Hi everyone. I currently volunteer at a shelter, and am starting to wonder just how easily I can bring something home! My 6 here are vaccinated with Distemper combo (chalmidia, calici, psittaci, rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia), so I would LIKE to think that it would offer significant protection, but at the shelter, I could be handling anything. I do change clothes when I get home and sanitize my hands, but it doesn't alleviate my concern for my kids.
What got me thinking about this is tonite I was snuggling with a stray kitten who had just come in, and a few staff members pointed out that his eyes looked like he might be sick. They weren't crusty or anything, just VERY "moist" looking. One of the staff thought maybe chlamydia or distemper might be the cause, and I thought "wow, and I am holding him, and going home!". I love doing the shelter work, and will continue to do it, but what risk am I presenting at home? Any ideas, suggestions, thoughts, etc will be greatly welcomed. Thanks!!
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HOW Contagious??
Replies (2)
I once had a long talk with my vet about this very issue. His take was that if whatever was on you dried up, then the chances of carrying a disease on your person to another cat are very remote. I don't think you need to worry given the fact that you do clean up as soon as you get home. I would avoid snuggling the kitties until I changed clothes and washed for sure!
That was a question I had asked my vet about since I am involved in rescue work and tend to snuggle with a lot of sick kitties, plus the fact that I was bringing home fosters. My vet said that most diseases need close contact to be passed along and that if my cats were vaccinated and if I changed clothes and washed really good before touching my cats, chances were pretty slim that mine would contract anything. I leave my shoes outside the door so I don't accidentally bring anything in on the soles too.
I may be a little extra paranoid because I did lose a cat in '94 to FIP, but chances of passing anything along to your cats is minimal if you take the proper precautions.
Purrs,
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