Found 4 month old kitten in bad shape, Can it get my other cats sick?

Question

So, I found a kitten a few days ago and it was in pretty bad shape. It's very skinny, it's having respiratory problems, it's sneezing fluids, it's eyes are oozing fluids, and it has diarrhea. I immediately brought it to the vet and they gave me eye ointment and also medication for it's respiratory problems. They told me to bring it back in a week or so to get it's shots. For now, I put it in my bathroom with food and water along with a litter box and a comfy bed and some toys. It is very affectionate and really wants me to stay with it and it meows when it is alone. I really want to let it roam my house but I have 3 indoor cats that I am afraid my catch something from the kitten if it has anything. My cats have all received their first initial vaccination shots, but I have not brought them back for any update shots since they are indoor and very healthy. Should they be okay and immune to any viruses, or should I definitely keep them away from the kitten till it is given shots? I have let the kitten out to roam for a little while, but I made sure to put my indoor cats in my bedroom along with their litter box and food so they do not exchange any fluids. But, the kitten has been sneezing and it's eyes are watering, so could they catch anything if the kitten sneezed on something they come in contact with? Sorry I have so many questions but I am just concerned. I hate to lock the poor thing up since it has obviously been through a lot and needs some companionship. Any suggestions, or better solutions from anyone would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

They probably won't but you should just call or ask your vet.

Answer 2

Keep the kitten in quarantine and wash your hands (changing clothes is a good idea too) after handling it.  Upper respiratory infection is extremely contagious and you could easily end up with a houseful of sick cats. There is no vaccine for URI and vaccines for FIV/FeLV are not 100% effective. Your kitten will be fine if you spend some time with him frequently.  Make sure the vet gives you an all clear before letting the kitten around your other cats. Keeping them separated like this for a few days will also be helpful in making introductions go smoother.  Your cats can get used to the scent of the new kitten and first introductions won't be so stressful.

Answer 3

Anytime you find a stray no matter how cute and love-able keep them quarantine from other pets until you get the animal to the vet or shelter.. I had gotten a kitten last year for my bday and it was the same way I put it outside (it wasn't winter)  and kept a close watch on it and he was put on antibiotics and after about the third day he disappeared. Cats run away most of the time when they pass away. Best of luck sweetie Most places will give you a substantial discount when you tell them you found it...

Answer 4

Yes..Keep The Sick Kitten Away from The Others.

Feed the Sick Kitten With Warm Milk.

& Keep It In Warm Place..I'm Just telling You To Keep the Sick Kitten Alive...

I'm So Sad For The Sick Kitten :[

Many Kitten Died Of The Sick & If They Sneeze ..Like what i said Warm Milk.

when A Cat Born's New Kittens & They Have Their Milk from Their Mother " Cat " If they Was More Than 6.. Cat have 6 Nipples So Lets say 8 Kitten..6 Kittens Are Having Their Milk & Two Kittens Are Hungry...& they need To Be So Close With Their Mother " Cat " Because the Cat Have To l**k It & Keep It With Her Arms  So Close..

That's All I Had To Say..

Hope That answer You Where Looking For :]

Nina.

Answer 5

Keep them apart!!  The kitten probably has a upper respiratory infection.  Make sure the kitten finishes all meds without missing a single dose.  Finish your other cats vaccinations, they aren't immune until they have had all shots.  Also alot of the communicable diseases such as Feline leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritionitis, and Feline Aids can be transmitted though the air and saliva. They could also catch the URI from the kitten ( very contagious ) You can clean the kittens eyes with a warm wet washcloth and then apply the ointment the vet gave you. It may be hard to lock up the kitten but it would be best for everybody.  Good Luck

Answer 6

Was the kitten given the combo test to check for FIV and Feline Leukemia?  And a fecal test to look for parasites?  Those problems are not what you're seeing evidence of but it's an important question to get resolved as well before you let kitten in a room with other cats.

Your cats are not immune to anything if you didn't finish the shots, sorry to say.  Even if they are inside cats, you still want to get the minimum COMPLETE immunizations.  They could get out one day, come across a sick cat, and then everything changes for the worse.

Does the vet you took the kitten to know you have other cats?  It sounds like the kitten has a URI (upper respiratory infection).  If that's the case, you do not want the kitten to come in contact with the other cats.

Hang out with the kitten as much as you can in the bathroom.  You can bring in towels to make a comfy cushion and read to him/her.

And be sure to ALWAYS wash your hands after you have handled the kitten and anything in the kitten's room, to avoid spreading anything to the other cats.

Good luck!

Answer 7

make sure it is warm enough and not  near ac ducts...maybe a large stuffed toy with it to lay on like a littermate ..i would be leery of leaving it with your cats for any length of time because it is an infection....leave a nightlight on, and just be sure it is very warm!!!

Answer 8

Since he has diarrhea and the snifflies, i'd get him at least started on antibiotics before you let the other kitties get too close. It is young enough that it should be fine to be treated. I had outdoor cats that had some sort of feline respiratory infection that was very contagious, but as long as you get them medicated before they have had it like 6 months (the vet said), he (she?) should be fine.

For the sake of not wanting to medicate 4 kitties, let him out in due time! But, if they have been nose to nose under the crack of the door, then it won't matter anyway- they have already been exposed.

Good luck! :)

Answer 9

You can't vaccinate against an upper respiratory infection, which is part of what this kitten has.  Unless you want to treat all the rest of the cats in the house for the same infection, keep the kitten separate from them and hope they don't sneeze on each other under the door (it can spread that way).  

Keeping the cats in separate rooms works--you can put your others into the bedroom and let the kitten out to wander around for a while.It's only direct nose to nose saliva/fluid transfer that would infect the other cats.  

Most vaccinations would be strong for about 3 years, some go for the life of the cat actually, but some do wear off, like the rabies vaccine.  You do need to keep up with the FeLV if your cats are coming into contact with any strange cats who may have that--it's easily spread.  You didn't say if the vet checked for FeLV in this kitten.  If it was a possibility, then keep the kitten separated till you  know for sure.

Answer 10

I hate to tell you this but I don't want you to take the chance of your other cats getting sick.

i have never seen a kitten with diarrhea live. I have tried everything to doctor them. People put kittens and cats out at my house all the time.They have distemper. It is best just to go ahead and let it go... If you know what I mean. It is the most humane thing to do.