Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/14/2008

Question
My question is about a wild cat.  My step daughter recently brought a "wild" cat into her mothers' home and they let it in and out of the house.  We know that it is wild and not feral because it has been neutered.  The problem is that her mother has never taken the cat to the vet to get a check up or vaccinations.  One day my step daughter came over to our house with about 14 scratches on her face and neck because the cat had attacked her while she was laying in bed.  We took her to the doctor because we were concerned about any infections that she may have since the cat has not been taken to the vet for a health screening and/or vaccination screening.  The doctor placed her on antibiotics just in case because some of them looked a little deep and informed my step daughter that she should not play with that cat anymore because it was not a cat that seems to want to play with little girls (she is 11) When my husband asked his ex wife to please keep the cat as an outdoor cat or  bring it to the vet to get shots and a health screening she said no because she didn't have the money.  Since we have no say in the cat I wanted to know if there were any sites out there that could keep up informed of any diseases that a wild cat may carry.

Answer
Heather,

A cat can be feral and still be neutered in the Trap/Neuter/Release program. A wild cat can be around ferals and interbreed, spreading their inherited diseases.

Here is a good website for information about feral cat diseases:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.rmaca.org/AboutFeralCats/CommonFeralCatDiseases/tabid/231/Default.asp...

Ferals can be loving BUT they do NOT like to be held or restrained, or petted...except for briefly. Watch if the tail wags or the ears go back. That is when to stop messing with it. They are not like domesticated house cats and do not behave like one. They carry a lot of inherited emotional baggage and distrust of humans.

Most cat diseases, except rabies, are not transferable to humans. We do not have the same makeup as a cat.

Infections occur because of bacteria in the cats mouth. Any scratches or bites need to be cleaned right away. Putting Neosporin on them also helps.

There are a lot of low-cost vaccination clinics that she can take the cat to. Check with the local SPCA or a vet for a list. Getting the cat vaccinated is cheaper than doctor bills for the daughter!

I hope this helps.

Tabbi