Unfortunately, it's very common for adopted kitties to become sick once they are home.  The stress of being in a new home with new people and new sounds and smells often brings on an URI.  It happens more times than not.  The two cats we adopted from rescues were either sick when brought home or got that way quickly after being home.  It happens.  I know the cost is expensive, but I'd rather you focus on getting your kitty well and not worry about the rescue, just don't adopt from there again.

What Stephanietx said, and if you want to, you can always review them on yelp if you're in the USA/Canada.  Also did you get a written adoption contract? If you did, check the fine print on the health issue, and make sure they haven't promised you something in writing that they aren't offering verbally.

So sorry your new little guy is sick.  As I've told you Munchie has a chronic respiratory infection with micoplasma.  He has been sick for several months and have only had 1 kitty sneeze ocassionally, not sickly though.  It really depends on the cat and their immune systems.  Your younger cats may be at higher risk than your older ones.  Make sure you give everyone lysine.  I would give adults 500mg twice a day and kittens 250mg twice a day.