New kitten: How to introduce? Is FeLV testing crucial for safety?

Hi and thanks for using PetCoach! Sorry to hear about Stoffel. So I would not introduce a new kitten right now and here is why. Stoffel's first test may have been negative but it could have been early in the infection and the first test didn't pick it up. So I would advise just like the American Association of Feline Practitioners, retesting Stoffel in 60 days. If that test is negative then I would go ahead and consider getting a new kitten then. Make sure that kitten has tested negative at least twice 60 days apart and the kitten has not been in a high-risk environment where a Feline Leukemia virus exposure was possible or the kitten was allowed to be outside. If the kitten has one negative test it is advised that the kitten is quarantined away from Stoffel for 60 days until another test can be performed. I will copy and paste the practice guidelines from the Association here and give you the link to their website. Testing for FeLV and FIV All cats should be tested at appropriate intervals based on risk assessment. Test new cats entering a household or group housing as in shelter or cattery settings. Test again at least 60 days later, limiting exposure to other cats if possible during that time. https://www.catvets.com/ Good luck with Stoffel and the new kitten. Happy holidays

You have a little bit of a tricky situation. The only way your 8 year old cat can get Feline Leukemia is if the kitten is infected and shedding the virus. Since the kitten tested negative before you brought him home, you know he was not shedding the virus at that time. BUT since you know he was around another cat that could have have been shedding the virus, he could still become positive from that exposure (which can take a little while to test positive for). The safest thing to do for your 8 year old cat would be to keep him separated from the kitten for the next 90 days, then retest the kitten for Feline Leukemia. If he is negative at that time, then you can reintroduce them. Good luck! I hope everything is fine and that was helpful. Let us know if that doesn't make sense or if you have any other questions. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Feline leukemia is spread mostly by fighting and breeding and most mature cats have some natural immunity. There is always a risk if you haven’t had the kittens tested so I would request a Felv/Fiv test and if they are negative then your cat should be safe to play with them. I don’t wait until they are six months to test kittens. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Munchie.

Most tests are fairly accurate if the results are negative. However there can be false positive test results if done early in age due to antibodies from the mother. I would recommend a vet visit and discuss your concerns with Cagney's vet. But many times it is worth testing earlier and start vaccines. If the test is positive then further testing or quarentine may be required but if negative he may be able to be intetgrated into the rest of the household.

Good question. There is no particular age but a good idea would be to have them coexist when the youngest is fully vacicnated. I would wait at least 2 weeks after fully vaccinating the youngest one. If you really want to be cautious I would wait until they are all at least 8 months of age, because they are nearing adulthood and have a pretty sturdy immune system by then. Continue to have them tested for FeLV once a year to ensure everyone is still negative because the vaccine is not 100% protective, but still pretty effective. Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and take care of your kitties! Take care.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding the kittens. I would also check to see that they have been tested for FeLV (feline leukemia) and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). They need a fecal sample tested and to have been dewormed prior to introducing them to each other. If they have had these tests done, then they certainly would likely enjoy some companionship. I hope this information helps!

I'm glad you are doing your homework before bringing new fur babies into the situation. Most shelters will routinely deworm their pets and test for leukemia and FIV. So you definitely want to make sure these treatments/tests are run prior to adopting the new kittens. Its not unusual for new cats and kittens to break with upper respiratory infections within the first 2 weeks of being adopted. Herpes virus is very common in cats (some estimate 80% of cats carry the virus) and it comes out in the stress related to being in a shelter and being rehomed. Now, this is not going to happen to every cat/kitten but its not unusual. Therefore, your best chance to avoid this would be to get a cat/kitten that has been kept in a foster home. It will likely still have herpes but the environment should be less stressful, therefore less risk of the virus becoming active. Keep the new pet separated for 2 weeks. That way if it does have an outbreak, you will at least have it contained. You could also put your cats on 500mg of lysine twice daily to help booster their immune system. Kittens get 250mg twice daily. Please post again if you have any further questions!