Introducing stray cat to unvaccinated indoor cats

[catlady2010]

My two male cats do not get vaccinated because they are strictly indoor cats and I don't want them to be vaccinated. They were negative for the FIV/FeLV combo test though. They are healthy and in good shape. I want to make sure I take appropriate precautions before introducing this stray cat into the family. I just want to make sure this is right. When I take it to the clinic I will get it tested for FIV and FeLV. I will get an exam where the doctor just checks the teeth, coat, eyes, etc. The cat looks to be about 3 or 4 months. Is that enough? A combo test and just a regular exam, before introducing this cat to my 8 month old kittens?

Oh and my males are neutered. I will get this cat spayed in a few weeks. Right now I'm worrying about getting it off the streets and away from the other feral cats.

[KatBudz]

Your cats should be up to date with all vaccines before you introduce the stray. Your cats may be indoor, but the stray was exposed to the outdoors. When I adopted my kitten a year ago, I had to update my older cats vaccines, because he was a stray when they found him, and that seems to be the rule with every shelter to make sure the animals are healthy and won't catch anything. Other people on the forum may either agree or disagree with me aswell, but I think all the cats should be up to date with vaccines, and then after that you can just not do vaccines anymore. But at the same time, if your cats are only 8 months old, wouldnt that mean they are already up to date because they got their shots as kittens? Or have they never had any shots?

[catlady2010]

Yeah that's true. I found my two cats in the same area when they were about 5-6 months old and now they're 8 months. When I first got them, I only dewormed them, did the combo test, neutered them, vaccinated for AIDS and leukemia but not FIV. My question is, what vaccinations should I need? I know that a stray cat I found in the area a few months ago tested positive for FeLV and had a skin disease. But the 3 month old kitten is young and looks like she is in great shape. After all, I found my male kittens from the same area and they are all negative for the combo test and in extremely good shape. So basically, if FIV and FeLV are the two main things to look out for then I'll only vaccinate for FIV since I vaccinated for FeLV in December.

So besides vaccinating my cats for FIV, what other things to vaccinate for? Ahhh and I'm sure this new cat will be bringing in fleas. It scratches quite a bit.

[ETrescued]

I would say that the biggest threat to your indoor cats are things that protected by the FVRCP vaccination, especially panleuk. Those diseases do occur in the unvaccinated population and can really bring a kitten/cat down fast. I'm sure your vet will have the most information, and of course the FIV/FeLV test is a must.

Good luck!

-BP

[KatBudz]

I would ask your vet about what to vaccinate for, Im not 100% sure on what they are, since my cats havent been vaccinated since a year and a half ago. With the fleas, if its at all possible, can you resolve them before bringing the new kitty home? Otherwise its just going to be a disaster if all the cats get them.

[hoofmaiden]

The new cat needs to be carefully quarantined for at least a week (2 is better). Since setting the new cat up in his own room is the first step in a successful introduction, this should be no big deal. Just plan to keep everyone COMPLETELY separated for 1-2 weeks (towel jammed under door--you change clothes when you go in the room--the whole ball of wax).

[melysion]

Originally Posted by catlady2010

Yeah that's true. I found my two cats in the same area when they were about 5-6 months old and now they're 8 months. When I first got them, I only dewormed them, did the combo test, neutered them, vaccinated for AIDS and leukemia but not FIV. My question is, what vaccinations should I need? I know that a stray cat I found in the area a few months ago tested positive for FeLV and had a skin disease. But the 3 month old kitten is young and looks like she is in great shape. After all, I found my male kittens from the same area and they are all negative for the combo test and in extremely good shape. So basically, if FIV and FeLV are the two main things to look out for then I'll only vaccinate for FIV since I vaccinated for FeLV in December.

So besides vaccinating my cats for FIV, what other things to vaccinate for? Ahhh and I'm sure this new cat will be bringing in fleas. It scratches quite a bit.

I would strongly recommend you not vaccinate against FIV. FeLV yes, FIV no. Other than the fact that the virus is very hard to transmit to other cats (the risk is something like less than 1%), blood tests for FIV cannot tell the difference between a FIV+ cat and one vaccinated for FIV. If one of your cats ever escaped, and was picked up by a shelter its possible they will test for FIV and put your cat to sleep because the test would be positive.

I'm a bit confused though. Vaccinated for AIDS? FIV is the virus that leads to feline AIDS as far as I am aware. Its the same thing, so if your cats were vaccinated for 'AIDS' they have already been vaccinated for FIV.

[catlady2010]

Oooppps I meant rabies, not AIDS lol. OK I will just ask the veterinarian on what vaccinations are the MOST important. I mean what's the point of vaccinating my cats for FIV and FeLV when the stray is negative? THAT'S what I want to know.

[melysion]

Originally Posted by catlady2010

Oooppps I meant rabies, not AIDS lol. OK I will just ask the veterinarian on what vaccinations are the MOST important. I mean what's the point of vaccinating my cats for FIV and FeLV when the stray is negative? THAT'S what I want to know.

Ah OK.

Hope everything goes ok and the little stray can settle in with the rest of the clan soon!!