neurologic feral

I feed a large colony of ferals and have for 9 years. I noticed in May 2016 one of my ferals seemed a little neurologic. Since then, he has gotten progressively worse. He is still coming to feeding station and eating. He falls over when looking around but can still run like a gazelle when he wants to. I am hoping it is an ear infection and talking to a neurologist tomorrow (he is seeing my dog). I can catch him, one of the people that lives where I feed can pick up the cat and get him in the carrier for me. My concern is, I personally have 17 indoor cats in my home and am afraid to bring him in. I have a spare bedroom and dog crate to put him in but I would feel horrible if he was contageous and infected my cats with something. IE: (FIP). Does anyone know, if he has dry FIP, would he still be alive after 2 months of 1st showing symptoms? and if it is FIP, would keeping him in a bedroom with door shut in a dog crate (until I determine what is wrong) safe, if it turns out to be FIP? Want to help, but afraid. Thoughts???

FIP, in itself, is not contagious. The virus that sometimes mutates into FIP (coronavirus) is contagious, but the majority of cats have already been exposed to it. Especially if they're former strays. Nobody knows what causes coronavirus to sometimes mutate into FIP.

If your cats are vaccinated and you don't allow direct contact or shared litterboxes, there shouldn't be anything they can catch from the stray.

Oh yea, you just reminded me-it is very possible this cat is FIV+. I have not heard of FIV+ cats having neurologic issues though.

FIV isn't easily transmitted. It requires a very deep bite or sexual contact. FeLV is a bit more contagious, and has been known to be transmitted by long term litterbox or food dish sharing, but not air-borne or casual contact. FIV+ cats can usually live with FIV- cats as long as they're all neutered and don't have serious fights. Some people are OK with mixing FeLV+ and FeLV- cats if the uninfected cats hve been vaccinated against FeLV. Some people think it's too much of a risk.