Conference misery::feline_v1

    I think everyone does things a little differently when they get
    a new furface.
    
    I ALWAYS isolate the new comer, even if s/he comes with a clean
    bill of health!!  I usually isolate for about 10 days, longer if
    my vet is really busy.  I keep the new one isolated until I can
    get it vet checked and a FelV Negative blood test return.  Even
    if the Vet check only takes a day or two, I still keep them isolated
    for 10 days to make sure that I haven't missed something....a sneeze,
    a cold, runny eyes, ear mites, fleas, fungus, or who knows what!!
    
    Once I feel comfortable with the new kids health, I then begin
    introductions.  
    
    The way I figure it is, it's alot easier taking care of a problem
    on one cat, than trying to take care of the same problem on 8. 
    
    I learned the hard way!!  I bought a cat from a breeder who had
    done a real good job cleaning her ears!!  Got her to the vet the
    same day I picked her up....he didn't find any problems.  I introduced
    her to the rest of the family and two weeks later ... everyone had
    earmites!!!   If I had waited a week, I would have noticed them
    on the newcomer.  Lesson Learned!!  I NEVER introduce a cat without
    at least 10 days of isolation.
    
    purrs
    cin
    

    I agree with Cin, having kept mine isolated for about 10 days
    or more, if possible, for all the reasons she mentioned. There is
    also the possibility of transferrence of parasites (i.e., worms)
    Don't know if kittens that young have worms but suspect they could.
    
    I once cared for a three-month old kitten who nicely shared everything
    with my cats including his case of tapeworms which were spread by
    fleas which he also shared with my cats. 
    
    (Actually I think worms are probably the least important reason for
    isolation, with everything Cin stated as a priority. - But parasites 
    are a consideration).
    
    Pat
    
    
    

    Thanks cin, do you think even now it would be wiser to isolate them?
    I mean, they've been together since yesterday, so when I go home
    tonight put the kitten in a separate room?  I wasn't really sure
    what to do yesterday.  I got RumTum and McCafferty at the same time
    and they were the same age and they were fine, but since I've been
    reading this notes file, I've become aware of so much more information
    about cats.  I just wouldn't want anything to harm them.
    
    Thanks for your advice.
    Erin

    I would, just to be safe, although, alot of things could have been
    spread between them by now, especially if they have been sharing
    the same food/water dishes and litter box.
    
    If they haven't been sharing dishes or "the box" then I would
    definitely keep them separated until you could do a Felv test.
    Of course, licking each other is just as bad as either of the above.
    
    good luck
    cin
    

    Is there still a chance of getting leukemia even though they both
    have been vaccinated?  They haven't been sharing food dishes or
    the box, but then I don't know what has happened today during my
    absence.
    
    The minute I get home I'm going to disenfect everything and then
    set the kitten up in a room of his own.
    
    Erin

    My vet said the leukemia innoculations are not 100% effective.
    I forget the exact % -- maybe 90%.
    

    Well Erin, I don't have advice re isolation etc.. as all my bubs
    have been vacinated etc when I got them, but food!!! Now thats a
    different matter.
    
    Cows milk can give cats diorrehea (yuck), sooo I give my new bubbies
    a mixture of milk and water to dilute it and a calcium powder mixed
    with thier food.  For food for the newies, I give them cottage cheese
    (I don't know if you call it that - its sort of a lumpy bumpy cheese),
    mixed with some sort of "mild" tasting canned cat food. I usually
    start with about a 4:1 (cheese to catfood), and slowly increase
    as it becomes older. Cannned cat foods have the cereal and a lot
    of vitamins in them (check the can for low sodium), and makes the
    weaning a lot easier.
    
    Hope this is of help to you (this method is used by a lot of our
    large cat breeders out here)
    
    Enjoy!!
    
    Alison

    I forgot to mention, goats milk is better than cows milk (they can
    have that undiluted, as apparently the fat globules are smaller
    and easier to digest in their delicate little tummies.
                                                    
    Bye again
    
    Alison
    

    Congratulations on the new kitten - he sounds lovely.
    
    Be careful disinfecting food bowls - a lot of proprietary brands
    are toxic to cats.
    
    Sounds like good advice about the food - six weeks is awfully young
    to be away from Mom and you're going to have to wean him yourself.
    
    Can your vet help, is he the type you can call for advice?
    
    All best wishes to you all.
    
    Kate

    Thanks to you all for your advice.  I've been keeping the new guy
    in my downstairs bathroom (which he doesn't like one bit!) and just
    letting him out while I am there.  He's doing pretty well...I gave
    him a little bit of canned cat food and he _loved_ it!  He goes
    to the vet tomorrow night, and I'm praying all will be ok. 
    
    Thanks again.

    Erin,
    
    Welcome to the new babe!  As for what to feed him, babies need baby
    food.  You might try Iams kitten food or Science Diet Growth, or
    even Purina Kitten Chow (neither of my two liked it, though).  He's
    growing my leaps and bounds (literally!) and he needs the extra
    nutrients.
    
    Does he have a name yet (other than Baby, Little One, or Sweetums)??
    
    How about Biff or Spike??
    
    Mary
    

    Mary,
    
    Thanks for the info on the food.  I've been feeding him baby cereal
    mixed with water and he really likes it!  I'm going to get some
    Kitten Chow this week and try that.
    
    Also, I've named him.....Bustopher Jones (from the Cats play...w/lots
    of help from fellow feline noters!)  its funny, but my husband wanted
    to name him Spike!!! :-)  he calls him that for short.
    

    I forgot to mention in my previous reply, that last Friday was
    Bustopher's first vet visit; he was tested for leukemia (negative!!)
    and seems to be doing just fine in the vets opinion.  
    
    He's getting bigger every day and is getting used to McCafferty
    and RumTum (they are also getting used to him...looks like they
    will all get along fine).

>    Thanks for the info on the food.  I've been feeding him baby cereal
>    mixed with water and he really likes it!  I'm going to get some
>    Kitten Chow this week and try that.
    
my kitties got real dry fur with kitten chow....watch for it.  I suggest
the iams or science diet stuff...healthier coat.    

    The Iams kitten food is chock full of fats, so it should keep Spike's
    coat nice and shiney (and give him extra calories to burn up).
    
    When Chauncey was little, he also got fed baby food (Gerber's, not
    Iams).  I used to mix the Gerber's cereal with some Gerber's strained
    meats (and some warm water), and then I'd mix in the Iams.  After
    a few days, I'd cut back on the Gerber's and eventually to just
    the Iams.  He needs lots of protein and vitamins now and their isn't
    enough in the cereal alone.
    
    Good luck to you and Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town!
    
    Mary