spreading diseases

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tewing84

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We are currently fostering 2 kittens for the shelter we volunteer at. We also have 3 cats of our own. Im pretty sure these kittens are disease free but was just curious, how do cats pass illnesses onto other cats? Is it safe to let our cats interact with them if they are all up to date on their shots?

The kittens seem healthy, no URI's or anything like that and they get there shots this week. All of our cats have been super curious so Ive let them see each other a few times. I don't let them interact all that much, its just more of a look and see. One of ours does like to play with them under the door by sticking her paw under and trying to get them, but just playing of course.

But this all got me thinking a little because at the end of the day our cats are our number one priority and so is there safety
 
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calicosrspecial

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Personally I would have them quarantined until all parasites can be ruled out.

Did you have them tested for worms and parasites? If so, what test was used?

I would make sure the cats do not have Giardia (Giardiasis). This is a parasite that can be difficult to detect and difficult to eliminate from the environment. With proper handling and care it can be eliminated.

I bring up giardia because it can be contracted in high density situations and it spreads through feces (feces to mouth through grooming etc) and water. Like in shelters. Kittens also can contract it easier. I am not sure about it in kittens but some cats can be asymptomatic so it is tough to know they have it without a proper test.

I bring this up as I have a new cat in quarantine in my home with giardia. I have been researching this and do not want my existing indoor cats to contract it as it is a lot of work to get rid of. 

So I would highly suggest talking to your vet and getting these kittens tested as it is much easier to be proactive then have to deal with the spread of giardia, Also, make sure the test is the right test so that you will not have a "false negative".

Please feel free to ask any more questions on giardia and I hope this helps prevent any issues. 
 
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tewing84

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CalicosRSpecial said:
Personally I would have them quarantined until all parasites can be ruled out.

Did you have them tested for worms and parasites? If so, what test was used?

I would make sure the cats do not have Giardia (Giardiasis). This is a parasite that can be difficult to detect and difficult to eliminate from the environment. With proper handling and care it can be eliminated.

I bring up giardia because it can be contracted in high density situations and it spreads through feces (feces to mouth through grooming etc) and water. Like in shelters. Kittens also can contract it easier. I am not sure about it in kittens but some cats can be asymptomatic so it is tough to know they have it without a proper test.

I bring this up as I have a new cat in quarantine in my home with giardia. I have been researching this and do not want my existing indoor cats to contract it as it is a lot of work to get rid of. 

So I would highly suggest talking to your vet and getting these kittens tested as it is much easier to be proactive then have to deal with the spread of giardia, Also, make sure the test is the right test so that you will not have a "false negative".

Please feel free to ask any more questions on giardia and I hope this helps prevent any issues. 
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Awesome, thank you for your feed back. We are keeping them quarantined in the bathroom and like i said we aren't really letting them interact. I will just let the kittens walk around in our living room for maybe 5 minutes where our cats can watch them and see whats on the other side of that door lol. We've had these little guys for over 2 weeks and have only let them out a couple time within the last 2 or 3 days. I don't let them eat or drink out of our cats bowl and wont let them get close to the litter box. But one of ours did walk up and lick one of them for a few seconds. So thats about the most interaction they have had.

I didnt ask the shelter if they did any tests or not, they just said to keep them separated for a few weeks and its been 2 weeks. But i dont want to get too comfortable untilbI know for sure. So i was just curious how they spread diseases...or withmy cats being vaccinated is enough to keep them safe
 
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calicosrspecial

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tewing84,

Well it really depends on what "thing" we would be talking about. I do not believe the shots will prevent parasites. Giardia is something I have learned a lot about because I am dealing with it and that can be transmitted by one cat grooming or licking a cat and ingesting giardia cysts.

I am going to include a few links on giardia that may be helpful to understand where my concerns are:

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/03/19/giardia-infection-on-pets.aspx

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2015/12/03/giardia-infection-cats.aspx

They are quick reads and might be helpful to explain why I am more cautious. I am happy to try to answer any questions you may have. Hopefully they do not have giardia (or anything else). BUt when I hear kittens and shelter I just think extra caution and test just to nip any potential issues in the bud.

I hope this helps.

CRS 
 
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tewing84

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CalicosRSpecial said:
tewing84,

Well it really depends on what "thing" we would be talking about. I do not believe the shots will prevent parasites. Giardia is something I have learned a lot about because I am dealing with it and that can be transmitted by one cat grooming or licking a cat and ingesting giardia cysts.

I am going to include a few links on giardia that may be helpful to understand where my concerns are:

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/03/19/giardia-infection-on-pets.aspx

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2015/12/03/giardia-infection-cats.aspx

They are quick reads and might be helpful to explain why I am more cautious. I am happy to try to answer any questions you may have. Hopefully they do not have giardia (or anything else). BUt when I hear kittens and shelter I just think extra caution and test just to nip any potential issues in the bud.

I hope this helps.

CRS 
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Yes, thank you. Ill probably keep them separated all the time until after their tests and shots
 
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calicosrspecial

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tewing84,

I think that is very prudent. Just to rule out parasites and worms. I have all mine tested for Feline Leukemia and worms and parasites etc. Once I am confident they are free of anything then I go about introducing them to the existing cats. Worms are pretty easy to get rid of but this Giardia is a bit trickier.

Keeping the other cats away from the litter box (feces) and water and food bowls are very good preventative measures. Once they get their shots and the parasites and worms are gone it will be introduction time.

I am sure others have more and better advice but from my experience these are the things I do.

Enjoy the new additions to the family!! 

CRS
 
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tewing84

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CalicosRSpecial said:
tewing84,

I think that is very prudent. Just to rule out parasites and worms. I have all mine tested for Feline Leukemia and worms and parasites etc. Once I am confident they are free of anything then I go about introducing them to the existing cats. Worms are pretty easy to get rid of but this Giardia is a bit trickier.

Keeping the other cats away from the litter box (feces) and water and food bowls are very good preventative measures. Once they get their shots and the parasites and worms are gone it will be introduction time.

I am sure others have more and better advice but from my experience these are the things I do.

Enjoy the new additions to the family!! 

CRS
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Thank you for the advice. I finally got them shots and tests done this past weekend and they both were in the clear! So I'm slowly letting them play together, but still keep them seperate from litter, water, and food bowls. We have them for about another week or so then they will go to the shelter to get adopted hopefully. At least they are getting use to other cats by now so they won't have any issues finding a home.
 
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calicosrspecial

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tewing84,

You are very welcome. Do you know what fecal exam you got? Some have better reliability in detecting giardia.

Glad to hear things are going well.  I am sure, given all you have done, they are going to find a nice home. Lucky cats for getting such a good foster home.

Thank you for volunteering at a shelter and for fostering new kittens and for everything else you do for the cats. That is absolutely wonderful and helpful in making the lives of cats much better. Thanks!!

CRS
 
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