(Any vets?) A concern re the stray: Are there any...

[Rajah]

...feline diseases that are transmitted through the air in such a way that transporting the stray kitten through the living room in a carrier from the front door to the back door (a process that would take about 10 seconds, 30 max if I had trouble with the door) would put Blaze and Skye in danger? Blaze and Skye would be in the bathroom while I did the transporting so there would be no direct contact at all between them and the kitten.

My parents and grandparents are really worried about the stray giving Blaze and Skye some disease and my grandparents don't think the precautions I have in place are enough. Good enough for me to keep feeding her, but not good enough for me to risk transporting her through the apartment even for 30 seconds. They feel that there is something that can be transmitted via dander.

Are they right, or is this argument about the same as not taking your cat to the vet because it could catch something dangerous by just sitting in the waiting room?

Thanks!

 

[DocRafiki]

I don't think there's a definitive answer for that. Every time someone asks me that and I read about it, the answer is vague. I believe the chance of catching FeLV that way is small but possible, same for picking it up off of your clothes. Another to think about is FIP. If they're vaccinated, I wouldn't worry about it at all (not that it's not possible, but realistically...)


BTW, I've never seen another vet on these boards.

 

[DocRafiki]

If I was too vague... I would do it.

 

[Rajah]

Thanks Jen.

In other words, you think the risks are minimal enough to make it worth getting the kitten off the street?

We already lost Sage to FIP earlier this year, I'd hate to lose Blaze or Skye that way. But I suspect the risk for FIP is greater just from Blaze having been exposed than from carrying a kitten through the apartment for 30 seconds. Is my guestimate right on that?

 

[DocRafiki]

Yes, I would say so.

 

[betz]

Just curious,
Why would you want to carry a feral cat through your house for 10 seconds.
What is the logic there?

I have a cat and wouldn't expose him to that.

Also, after you get the cat out of the carrier you are going to have to DeCom your carrier and yourself.

 

[Rajah]

Thanks Jen!

Betz -- because I'd be catching the kitten at night and wouldn't be able to take her to the vet until they opened in the morning. Our front "porch" is about 2 foot by 3 foot. We have one big dog upstairs, one medium one next door, and at least one dog in the rooms behind us. Leaving a kitten in a carrier on the front "porch" where she can't escape from any big dogs that might try and get her through the carrier isn't fair. So we're setting her on the back porch until we can get her to the vet in the morning. Assuming the other couple in the next building over don't decide they want her. If they do, I'll hand her over to them as soon as I've caught her, and they may even help.

 

[jx3smom]

Rahja, I've done the same sort of thing and everything worked out well. You are taking every precaution and I think you are doing a wonderful thing. I have had many, many wonderful years with the stray kittens that I have taken in. Some are friendlier and happier than the ones born right inside my home.

 

[Laurabearz]

Another suggestion.... place a blanket over the carrier..... This might help calm the poor thing, and keep any airbourn nasties at bay....

Good luck and WTG for helping out the poor thing!

 

[Joanne M]

I wouldn't worry about it. There aren't very many people OR cat diseases that could be caught this way, so I think your parents are overreacting a bit. Just be careful to wash your hands and the carrier when you are all done handling the feral cat.

If the kitten is younger than about 6 weeks, it should be able to be socialized by an adoptive family. Much older than that, and it is iffy. This doesn't mean the kitten won't make a good pet, but it may not become a cuddly pet as it gets older.

I think the good you are doing far outweighs the minor risks involved. It is great to know there are people in the world like you who care enough to take care of an animal that may not have been here, except for another irresponsible pet owner somewhere. There are so many feral cats born simply because people won't get their pets spayed or neutered, and let them roam outside.

Let us know what happens with this little one!

 

[Rajah]

Once this kitten finds her home, the carrier we're using is going to get a good long wash with a clorox mix.

I'm estimating she's between 3 and 6 months old, probably closer to 4 or 5. I'm basing that on her size and the color of her eyes. She can definitely be tamed, though. In just a week and a half, she already runs to within a few feet of me or anyone else carrying food, and as long as you don't make any sudden moves, she doesn't run while she's eating or while people are talking. She may never become a cuddly friendly cat, but she'll be a sociable one.

 

[Joanne M]

She sounds like a cat with a naturally sweet disposition. What does she look like?

One of my kitties became separated from her mom at about 5 weeks of age. Her mom is feral and I have tried to trap her to get her spayed, but she is too tricky for me. Anyway, we got the kitten and tried to socialize her. She is a sweet kitty and a little skittish, but we know she is happy here at our house. Noises seem to upset her the most. She is not a cat who likes to sit on your lap, but she loves to be petted and brushed, and likes to just be near you at all times. Of course I love her to pieces!

Now our lost baby has grown from a mere 1.5 pounds at 5 weeks old, to 19 1/2 pounds at 3 years old! She is a monster kitty! She does well in the car, and she goes out on a harness and leash. She is solid black and huge, with big green eyes. I bought her a hot pink harness and leash as a fashion statement. When we go to the vet, people see her and say, "Oh look! KC is her to visit!" She is pretty easy to recognize......

 

[Rajah]

She's a darling torbie (red, silver, and white with tabby markings) which is how I know she's a girl. Very, very, very rarely are there male tri-colors because of the genetics involved, so it's safe to assume she's a girl.

I posted some pictures of her a few days ago: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=238643

I really wish I could keep her.

 

[Beauty]

You are doing the right thing Tammi!! I would do the same! I rescued my Tramp and brought him through the house and he stayed until he could go to the vet on Monday. I rescued him on Saturday. He is now asleep on my end table next to the sofa. I love him so so much!