Okay, so I have been working with a feral/stray since early spring. Long story short, he finally started mildly trusting me just in the last two months. I tried to make him a few different cat houses with a heated bed, but he's too nervous about them and won't ever go near them. So tonight it's really cold (and going to be in the teens this weekend) so when he showed up tonight (after dark, as always) I just quickly whisked him into our only bathroom.
Now what??
I have painted myself into a corner. We only have one bathroom. It's almost the weekend, I doubt my vet will get us in tomorrow. I have bronchitis. I have 6 other cats that I am trying to keep safe. I have three kids (and myself) that use that bathroom multiple times a day... What did I do?! lol
I already ordered Advantage II for him, it will be here tomorrow morning. But I have questions about that. I have never ever used flea meds on my cats, we have always just bathed them before introducing them to the others (or they came pre-treated from the shelter). How long does it take to work? When could I move him into a bedroom without worrying about a flea infestation? I can move him into my sons room, but only after I know fleas won't be a problem.
What diseases do I need to worry about? He has scaly bloody spots all over him, and a large yellowish scabby spot on his side. Is this all from fleas and itching? Can anything be passed by our feet or clothing, from being in there with him and coming out again?
I will be getting him into the vet, but until then, I need to keep my other cats safe. Ugh, the timing.
I have been a lifelong (indoor) cat owner, and even rescued our last two out of the neighborhood, but we bathed them and had a vet trip immediately due to good timing, so I didn't have to worry about this stuff.
Thanks for any help and advice.
Now what??
I have painted myself into a corner. We only have one bathroom. It's almost the weekend, I doubt my vet will get us in tomorrow. I have bronchitis. I have 6 other cats that I am trying to keep safe. I have three kids (and myself) that use that bathroom multiple times a day... What did I do?! lol
I already ordered Advantage II for him, it will be here tomorrow morning. But I have questions about that. I have never ever used flea meds on my cats, we have always just bathed them before introducing them to the others (or they came pre-treated from the shelter). How long does it take to work? When could I move him into a bedroom without worrying about a flea infestation? I can move him into my sons room, but only after I know fleas won't be a problem.
What diseases do I need to worry about? He has scaly bloody spots all over him, and a large yellowish scabby spot on his side. Is this all from fleas and itching? Can anything be passed by our feet or clothing, from being in there with him and coming out again?
I will be getting him into the vet, but until then, I need to keep my other cats safe. Ugh, the timing.
I have been a lifelong (indoor) cat owner, and even rescued our last two out of the neighborhood, but we bathed them and had a vet trip immediately due to good timing, so I didn't have to worry about this stuff.
Thanks for any help and advice.