Yesterday I posted about our new 4 1/2 month old and our 2 year old and trying to keep them separated. Well, this morning my husband, who had slept upstairs with the new one (Sissy, female) accidentally did not latch the door tightly when he got up and came downstairs. I was still in bed. We visited for a minute and then got up. By that time, Boo (our older male) had opened the door, Sissy was half way down the stairs and Boo was in the spare room! Obviously they passed each other and must've been fine. We put her back and tried distracting him with play/treats, but now both are crying on opposite sides of the door and they've already met.
Sissy goes to the vet tomorrow. What do I do? Still try to keep them apart? If it's too late and they may have already passed something to each other, should we just give up on the separation for now? Or keep trying to stick with it despite all the crying and wanting at each other? Boo seemed fine with her and her with him, which is the good news. But, as you all say, I don't want two sick cats in case she's got something. Please help with advice! Thanks
I would at least wait til she goes to the vet. Maybe you can do as we did and walk around holding the little one a little at a time. I am new myself at knowing this stuff. Just wait til the appointment and see what the vet says.
One other related topic I forgot to ask and I will ask the vet tomorrow too. Sissy got tested for Feluk and was negative but this was about 3 days before we got her. She was in a 5 Ragdoll and one other cat household along with 2 dogs. Is there any chance she could've gotten it in those 3 days?
The greater the exposure the greater the chance of passing anything that is present. A violation of quarantine does not mean one should abandon it as pointless. For example, if they did not sneeze on each other, groom each other, use the same litter, then adding those levels of exposure adds risk.
FeLV is blood borne, so the chance of exposure is low for an indoor only cat. However, if you are concerned, ask the vet. In general, one has to give multiple tests far enough apart to cover the incubation period.
Thanks, what is the incubation period?
So far, they only had close contact from however long it might have been when my husband left the door open! Anyway, I don't think it was longer than probably 15 minutes. Boo was in her room so don't know if he ate any of her food, but she was down the stairs. So far rest of the day has been fine. But I will ask the vet tomorrow.
Want to hear something sweet? Boo carried one of his toys up there to her room where she's living and dropped it on the other side of the door from her. So sweet! Like he was taking her a toy! I think they are going to get along great if we can just get through this quarantine!
Thanks.
If multiple tests are indicated, they should be 60 days apart. However, FeLV is not much of an issue in pedigreed cats from indoor only environments. Breeders have tested for a long time now - and still do. If your cat is from an indoor only breeder who has an FeLV testing program, then no testing of pets is needed. A shelter cat is often tested by the shelter, but one might to retest such a cat before releasing quarantine.
Other than expense, there is no reason not to test as much as you want - so work with the vet on what seems appropriate in your particular situation. (Keep in mind that kittens have a high false positive rate and, if one gets a positive on the in office test, then do not borrow trouble and retest in an outside lab. Many of those kittens will be found not to be infected.)
chris:
sounds like the two will be getting along well- Looks like Boo is very welcoming to the little one. how did sissy make out at the vets? Puff just discovered catnip!