About a week ago, my wife and I captured a feral kitten around 4 weeks old. She’s doing GREAT now— playing, she’s affectionate, eating everything I give her, using the litterbox. The only issue is she’s an only kitten... and the vet said to keep it that way. We have 3 adult cats, one of which I think would do GREAT with her, but the vet saw some ulcers on her tongue. She said this can mean contagious diseases such as Calicivirus, and to keep her away from our other cats until she is 8 weeks old and can be tested. She is sneezing occasionally, but this is the only symtpom I’ve noticed aside from the ulcers. My concern is that she won’t get properly socialized in her 3-7 week period because of this. I spend at least a few hours with her every day playing and cuddling, but she is starting to cry when left alone. Should I take the risk and let my other cats meet her, or listen to the vet and keep her isolated until December 22nd?
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What Should I Do? (lone Kitten)
- Thread starter agaminae
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I would honestly not risk your other cats getting ill. Maybe put a stuffed animal with her.
I agree with the above.
The only safe course is to keep her in quarantine.
Of course, if your cats are healthy, with good immunitity system - perhaps used to go outside, perhaps even ex - homeless - you can take a calculated risk.
But if they arent - the risk will be big, and most owners wont take it.
The kitten will do all right anyway, having stuffed companion and you being with it often and much enough. Dont worry, you are doing OK.
Just be sure you wash hands thoroughly, preferably also change clothes inbetween.
The only safe course is to keep her in quarantine.
Of course, if your cats are healthy, with good immunitity system - perhaps used to go outside, perhaps even ex - homeless - you can take a calculated risk.
But if they arent - the risk will be big, and most owners wont take it.
The kitten will do all right anyway, having stuffed companion and you being with it often and much enough. Dont worry, you are doing OK.
Just be sure you wash hands thoroughly, preferably also change clothes inbetween.
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I think you should follow your vet's advice, even though I know that keeping a cute kitten in isolation is tough. My kitten Lucy was an "only kitten" until over 12 weeks old. She didn't have any problems socializing with our other cat, Mog, (who had been around other cats before,) when we got him. They're the best of friends, and Mog seemed to instinctively teach her cat etiquette about playing and grooming. lt was tough keeping them separated initially, and again after they got spayed / neutered, but I knew if something happened I'd never forgive myself. Hang in there, and congrats on your new addition to the family!
It sounds like she may be fighting a cold. If it gets worse, or she gets stuffy, she may need an antibiotic.
In this case, I would listen to the vets advice. Just spend as much time as possible with the kitten and enforce some behavior guidelines (no claws or biting).
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