cat flu advice

[cathycat]

Thank you! Kittens are booked in for Tuesday and their notes from the rescues vets should be winging their way over to my vets, Unfortunately one of the kittens has developed a "gammy" eye, This doesn't bode well but at least I will be able to have a frank chat with the vet on Tuesday and work out what to do for the best.

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

I agree with Frances that you haven't done anything particularly wrong here. I have learned from experience to be a bit suspicious of the claims that rescues make after they told us that Sky was 'a bit shy' which turned out to be a huge understatement - but I think they are so keen to get the cats to good homes that they maybe tend to be over-optimistic at times.

I really hope that all 3 cats are given a clean bill of health and, in time, become good housemates.

[Frances]

I'm pleased to hear that Alfie is getting better and hope that the kittens are signed off as okay by the vet.  Fingers crossed this just a hiccough in getting them integrated with each other.

[cathycat]

Thank you very much for your reply. Alfie seems to be doing better although his nasal congestion is still bothering him. His eyes are clean and clear. I will get the kittens to the vet asap to check how they are doing.
Thanks again for your help

[Frances]

I don’t think you have done anything wildly different to what I have done when introducing a new cat – quarantine, slow introductions – although I don’t do scent swapping with a blanket.  I suspect that from a new cat’s viewpoint they are aware they are not the only feline in the house.  I think you may have been unlucky rather than messed up.

If I were you I would have the two new kittens checked over by your vet to make sure that any respiratory infection they had in rescue is no longer present – although they appear well there may still be something lurking.  Once you are sure they are not carrying anything then as soon as Alfie has recovered (and is not infectious) you should be able to carry on with the introductions.

I suggest you talk to your vet about your concerns, particularly when you could restart introductions once Alfie is better and the likelihood of them reinfecting each other in future.

[cathycat]

Hello everyone
I'm in a quandry and I just don't know what to do.
A couple of months ago my lovely elderly cat.Charlie was put to sleep. He had heart issues and I miss him as does his feline friend Alfie (they had a strong bond). I decided to adopt another cat from the rescue I got Charlie and Alfie from.
I ended up adopting 2 4/5 month olds who are brother and sister (neutered and vaccinated). Before I brought them home they had been treated for a respiratory infection which was minor and cleared up very quickly.
So I brought them home and they moved into my bedroom while Alfie and I moved into the spare room to sleep and we occupy the rest of the house while I started the process of introduction and began with scent swapping with blankets. After afew days Alfie began sneezing so I took him straight to the vet and has been diagnosed with cat flu He;s on Amoxicillin. He's definately not feeling well and I've taken time off work to keep an eye on him. The kittens are well. I've stopped scent swapping of course and am being careful to keep up with good hygiene and keeping a close eye on all 3.
 I feel terrible as I have caused my Alfie to be ill and have been very naive about the whole adoption process. I just don't know what to do for the best. Hopefully my Alfie will recover as he is vaccinated (as are the kittens) but I can't help thinking I've really messed up and although the kittens infections were played down by the rescue I should have taken it more seriously.
What do I do? Should I return the kittens (Ive grown very attached to them) for the sake of Alfie as they all could keep reinfecting each other?
Any advice would be brilliant. Thank you