Health Care For Feral Cats

Feline Health Care

Viral Diseases

The three major feline viral diseases are Feline Leukemia (FeLV), Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), all of which
appear to exist more in domestic cats than in feral cat populations. Since they
can be fatal to cats, it is logical that should one or more of these diseases enter a
colony, mortality would be high and subsequently the viability of the colony would
be jeopardized.
ACA recommends only the first few cats of a feral cat colony be tested for
FeLV/FIV, and if found negative not to pursue further testing. If time and money
allow, both FeLV and FIV can be easily tested with a combined ``in-house'' test
kit, thus assuring a negative status for every cat neutered and released. A reliable
test for FIP is not available. Any cats testing positive for either FeLV or FIV,
unless isolation and retesting in 2 months is feasible, should be euthanized to
avoid spread of the diseases to the rest of the colony and to domestic cats.

Distemper
Distemper (Feline Panleukopenia) can cause high morbidity and mortality in a
group of feral cats. For this reason, one vaccination of Feline Panleukopenia is
recommended for all cats neutered. This provides one year and possibly up to
three years of protection from this virus, primarily fatal to kittens. The respiratory
component of the vaccine will not provide protection unless repeated at a
recommended three week interval.

Parasites
Fleas, Ticks, and Ear Mites
Fleas, ticks, ear mites and other external parasites can be treated while the cats
are anesthetized for surgical neutering, by cleaning their ears and applying a
topical miticide. The use of injectable Ivermectin, a de worming agent for cattle, at
0.1 cc per 10 pounds subcutaneously can be used to aid ear mite control.

Roundworms, Hookworms, and Tapeworms
Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and other internal parasites can be
eliminated with injections. Droncit is a one dose de worming agent for
tapeworms approved for use in cats. Ivermectin, though not approved for use in
cats, can effectively de worm for roundworms and hookworms at 0.15 cc per 10
pounds subcutaneously. Neither agent needs to be repeated. Occasionally, the
injection sites can be a source of temporary discomfort. The use of Ivermectin
avoids having to assure that oral medication is consumed and not vomited.
None of the above parasite control measures prevents feral cats from re
infestation upon release back to their colony. They do allow the cat to be free of
parasites during recovery from surgery. In addition, de worming individual cats
should reduce the overall parasite population in the colony.

Upper Respiratory Viruses
Feral kittens trapped for neutering are susceptible to upper respiratory viruses,
perhaps due to the stress of human handling. Many of the kittens will survive
these illnesses if they can be kept long enough to treat and if they will eat.
Warmth, good nutrition, antibiotic eye ointments and oral antibiotics are
recommended until recovery is complete.

Wounds
A feral cat's skin should be examined for wounds, which can be cleaned and
treated while the cat is anesthetized for surgical neutering. Any suspicious lesion
should be examined for the fungus commonly known as ringworm, which is more
common in kittens than adults. Any cat suspected of having ringworm should be
handled with gloves. Topical treatment of lesions can be started in the hospital,
but many acute cases are self-limiting.

Neutering
All male cats can be castrated and released the day following surgery. Many
veterinarians recommend a flank incision for spaying females. The use of absorb
able sutures with or without the use of surgical glue (Nexaband) can facilitate the
rapid recovery and early release of females. If non-absorb able sutures are used,
a minimum of five to six days must be allowed before they can be removed.

Feral cats may need medical care beyond neutering before they are released.
Whatever diseases they carry could be a threat to their fellow feral cats and to
domestic cats who are not properly vaccinated. While feral cats pose very few
health hazards to humans, simple precautions when handling them are always in
order. Domestic cats should be properly vaccinated to avoid any contamination
from feral populations.