Ok.... These questions are about our future little moggie (Maddy) but I'm sure is just as important to any kitten.
I've read many of you post that 12 weeks is the recommended before removing a kitten from it's mom and littermates. Well, our little moggie is estimated to be about 5 weeks. Granted she is currently living with two litters of approximately the same age, but it is not HER littermates. How Do you all feel this could affect her?
ALSO, When discussing Introducing new Kittens, it has been recommended to Isolate/quarantine the new introduction for a period. That is not really possible in our little 3 room condo. Any Advice?
Last, Everyone sounds like they've had introduction results of varying degrees. Some VERY good, Some took a little longer, but all ended up well. What does everyone feel is a reasonable amount of time before deciding it is not going to work? We do not want two cats that do not like eachother and don't want to stress either too much.
Any advice is appreciated
Wish I had answers for you but I don't. I can tell you that a friend of mine recently found a 5 week old kitten and took it in and it's doing great. She has 3 ragdolls and a moggie and when she introduced it to her cats, there was hissing and growling from 2 of them but one just immediately took to it and they are best friends. While it would be great to stay with it's mom for 12 weeks, I'm sure that it will do fine.
As for quarantine, one does not do a lab version, but just delays nose to nose contact - and perhaps washes hands between them. 3 rooms is enough if there is just ONE door.
12 weeks is optimal, but younger cats can do fine. Often you can tell from the kitten. If you do not see aggression, excessive timidity or infantile behavior, then one can hope to have no noticeable issues. Obviously, many shelter kittens are in this situation.
Do not set a time limit on introductions in advance. You can decide as you go. It is not likely to be a problem.
Well, I just got a call from the Foster Mom, She has a group of kittens going to the vet to be altered tomorrow and she is going to be bringing Madison. She said they (the organizations she volunteers for ) always spays kittens once they are over a pound and a half.
As long as everything goes well, she says we can bring her home on Friday!
She said she's been tested for FIV and FELV and is neg for both, She's been wormed too... I was so excited, I forgot to ask about other shots.
How long do you think the quarentine period should be? I know it's been mentioned on here before... but I don't remember
A few days will catch some things. A week or so will catch more and several weeks will catch even more. You just have to decide how careful you want to be based on the circumstances and how difficult it is to keep the quarantine.
Paul, Just wanted to say congrats on the new baby! I can't wait to see pictures of Madison. I'm sure Dolly will be an excellent mentor
shana
Wow! That was fast!! Just think - by this weekend your new little one could be home (are you nervous??)
TeresaK Wrote:Wow! That was fast!! Just think - by this weekend your new little one could be home (are you nervous??)
YEah! I know! Very Nervous!!! I don't want to contaminate Dolly, I don't want to upset her and I just want it all to go well.
Paul congrats I can't wait to hit the computer on the weekend and see more of Maddy!!
It sounds like the organization you are getting her from are a reputable animal rescue group, they have nursed her back to health and are taking the appropriate steps to treat her before letting go to her new home, I would have confidence in this they wouldn't let her go if they anticapted problems.
Also it doesn't matter what type of pet, sex, age, moggie or purebred commonsense comes into the introduction period once in your home.... the more positive you are the better it will be for Dolly and Maddy , animals sense their humans emotions , the day I bought Milo home
I put the dog on a lead just in case .... I put Milo on the floor and he walked straight up to the dog for a sniff it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT there was not a hiss hair raised or even a sound they remained best friends.
Of course I continued to monitor there behaviour and didnt leave them completly alone together unsupervised until I felt sure they would be 100% I am sure that all will go well and look forward to hearing all about it
PaulGreggandDolly Wrote:TeresaK Wrote:Wow! That was fast!! Just think - by this weekend your new little one could be home (are you nervous??)
YEah! I know! Very Nervous!!! I don't want to contaminate Dolly, I don't want to upset her and I just want it all to go well.
As my daughter always tells me "think positive thoughts and they will happen". It may not happen overnight but it will happen. Just remember this poor little baby looks like she had a bad start in her short life and may be a bit timid at 1st. Just give her time and her own space if needed. Wish you all the best - hey at least Gregg was there and gave his approval.
Still need to know what a calico is? Hope you get some pictures up next week.