Harness And Vaccine Questions

Hey. My cat, which gave birth five days ago, is scratching at our back door, wanting out these last few days. (She came in and out while pregnant.) I know she can get pregnant again, so we're making her stay inside. But I'd like to take her outside at some point to get fresh air. What kind of harness would you all recommend? I read that a harness is better than a collar, and I want to get one that works! I looked at Wal-Mart over the weekend, but they only had products for dogs. I haven't been to PetSmart yet.

Also, she's had these vaccines: Rabies, Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Caliclvirus. How long do these vaccines last? Are they repeated once a year or more frequently? And if she became pregnant by a feral cat, will these vaccines have provided her immunity from any diseases he may have had?

Thanks!

Please don't take her out even on a harness until she has weaned her kittens and has been spayed. If a tom jumps her, are you going to intervene? I think probably not, I know I wouldn't. If she is in heat, and she is outside, she will get jumped on- keep her safe, and keep her inside- spray the bottom of the door with a lemon freshened air spray to keep her away- and make sure she can't get out.

MrsD, although it's hard to resist her pleading, calling and scratching at the door, you MUST NOT let her outside, even on a harness. The call of her heat will make her pull and run and she will fight all the way to get out of the harness as if she is fighting for her life. Please make sure all your windows and doors are secure as well as she will be wanting badly to get out. She must stay with her kittens, as she may not return or abandon them if she get's out.

If she somehow did get out and mated with a feral tom, the vaccinations would give her immunity to those particular things but he could be carrying a variety of parasites or illnesses such as fleas tapeworm, roundworm, hookworm, ringworm, URI, ear mites etc.

Wow. I didn't realize those things. She would leave the kittens? She would mate regardless? The mating urge is that strong? I'm truly surprised. But you guys have convinced me. I will buy the lemon scented spray and keep her in, no matter what.

Thanks,
mrsd

I agree with all of the above posted replies. Keep her inside! Just one thing to add. She is protected now against all of the diseases you mentioned, however you forgot one. FIV is spread through sexual contact (and cat bites) and she has not been vaccinated for this virus. There is a new FIV vaccine on the market (series of three shots) that does provide some protection. We all know though that abstinence is best however so it is best to keep your cat indoors until she is spayed and no loger appeals to Toms!
Also vaccines should be boosted every year, except rabies which is boosted at one year then every three years after that. Some vets are going to an every three year program for the FVRCP vaccine as well so you can talk to your vet at your next appointment about what (s)he reccomends.

Originally Posted by mrsd

Hey. My cat, which gave birth five days ago, is scratching at our back door, wanting out these last few days. (She came in and out while pregnant.) I know she can get pregnant again, so we're making her stay inside. But I'd like to take her outside at some point to get fresh air. What kind of harness would you all recommend? I read that a harness is better than a collar, and I want to get one that works! I looked at Wal-Mart over the weekend, but they only had products for dogs. I haven't been to PetSmart yet.

Also, she's had these vaccines: Rabies, Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Caliclvirus. How long do these vaccines last? Are they repeated once a year or more frequently? And if she became pregnant by a feral cat, will these vaccines have provided her immunity from any diseases he may have had?

Thanks!

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As the others have said under no circumstances allow her out.
Not only can she be mated again but she can also pick up any parasites, bacterial infections or even viral infections that can not only make her ill be given to the kittens.
As far as vacinations go the whole scenario has changed now and many vets are now practising a vacine regime which is safer for the cat .
Most of the vacines with the exception of the Rabies which has to be done by law in many places only requires a booster once every three years.
The vets have finally realised that they were over vacinating as per manufacturers instructions and this has caused many a health issue for cats. Now that they have proven it they have worked out a far safer vacination regime for the cat.

The three you stated Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Caliclvirus are the three most common done. There are other vacines available but not all are believed to be efficient and over vacinate is as dangerous as under vacinate.
I would check with your vet also as to what plan they are now using and at what age the new kittens ought to be vacinated, as ,many are making it later to be sure that it dos not conflict with the antibodies that the kitten has from the mother and render the vacine ineffective.
Vaccines of any type are not a guarantee the cat cannot get the illness but they are a guarantee if it does get it it will not be as virulent as what an unvacinated cat can get.