I never knew this about vaccinating cats!

[sarha]

LisaS, I'm not sure myself but this is a great cat forum with many knowlegeable people including people who have taken in ferals. I'm sure someone there can answer your questions.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/

Good luck...Sarha

 

[wdwmom2]

With so many knowledgeable people on this thread I hope you don't mind my asking something slightly OT. Two days ago I trapped a stray unneutered male cat who is part of a small stray/feral group living in the woods behind my house. I've had him in a large cage in a room that my own cats are not allowed to enter. This morning I took him to the vet to be tested (for leukemia and FIV) and neutered.

While he's at the vet I'm washing all his bedding and his food and water bowls. I won't know until later today if he has tested positive for anything contagious. So, here are my questions:

- Does regular laundry detergent kill anything that may be in the bedding if he's positive for leukemia or FIV?

-What about the food bowls: does washing them in dish soap and hot water suffice? If not, what should I be using to clean and disinfect them?

- What about my hands: soap and hot water or ???

Thanks so much for any advice you can offer. I want to do whatever is necessary to protect my own kitties, a few of whom are this fellow's offspring!

When in doubt, I always use hot water and bleach to clean and disinfect!!!!

 

[DMRick]

When in doubt, I always use hot water and bleach to clean and disinfect!!!!

We use a virus spray at the "nest" because of so many kitties and people coming in to clean etc. Clorox is used on the bedding and we use an antiseptic soap on our hands..even when handling our own cats. Good for you to take in that feral. They are a lot of work, and hopefully you can find someone to adopt it that understands it takes a while to calm them down. I've had our feral for almost a month (it was interupted when he had to be taken care of by another for a week while we were away), and it's very slow going. Just when I thought he was used to me taking him out of his cage and onto my lap, this morning he's back to swatting me again (along wiht his hiss). That really concerns me, because he's finally up on the web for adoption, and it won't be good, if someone comes to see him, and I can't get him out of the cage.

 

[LakeAriel]

With so many knowledgeable people on this thread I hope you don't mind my asking something slightly OT. Two days ago I trapped a stray unneutered male cat who is part of a small stray/feral group living in the woods behind my house. I've had him in a large cage in a room that my own cats are not allowed to enter. This morning I took him to the vet to be tested (for leukemia and FIV) and neutered.

While he's at the vet I'm washing all his bedding and his food and water bowls. I won't know until later today if he has tested positive for anything contagious. So, here are my questions:

- Does regular laundry detergent kill anything that may be in the bedding if he's positive for leukemia or FIV?

-What about the food bowls: does washing them in dish soap and hot water suffice? If not, what should I be using to clean and disinfect them?

- What about my hands: soap and hot water or ???

Thanks so much for any advice you can offer. I want to do whatever is necessary to protect my own kitties, a few of whom are this fellow's offspring!

http://www.felineleukemia.org/
Good Luck!

 

[LisaS]

Thank you all for your help. I'm very new to working with ferals so I have a lot to learn!

 

[LakeAriel]

Thank you all for your help. I'm very new to working with ferals so I have a lot to learn!

Share all your secrets! All my 5 cats were born in the wild. The last two (siblings) are still touch shy! Chandler was trapped in July and because of his false positive FELV result was isolated for 3 weeks. This meant he was smuggled into a Jersey Shore Condo with me for a week! He will allow us to pet him when he is eating only. He is taking a long time to tame but the poor thing was all over the East Coast for a month so I am patient. His sister Phoebe has been with me since Christmas. She ended up at the local shelter in October where she was absolutely terrified of everything including the other cats. I took her to the country for Christmas week (just to give her some peace) as a foster, where I discovered she had a terrible infection because her stitches had not been removed. Well she now happily lives with her brother. She will roll on her back for me and rub against my legs but she doesn't want to be touched either. Again patience is a virtue and one day while she is on the bed I am certain she will beg to be cuddled like the other three. As I still feed the other ferals outside I am grateful I was able to give mine warm, comfortable, and safe homes!
Thank you for what you are doing!

 

[goofygirl]

I have nothing to add, I just wanted to say that it's great to see so many cat lovers here. I love reading all the stories and helpful info.

 

[DMRick]

I got my girls @ http://www.petfinder.org

Our feral is up for adoption there, right now..hoping to find someone with a lot of patience!
Our foster kitties were born to feral parents, but shhhhh! don't tell them. They are sweethearts....and I know the feral is wanting to play with them more than through the cage, but he's just too rough so far. Unfortunately the kitties have cocidia , so everytime they come out to play, I have to wash their feet (because they keep stepping in "it", when they go in the kitty litter). They are getting used to it, as long as I'm fast LOL!