Hi, Pam, Congrats on RTs bloodwork, your new nonfurbaby, and your new adoptee! Way to go! I had to respond since we also have a Siamese mix who is Tortie point! Frankie is a beautiful little girl. Anyway, she is in love w/ our positive kit George, and I've thought of letting them mingle, so here is some info I've gathered. > -She will initially be kept separated from the other two, but for how long do > I need to do this? To start getting some protection from the vaccine I was told you need to wait four to six weeks. This will also give the new kitty time to recover from her spay and she will be eating that good food you feed 'em to build up her immune system. However, you may want to want to wait until after you do the felv booster if you do that. I have actually been looking into using the felv nosode for Frankie, but that another story.... > -What is the best way to introduce her to Lai-Tai and Rissa-Tai? All cats are different, but in general it's been my experience that female cats have the hardest time getting along. Still, my Frankie (the meezer) is a very social cat who seems to get along w/ any cat in the house she can tolerate (we have 15 now). I Pam Johnson's method of introduction. You keep the new kitty in a separate room, so the kits can sniff each other under the door and get used to each other's smell. By the door, you do positive reinforcement stuff w/ the residents cats (like play with them or feed them). You gradually open the door a crack so they can look at each other. i think Johnson even suggested using a screen door or baby gate--any hissing etc. you go back to the shut door. Johnson also uses flower essences (not sure which ones right now--maybe Quaking Grass--it's individualized, too). Johnson uses a very gradual approach, which IMO is the least stressful, but I've seen other strategies that seem to work for folks, too. > -What do I do if she is positive for anything? There is no way we can afford > to do with another animal what we've done with Rissa-Tai, both Chuck and I > agree/understand that, and it puts this whole thing in a very strange light. You'll just have to play it by ear. She's probably negative, but if she's positive, she may just be a carrier (nonsymptomatic). All we do for George is give him the good food, coQ10, a multiglandular, and Ambrotose (an aloe vera derivative). It's just maintanence and not that costly. > I'm also worried about Rissa-Tai's health, and I'm worried that it will take > a dive and that it will be my fault. I just couldn't leave her, she was too > precious, and I figured if she was negative for everything she was still > better off here with us than being put to sleep. This is a concern, but if the intros go smoothly, then it may not be that stressful. If not, then you can try to find a good home through your vet's recommendations. Susan
