If you find a stray cat, there are a few different things you could do. You could take it to the local humane society or cat rescue. Or, if you're confident the cat's owner cannot be found, you could choose to keep the stray cat and make it your own. Should you choose to keep the cat, you will want to make a prompt appointment with your veterinarian and make sure the cat is brought up to date on its healthcare. Here are some of the common veterinary treatments stray cats need when adopted into a home.
Flea Treatment
Fleas are really common outside, and most stray cats have them. Fleas are not just an annoyance. They can lead to skin infections, and they also spread tapeworms to cats. Your vet will want to give the cat a flea treatment during its first visit. Usually, this is a topical treatment that kills all adult fleas and keeps flea eggs from hatching. Your vet will probably prescribe a preventative flea treatment for you to keep giving the cat once a month.
Deworming
Tapeworms, roundworms, pinworms — these are just a few of the types of worms that can infest cats. Your vet may take a fecal sample and analyze it for parasite eggs. They might just give your cat a dewormer regardless, figuring that as a stray, there's a high likelihood the cat has worms.
Rabies Vaccine
Rabies is a viral disease that is spread not only by cats, but also by most other mammals including raccoons, foxes, and bats. All cats should be kept up to date on their rabies shots not only to protect the cats, but also to protect their owners. Your vet will likely vaccinate the stray cat for rabies during your first visit.
The FVRCP Shot
There are many different diseases cats can catch and carry, but the most common ones are feline viral rhinopneumonitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. One vaccine, called the FVRCP shot, can protect your cat against all of these diseases. Since there's no easy way to tell whether your stray cat has been vaccinated for these diseases in the past, your vet will generally administer this vaccine the first time you bring the cat in.
Many stray cats can become good indoor cats in time. Taking good care of their health via the above preventative services and treatments is a good place to start. For more information, contact a veterinarian near you.
Share6 October 2021
For years, I wanted to fill my home with happy animals. When I got married, my spouse wanted a pet just as much as I did, and it was great to start looking for pets together. We were able to find a rescue animal who worked well with our budget and our lifestyle, and it was neat to give that sweet animal a home. However, after we brought the pet into our home, we realized that he needed some medical care. We turned to a veterinarian for advice on his medical health, and we worked on getting him completely vaccinated. Check out this blog for more information on finding help early.
