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Question

3 days ago I found a mother and her 3 kittens outside in the bushes. The local animal people came and they were able to set traps and got them. Well after the others were gone. I found another kitten later that day. I went straight to the vet with it in a carrier. It looked weak and its sooo cold out. The poor thing was infested with fleas, ear mites and worms....blahhhh!!!! They figured the kitten to be about 9 weeks old. I paid to get the kitty checked out...took care of the ear mites ect...they bathed the cat 2 times because it was covered in fleas so badly. They gave him a shot I think for the ear mites and fleas...not sure what it was. It's very lovable and sweet!!!I brought it home. Made a home for it in a dog kennel out in my enclosed porch. It's so cold. I brought him into my bathroom tonight. I didn't even think about this but what are the odds of rabies? Nobody mentioned it. I have a 6 year old and a dog.? I am going on day 3. It lightly scratched my daughter.Do i worry?

Submitted: 51 days and 13 hours ago.
Category: Cat
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Accepted Answer

Hi,

I'm so glad you were able to save this poor furbaby and have him treated by the vet! Kudos to you! : )

If he is estimated to be about 9 weeks old, he should begin his vaccinations, which are usually started around two months of age, but the vet most likely waited for him to become stronger and get rid of the fleas, etc., before testing him for feline diseases and then vaccinating. However, do call the vet and ask if he was vaccinated at all.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/vaccinations.html


I really don't think you have any cause to worry about rabies. If he had the disease, he would be exhibiting some symptoms, however, don't allow your daughter or your dog to be in contact with the kitten until he's definitely flea-free and has been tested/vaccinated.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/rabies.html

Cat scratches can be dangerous to humans because the claws carry bacteria. If your daughter was only scratched lightly, that's good, however if it did break the skin, I assume you cleaned it properly with hydrogen peroxide and then applied Neosporin.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/catscratch.html

Regarding the fleas, hopefully the vet's treatment (baths/shot?) has been successful. If he still seems to have live, biting fleas on him, you can bathe him in warm water with a few drops of original blue Dawn dishwashing liquid or any name brand you have in the house. Make sure not to get the lather into his eyes, nose, mouth or ears. Rinse well with clear water and towel dry. Don't let him get a chill while damp.

Ask the vet when you can apply a topical flea treatment like Advantage, Frontline or Revolution, bought from the vet or at a discounted price at sites online. He's old enough to use the formula for KITTENS at this time, if he's over 8 weeks old. Don't ever use any over the counter flea meds sold in supermarkets and pet stores, as they are not effective and will seriously harm the kitty. Hartz and Sergeant's are the biggest offenders!

Definitely keep him inside; it's too cold for him outside. If you don't have a spare room,the bathroom will have to do for now, but make sure he has food, water, litter, a bed, toys, etc. in there. Once he's vaccinated and flea-free you can slowly introduce him to your dog and you'll find some good tips on that, here:

http://www.petplace.com/cats/introducing-your-new-cat-to-your-household/page1.aspx

I hope all will be well with your new furry guy!

Cher

Edited by Jessesmom on 10/2/2009 at 6:37 AM

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Expert: Jessesmom
Pos. Feedback: 99.7 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 10/2/2009

Feline Specialist Health/Behavior

Feline Healthcare and Behavior Specialist 40+ years Experience

51 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

Thanks, the vet did a early test for FIV and Leaukemia (sorry can't spell it) They said 12 weeks was when they usually do it but i begged. They came out negative. As for rabies I have read some scary stories online about it. I know there is a period of time you are supposed to quarantine the strays. But you think it would show some symptoms now?? If he was recently infected how long would it take to show any signs???He is loving and even let me comb him and I bathed him a little cause he got poop on his paws pretty bad...LOL! He didn't try to scratch me or bite at all. Just purred. He cries loud when he is alone but I know that is cause he is scared and wants his mommy. I just don't want to risk anything with my daughter. She did get a scratch I treated it right away and keep telling her not to try and play with him now because we don't know if he could be sick. As for the vet I have an appt. in 2 weeks. Then a few weeks after that to start all his shots. Nobody mentioned rabies till the local animal people said something to a neighbor about quarantine time and they may not show symptoms right away. The kitty had no bites on it. It did have a scratch above its eye but its already gone. He is getting stronger and wanting to come out and play. I combed him for fleas today and didn't even see one on him. I know eggs can be around the house now but I am cleaning like crazy and trying to avoid it. I put advantage on my dog as soon as we came home and I applied some on the kitty that the vet gave me today. But I had to was the poop of him and I think I washed some of that off. My big concern was rabies or something else he could have from the outdoors. I feel like I have a lion in the bathroom after reading some horror stories..LOL! The vet and crew did a great job even stayed late to help. Sent me home with little heating pad things I can heat in the microwave to put in his bedding to keep him warm. I keep doing that. :) Sorry to write so much. I am not used to taking animals off the street into my house. Just being a nervous mommy.

Posted by Jessesmom 51 days and 12 hours ago.

Answer

Hi again, and you're most welcome; thanks very much for your accept and your reply.

Please, no apologies; I know you're worried because you took him in from outside, and you're a great pet parent! : ) Of course I can't tell you for sure, but it's most likely that he does not have rabies. Don't believe all the horror stories, or you'll make yourself crazy! : ) If the vet gave you Kitten Advantage today (make sure never to mix up your dog's Advantage and the Kitten's Advantage, or the kitten would get a huge overdose, which is not uncommon for pet owners to do, and it does not have a good outcome), you applied it and then bathed him, or got him wet shortly thereafter, it might not be effective, but you cannot take a chance and give him another dose, so, hopefully, enough remained to be effective.

Yes, he will 'yell' in that bathroom, because #1. cats HATE closed doors, and #2. he wants to be with you and the family and he does miss his mom and siblings. The heatable pad the vet gave you was great! Just make sure you don't make it too warm for him.

Continue to remind your daughter not to play with him yet, until you're sure he's disease- free, and try to supervise him yourself. He sounds like a sweetie and he's lucky to have found your wonderful home!

Cher

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