New here - cat catching disease from new kitten?

delilah_blue · Aug 2, 2006

Hi, I discovered these forums a few days ago and have been lurking enthusiastically. Very informative! Yesterday a 7 week old kitten, Blue, joined our family that already included another cat, Delilah (3yo). Blue came from a neighbor's house where he was part of an unwanted litter. The poor little guy (we *think* he's a boy?) has not been vetted at all and has some really icky eyes - red and runny, and get crusty if I don't wipe them frequently enough. My vet is having me drop him off tomorrow morning and he is going to examine him and treat him when he has a break between surgeries. We have been trying to keep the 2 kitties somewhat seperated, but this evening I noticed Delilah's left eye is now puffy and runny. Do you think she could have already caught whatever the kitten has in his eyes? (Delilah is allowed outside, so I can't be absolutely certain that is what the problem is.)

This is really making me worry though, about what else the kitten may have that could be spread to my cat. I thought about worms and have now set up seperate litter boxes (although I didn't do that until today). How much do you think I need to worry about this?

Thanks for reading!

yosemite · Aug 3, 2006

I personally would take both to the vet at the same time so he could check them both out.

purrpaws · Aug 3, 2006

Originally Posted by Yosemite

I personally would take both to the vet at the same time so he could check them both out.

I second Yosemite. It is definitely possible for them to catch things from each other.

phenomsmom · Aug 3, 2006

I agree that a vet trip is in need and a very good idea. Cats can catch illness from one another like humans catch colds and flus from one another! Good luck and Welcome to TCS!

delilah_blue · Aug 3, 2006

Thanks for your replies. Blue is at the vet right now - I'm anxiously awaiting the phone call that I can come pick up my kitty. Delilah has an appointment on Tuesday for her annual exam/shots anyway, so I'll make sure we discuss how the new kitten might be affecting her.

ilafa · Aug 3, 2006

is Delilah vaccinated?

laureen227 · Aug 3, 2006

Originally Posted by Delilah_Blue

Thanks for your replies. Blue is at the vet right now - I'm anxiously awaiting the phone call that I can come pick up my kitty. Delilah has an appointment on Tuesday for her annual exam/shots anyway, so I'll make sure we discuss how the new kitten might be affecting her.

when i got Java, altho she didn't have any eye issues, Pixel developed a severe herpes outbreak, her first. my first thought was that she had caught something from Java, but my vet said it was probably brought on by the stress the new cat created. he said lots of cats have herpes, but it only flares up under stress. hopefully that's not what Delilah has, but if it is, it's easily controlled

good luck at the vet's with both of your babies.

p.s. - any pix posted yet?

rosieandcricket · Aug 3, 2006

It sounds to me like your new kitten either brought conjunctivitus or feline herpes into your home! Both present with crusty eyes and are highly contagious - even to humans - make sure you wash your hands after touching your kitten and cat otherwise you may get a crusty eye... Your cats will probably have to go on antibiotics or about 10 days and that should clear everything up. Cats can be vaccinated for herpes - but its not a very common ailment and its not deadly (even i let untreated - though it can cause blindness and other horrible symptoms) talk to your vet about vaccination when your kitties are better because if the virus came from next door then its likely they may develop a reaccuring problem!
Believe me - its not as big of a deal as it sounds - human kids get this problem too

and you kitties will probably be fine very soon.

Congrats on your rescue too!

delilah_blue · Aug 3, 2006

Blue is home from the vet, and she is a girl! The vet ran some bloodwork on her to rule out some more serious diseases, and those all came back fine. She has an upper respiratory infection and worms. They gave her a dewormer at the vet, and she came home with antibiotics and eye ointment. I am supposed to update the vet in a few days on her progress, and once she's feeling better she can have her first vaccinations.

Delilah is vaccinated, but she is due for her annual boosters this month (going in on Tuesday). The vet told me that since she has had her shots and is a healthy young adult, I shouldn't worry too much about her becoming seriously ill from the infection Blue has. He said he'll look Delilah over next week when she goes in, and if she shows signs of illness we can start her on some antibiotics as well.

Thanks again for all your replies - I am very relieved that Blue is not seriously ill, and that Delilah isn't in serious danger. I will work on getting some pics posted later tonight once the kiddos are in bed!

Edited to add: Delilah's eye is looking quite a bit better this evening, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she will be fine!

rosieandcricket · Aug 3, 2006

Thats great

I'm glad everything is fine. By tomorrow it will look like there was no infection at all! Just keep her on the meds and hopefully it won't be a reacuring problem. I've got my fingers crossed for you!

purrpaws · Aug 4, 2006

Originally Posted by RosieandCricket

It sounds to me like your new kitten either brought conjunctivitus or feline herpes into your home! Both present with crusty eyes and are highly contagious - even to humans - make sure you wash your hands after touching your kitten and cat otherwise you may get a crusty eye... Your cats will probably have to go on antibiotics or about 10 days and that should clear everything up. Cats can be vaccinated for herpes - but its not a very common ailment and its not deadly (even i let untreated - though it can cause blindness and other horrible symptoms) talk to your vet about vaccination when your kitties are better because if the virus came from next door then its likely they may develop a reaccuring problem!
Believe me - its not as big of a deal as it sounds - human kids get this problem too

and you kitties will probably be fine very soon.

Congrats on your rescue too!

Humans cannot catch the herpes virus from cats, however if you touch one of your cats and then the other, you could transmit it to the second cat.

Also, if they already have the herpes virus, then the vaccine can't help; it can only prevent infection.

New here - cat catching disease from new kitten?

delilah_blue

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yosemite

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purrpaws

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phenomsmom

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delilah_blue

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ilafa

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laureen227

Darksome Duo!

rosieandcricket

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delilah_blue

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rosieandcricket

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purrpaws

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