one cat was sick, the other not.

[bebe]

Hello!

I brought in a stray cat last week who was freezing outside. Upon taking her to the vet, I discovered that she weighed 3 pounds, had recently been a mother (although regretfully I'm sure the -58 degree Montreal cold would have done the kittens in), and that she was ill with a respiratory infection and painful ulcers in her mouth. The vet gave me some antibiotics (Clavamox, 1 pill 2x daily, and some eye ointment, applied to one eye 3x daily) and told me to keep her seperate from my 3 year old, 20 pound ball of joy. It's now been 5 days and her health seems much better, I don't think she's sneezing or sniffly at all anymore.

Anyway my question is, is it safe for me to introduce the new cat to my old one given that she's been on medication and seems more or less well again? How many days should I wait? My cat's shots are almost up to date (they should have been done this month), but I am a student and am having trouble with the vet bills for this one as is. Also, the new cat was tested for feline leukemia and FIV and tested negative. I'm going to bring her in for her usual new kitty vaccinations this week as per the vet's instructions.

Also, any suggestions for lessening the blow of introducing these two very strong personalities to each other? One is a big fatso, declawed but notorious for being physically assertive, and the other is a 3 pound waif, but she's feisty with claws to boot. I figure the fact that she's been in the bathroom for almost a week now is a good start.

[Furbaby Mom]

I would wait on introductions until she is back at the vet this week. I would strongly suggest a fecal exam for giardia and coccidia and a deworming (regardless of fecal results). I'm glad you already tested for FeLV/FIV, as I would have recommended that also. Do NOT introduct them right after the vet visit - the new cat will bring home scents from the office that the resident may not like.

In the mean time, you might want to start swapping their "scents". Put a towel on the floor in the bathroom and get new kitty to lay on it. Once her scent is on it, bring the towel out to your resident cat. Do the same in reverse (blanket, bed, shirt, towel) with your resident cat.

I personally like to start introductions first thru a scent exchange, then thru open mesh gates (baby gates). It will take 3 of them to close off a doorway, but gives them both sight contact as well as strong scent contact. I recently purchased 3 gates at Walmart for $7 a piece (on sale). I have used this method for up to 6 weeks on strong personality cats. You will see how they respond to each other thru the mesh without the need to worry about fights in the house, and can use their reaction to judge when to let them loose together.

As much as you want your family to instantly bond, don't get frustrated if it doesn't happen overnight. Cats are very territorial by nature and the longer they exchange their scent in advance, the easier the introduction usually is.

Good luck!

[dsmith]

You never really said what the "fatso" cat's sex was. That's very important in the scheme of living together. I have a 17 yr old skinny spayed female & a stray kitten came into our back yard about a 1 1/2 yrs ago and never left (my son claimed her). We love her, had her spayed as well & let her in whenever she wants. She has a very dominant personality and is very mean to my older cat, chasing her, scratching at her, trying to get her to fight every chance she gets (which I must say really annoys me!) It's not just a kitten thing, she really loves to pester and pick fights. I talked to my vet about the hate-hate relationship my two females display and she did say that females typically have issues, whereas, male-female or male-male introductions may eventually get used to each other & have no problems.
Good Luck!