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- Oct 30, 2021
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Not quite sure how to title this or if I'm posting in the correct section, but it does revolve around the health of my new kitten and older cat so this seemed the best fit.
For context, I adopted a rescue kitten a few days ago and already own another cat. Kitten is about 14 weeks old, older cat is 2,5 years of age. I have kept them in separate rooms from the moment we got home with the kitten and they have not had any contact yet.
Here is where my anxiety surrounding this situation begins: a friend of mine reminded me to have the kitten tested for FIV and FeLV before letting the cats meet. I'd never heard FeLV before this (was aware of FIV) and after a round of googling got terrified.
I know the kitten's mother was tested for both (she is negative) but the kitten himself wasn't. Most places seem to agree testing the mom would be enough if it comes back negative, considering how rare it is in my part of the world (Northern Europe). In fact, I can not find a single owner case in my own language about the condition, just basic information I could read on wikipedia.
I don't have much background info on the kitten or his mother, beyond that she comes from a cat population and he was born outside. Once taken in by the rescue, he had been living in a foster home with just his mom and two littermates.
After a night of anxious googling I called my vet ASAP to book an appointment to have him tested. They didn't seem to be too concerned about the situation, but agreed to do it to give me a peace of mind. The kitten will also get his booster shots at the same time.
This brings me to the second issue I have... which was the realization, that I do not remember my older cat ever having been tested for FIV/FeLV either. She has spent her entire life indoors from birth until now, and when picking her up we got to meet her mother, grandmother and older sister from a previous litter who all were in good health (though I know that's not necessarily an indication of much as cats with the conditions can lead happy and healthy lives when cared well for). She has never been sick a day in her life, is spayed, up to date on her vaccines, has always had a shiny and silky coat etc.
Question is, should I have her tested as well before introducing the kitten to her (assuming he tests negative)? I assume the answer is yes, to be on the safe side, and will be consulting the vet as well when I take the kitten in for his test and vaccines, but I guess I'm looking for some kind of reassurance that I'm doing the right thing and not unnecessary testing just for my own anxiety's sake.
For other general stuff about the situation, the kitten seems healthy, is eating and drinking well, using his litterbox fine and is very playful and active. He seems more shy and gentle than our older cat was as a kitten, so I'm having to adjust a lot and try not to worry too much (I'm an anxious cat mom, I want to do everything right.)
Anyway, thank you for reading this babbling mess I've written... this is my first time writing here, but I've often visited the site as a guest whenever I've had worries and it's always been a wonderful resource
For context, I adopted a rescue kitten a few days ago and already own another cat. Kitten is about 14 weeks old, older cat is 2,5 years of age. I have kept them in separate rooms from the moment we got home with the kitten and they have not had any contact yet.
Here is where my anxiety surrounding this situation begins: a friend of mine reminded me to have the kitten tested for FIV and FeLV before letting the cats meet. I'd never heard FeLV before this (was aware of FIV) and after a round of googling got terrified.
I know the kitten's mother was tested for both (she is negative) but the kitten himself wasn't. Most places seem to agree testing the mom would be enough if it comes back negative, considering how rare it is in my part of the world (Northern Europe). In fact, I can not find a single owner case in my own language about the condition, just basic information I could read on wikipedia.
I don't have much background info on the kitten or his mother, beyond that she comes from a cat population and he was born outside. Once taken in by the rescue, he had been living in a foster home with just his mom and two littermates.
After a night of anxious googling I called my vet ASAP to book an appointment to have him tested. They didn't seem to be too concerned about the situation, but agreed to do it to give me a peace of mind. The kitten will also get his booster shots at the same time.
This brings me to the second issue I have... which was the realization, that I do not remember my older cat ever having been tested for FIV/FeLV either. She has spent her entire life indoors from birth until now, and when picking her up we got to meet her mother, grandmother and older sister from a previous litter who all were in good health (though I know that's not necessarily an indication of much as cats with the conditions can lead happy and healthy lives when cared well for). She has never been sick a day in her life, is spayed, up to date on her vaccines, has always had a shiny and silky coat etc.
Question is, should I have her tested as well before introducing the kitten to her (assuming he tests negative)? I assume the answer is yes, to be on the safe side, and will be consulting the vet as well when I take the kitten in for his test and vaccines, but I guess I'm looking for some kind of reassurance that I'm doing the right thing and not unnecessary testing just for my own anxiety's sake.
For other general stuff about the situation, the kitten seems healthy, is eating and drinking well, using his litterbox fine and is very playful and active. He seems more shy and gentle than our older cat was as a kitten, so I'm having to adjust a lot and try not to worry too much (I'm an anxious cat mom, I want to do everything right.)
Anyway, thank you for reading this babbling mess I've written... this is my first time writing here, but I've often visited the site as a guest whenever I've had worries and it's always been a wonderful resource