Can rescue kitten with FHV mingle with healthy, vaccinated cats without health risks?

may pli

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(Sorry if this isn't the right forum to post this)

I recently rescued a male kitten, about 4 months old. Among other things, he's FHV+, and recently just got his first shot. He'll be going back for his booster in about 2 weeks.

I have 3 other cats who are 9, 8 and 3 years old respectively. The younger 2 have never had major medical problems, but my oldest has multiple diseases and a weak gut (due to years of living in the streets) that he's being treated for. All are vaccinated.

I've kept the kitten in isolation for the past month and he hasn't shown any symptoms since his first week (sneezing, runny nose). I'm wondering now if I can start introducing him to my other cats, and later, have them spend more time in close contact. My only worry is that the FHV might transmit to the others, especially my oldest, who might get hit harder than the others. I've read some posts online where owners have been in the same situation but their other healthy cats have never tested FHV+, even after years of being in close contact. So I just wanted to know if anyone could share their personal experience on this, cat health-wise?
 

FeebysOwner

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Hi and welcome to TCS! Congratulations on your new kitten! I don't have direct personal experience with this, but have read/heard many articles/stories on FHV+ and FHV- cats living together. The FHV vaccination greatly reduces the chances of it being spread, but, as is the case for most vaccinations, it isn't a 100% guarantee. Most vaccinated cats don't contract it, and those who do are not nearly as impacted by it from a clinical perspective. Additionally, not all cats that have had FHV are life-long shedders, meaning the chances are even less.

Keeping stress down in an FHV cat can also reduce shedding and flare-ups, so many folks give these cats an immune-booster. The one that seems to be favored right now is DMG.

I've included a brief article about FHV in general, and some additional ones about DMG. You will also need an introduction plan, so I've also included a couple of links below about that.

Good luck and keep us posted, if you would like!!!
Feline HerpesVirus (FHV) Infection | International Cat Care
DMG: A Nutrient for the New Millennium
Vetri DMG™ - VetriScience
How To Successfully Introduce Cats [The Ultimate Guide] - TheCatSite
How To Introduce A Kitten To An Older Cat [A Guide] - TheCatSite
 

di and bob

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I have used DMG on my leukemia positive cats and they are still alive 6 years later! The Herpes virus is VERY COMMON in all cats, your cats most likely already cary the virus. Almost all do. Stress is a big factor in having it come alive again. So is carrying it in from outdoors. So wash your hands when you come in the house, and keep them all indoors, that is the best way to keep them from getting sick. To a cat this is equal to our common cold, so it is almost impossible to completely avoid it. When my cats get a URI (they just did did last week) they can get very sick. I keep Nose Relief around from Amazon or any pet med site, and give that 3 times a day, mixed in a lickable treat, It really seems to help. During this time I can only get them to eat lickable treats, a small amount 4-5 times a day. Sometimes only a lick or two. They are recovering now!
 

stephanietx

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Most definitely they can! I had an FHV+ cat and had her for about 15 years. We worked very diligently to get her to optimum health and keep her that way. Along the way, we added a couple more non-FHV kitties to the crew and they all lived together just fine.
 
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