Former "outside cat" as pet?!

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techshare26@yahoo.com - 29 Jan 2006 18:33 GMT

Hey all,

My "neighbor" recently abandoned his "outside cat" because he got two
dogs and the cat doesn't like dogs. So, we decided to take the cat in
our house and we got it fixed, rabies shots, etc. The only problem is
the cat still likes the outside. We have another cat that really won't
run far away from home, but this cat will bolt out the door (when given
a chance) and run away for days at a time. He comes back with open
wounds, ticks, and fleas. The last time he came back he had this weird
looking gash on his rear leg. It was strange because the skin was bare
and raw all around the gash (any ideas on what might have done this to
him?).

At any rate, I'd like to know what kind of risks we might be facing
with disease and such if this cat keeps getting out. I've heard that
you can catch stuff from cats even if they are vaccinated? TIA for any
help here.

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John Ross Mc Master - 29 Jan 2006 20:11 GMT

>Hey all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>a chance) and run away for days at a time. He comes back with open
>wounds, ticks, and fleas.

Give him Program once a month.

>The last time he came back he had this weird
>looking gash on his rear leg. It was strange because the skin was bare
>and raw all around the gash (any ideas on what might have done this to
>him?).

No idea.

>At any rate, I'd like to know what kind of risks we might be facing
>with disease and such if this cat keeps getting out. I've heard that
>you can catch stuff from cats even if they are vaccinated? TIA for any
>help here.

Yes. They can get septic bacteria from open wounds. Vaccines don't
cover this, anymore than humans are covered for infection of wounds.
Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and hope for the best. If the
wound is really bad take him to the vets.

And please, keep him indoors as much as possible.

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Arubalisa - 24 Feb 2006 17:11 GMT

We have 5 guys taken in as strays. All were immediately made indoor
cats. Period.

One guy sreamed so loudly when we trapped him. From the moment he first
stepped foot into our house if anyone opens a door he RUNS in the
opposite direction.

One used to scratch at the windows thinking he could get outside?
Eventually gave up. Now he prefers to watch the world go by from the
comfort of his soft warm bed in front of the window.

Another fellow, escaped through the open legs of a person at an open
door one night. Long gone...we searched and searched...heartbroken, but
found out he was still in the neighborhood. Rocky would swing by the
house once in awhile, wave and say "nah, nah, you can't catch me"! We
set out a Hav-a heart trap and after catching every other cat in the
neighborhood, he finally took the bait.

3 years later and from the time Rocky came back from his extended
"adventure vacation", he still will not go near an open door! He
learned a very hard lesson or so it seems...

So it is not impossible...

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LMR - 16 Feb 2006 17:25 GMT

>run far away from home, but this cat will bolt out the door (when given
>a chance) and run away for days at a time. He comes back with open
>wounds, ticks, and fleas. The last time he came back he had this weird
>looking gash on his rear leg. It was strange because the skin was bare
>and raw all around the gash (any ideas on what might have done this to
>you can catch stuff from cats even if they are vaccinated? TIA for any

If he isn't neutured, get him done asap; he will not want to roam as much
then. Yes, he can pick up rabies, feline leukemia, FIV, FIP and distemper
from other animals (vaccines aren't necessarily a guarantee that he won't
contract one of these diseases). No, you cannot get any of these diseases
from him; they infect cats only (of course, except for the rabies). The gash
on his leg may have come from anything - fight with another cat, attacked by
dog or other animal. Keep an eye it; it can turn into an abcess.

LMR

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