Can I bring cat flu home to my healthy cats after visiting an infected one?

Great question! If the kitten has fleas or intestinal parasites , you could bring those things home. I would recommend washing your hands and changing your clothes before coming in contact with your cat. Otherwise you should be fine. Kisses to Lucy!

Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This is an undesirable situation to be in when adopting a new kitten. You did the right thing by leaving kitty there becuase upper respiratory infections are highly contagious. However, if your cats are up to date on their FVRCP vaccine, this greatly reduces the chances of them getting ill also. There is a small chance that the virus can survive on fomite objects, but typically it is spread through direct contact or through aerosolized droplets from oral secretions, similar to the flu or common cold. You can change your clothing just to be safe, before coming in contact with your cats and home and just wash your clothing as you normally would, and monitor your cats for any symptoms. However, like I said, there is a low chance of transmission this way. Upper respiratory infections are very common in cats, so once the kitty is free of illness, wait about 10 days before considering adopting him. He also should be up to date on his vaccinations. Once a cat gets infected, they are likely to get re-infected in the future and have upper airway issues as an adult. I hope this helps and best wishes with your prospect kitty. Take care.

It is possible that you could spread the disease, but if your cats are appropriately vaccinated they should have some degree of immunity to it. Keep an eye on them for changes in behavior/illness and call your veterinarian if anything changes.

I'm assuming that your cat has an upper respiratory virus like herpesvirus or calicivirus. It is fine to vaccinate cats who have been already infected, especially since this is typically a combination vaccine that covers other viruses as well. There is some evidence that the intranasal vaccine could lessen the severity of signs in a cat who is having an outbreak, but if your cat is already infected the vaccine will not cure him. If you introduced another cat and Frank became symptomatic again (i.e. sneezing, watery eyes or nasal discharge) the new cat could catch the disease. That being said, these viruses are extremely common and many kittens have been exposed even before they are vaccinated. If you are concerned you could always consider adopting an older cat who already has been vaccinated.

Cat Flu is a general term that refers to an upper respiratory infection. In kittens, the biggest causes are usual one of a couple of different viruses that will go away with the infection. One of the viruses (herpes virus) will stay latent in the body and may come out again during times of stress. However, most cats have this virus already, so it's not standard for us to recommend isolation for the rest of kittenhood based on a history of cat flu. I would double-check the reason for the recommendation. I suspect there was something else going on with that case. The kitten should not be contagious if there were no signs of infection when you got her. Outside cats pose a risk of transmitting FIV and FeLV, which both affect the immune system and can be quite severe in kittens. I'm assuming that's why they recommended her not to go outside. From what you've described, I don't think you have much to worry about. Shelters commonly adopt out kittens with a history of cat flu and it's rarely a problem. Again, I think it's worth talking to the Vet at the SPCA. Sometimes the staff do not fully understand the situation and may have not explained this well enough. I hope that helps and you enjoy the new kitten. It's always great to see people adopting, so good on you.

1. Yes, Sifu can and should be vaccinated since the vaccine for the cat respiratory viruses (herpes and caliciviruses) also covers the panleukopenia virus. While some cats will continue to have intermittent symptoms of respiratory viruses others do not so it’s possible that Sifu will completely ‘recover’. 2. Routine cleaning should eliminate the virus from your room, so it should be okay to move Panda back. Cats can continue to shed virus even after their clinical signs are gone so I typically recommend waiting at least two weeks after clinical signs are gone to introduce Sifu and Panda. You should consider getting Panda vaccinated as well.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Some illnesses can be transmitted from one cat to another from your hands or clothing. I recommend washing hands and possibly leaving shoes away from your cats if the stray sneezed on or near them. Basic good hygiene will help prevent disease transmission to your kitties. If you are able please take the stray into the vet as soon as you are able as it sounds like she may have a significant respiratory infection. Be sure that she is tested for feline leukemia and FIV before you ever let her near your cats to be safe.