Cat (rescue cat)

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

SignsNo symptoms for years after infection. Stomatitis, gingivitis, wounds that will not heal, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, recurring fever

PreventionBlood test on arrival. Even positive cats live long with indoor housing and less stress. Avoid fights with other cats; isolate

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)

SignsPale gums from anemia, poor appetite, fever, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss. Progresses fast when it develops in young cats

PreventionVaccinate after a negative test. Keep positive cats fully isolated from other cats; do not share bowls or litter boxes

Cat flu (herpesvirus / calicivirus)

SignsSneezing, runny nose, eye discharge, conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, fever, poor appetite. Kittens easily become severe

PreventionGive the core (FVRCP) vaccine. Wipe eye discharge daily; see the vet if the cat stops eating or struggles to breathe through a blocked nose

Intestinal worms and protozoa

SignsDiarrhea, bloody stool, white worms in stool, pot belly, weight loss, dull coat. Coccidia and Giardia become severe in kittens

PreventionFecal test and deworming right on arrival. Retest after 2–3 weeks. Clean the litter box daily and keep it separate from resident cats

Fleas, ticks, ear mites

SignsIntense itching, black specks (flea dirt), hair loss on the back of the neck, black debris in the ears, head shaking

PreventionParasite treatment at the vet on the day of rescue. Use vet-prescribed products, not store-bought ones. Vacuum the room and wash bedding

Ringworm (dermatophytosis)

SignsRound patches of hair loss, dandruff, and scabs on the face, ears, and paws. Spreads to people as a red ring-shaped rash

PreventionSee the vet at once for a fungal culture if there is hair loss. Isolate until cured, change bedding daily and disinfect with boiling water. Wash hands after touching

Old wounds and abscesses

PreventionHave the vet palpate the whole body at rescue to check for wounds and pus pockets. Fight wounds swell several days later

First aidIf swollen and hot, or burst and draining pus, do not squeeze; wipe around it and see the vet the same day. Antibiotics are needed

Aftereffects of traffic accidents

PreventionFormer strays may have hidden pelvic fractures or tail injuries. Watch gait, urination, and defecation during the first week

First aidIf the cat cannot urinate, drags its hind legs, or the tail does not move, keep it level and see the vet the same day for X-rays

Injuries during panic

PreventionDo not try to catch the cat before it is settled. Provide a hideout, do not force holding, always lock windows and screens

First aidIf a claw breaks or the nose bleeds, do not chase; wait for the cat to calm down. If bleeding continues or the cat limps, see the vet the same day

Swallowed objects and poisoning

PreventionScavenging habits from stray days persist. Do not leave out food, trash, houseplants, or medicines

First aidBring the packaging or plant and go to the vet at once. Do not induce vomiting. Lilies and onion-family plants: see the vet even for tiny amounts

Cat-scratch disease

RouteScratches and bites (bacteria carried by fleas)

PreventionFlea treatment on the day of rescue. Wash wounds under running water. See a doctor if lymph nodes swell

Ringworm

RouteContact, shared bedding (fungus)

PreventionIsolate and see the vet if there is hair loss. Wash hands after touching. Disinfect bedding with boiling water

Roundworm and hookworm

RouteEggs and larvae in feces enter through the mouth or skin via hands or litter

PreventionDeworm right after rescue. Wash hands after cleaning the litter box. Do not let children touch feces

SFTS and other tick-borne diseases

RouteContact with or bites from a cat carrying ticks

PreventionTick treatment at rescue. Do not remove ticks bare-handed; go to the vet. See a doctor if you develop a fever

Food

• Start with the food fed at the rescue; switch over one week
• Even for thin cats, do not increase at once; feed 3–4 small meals a day
• Complete and balanced food as the staple. If age is unknown, have the vet estimate it

Water

• Several water bowls in quiet spots. At first, near the hideout
• Strays often drank little; supplement with wet food

Toys & play

• At first, move a wand toy from a distance without making the cat chase
• Once settled, play twice a day for 10 minutes
• Put away string, rubber bands, and plastic after play

Nest, bed & hideout

• A cardboard box or a carrier covered with cloth as the hideout
• Do not move the hideout or peek inside

Bedding & litter

• Litter boxes: number of cats + 1. At first, near the hideout
• Start with the same litter as the rescue and switch gradually
• Do not share a litter box with resident cats until test results are in

Cage / housing material

Steel 2- or 3-tier cage. Essential for the first 1–2 weeks

Size & space

At least 90 W × 60 D × 120 H cm, big enough to hold a hideout

Layout

• Litter box on the bottom tier, bowls in the middle, hideout and bed on top
• Cover with cloth to block the view and keep it reassuringly dark
• Place water away from bowls and the litter box

Placement notes

• Set it up in a quiet room separate from resident cats; let them get used to each other's scent first
• Away from foot traffic, direct sunlight, and drafts

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Strictly indoors. Never let a former stray outside
• Do not force contact until settled; wait for the cat to approach
• Increase play time gradually over a month or more

Temperature & humidity

Temperature20–28°C. Thin cats and kittens are sensitive to cold: around 25°C

Humidity40–60%. Dehumidify in the rainy season to prevent fungal and skin disease

Summer & winter

• Run the air conditioner all summer. Check that heat does not build up inside the hideout
• In winter, put a heating mat in the hideout and watch for dry air

Nail trimming

Do not force nail trimming until settled. Have the vet trim at rescue, then every 2–3 weeks

Brushing, skin & coat care

Start with stroking by hand. Once settled, brush 2–3 times a week. Check for black specks with a flea comb

Other care

Check for ear mites; have ear cleaning done at the vet. Periodontal disease is common, so check the mouth. Vaccinate after testing

Protection from predators

• Fully isolate from resident cats until tests confirm negative
• Escape-prevention netting on windows and balconies, locks on screens
• Introduce dogs and children slowly through a barrier

Foreign-body ingestion

Scavenging habits mean food, trash, string, and rubber bands must not be left out. If vomiting or not eating, do not induce vomiting; see the vet

Being stepped on

Until settled, the cat hides in corners and under cloth; check before sitting or walking. If it limps or gets angry after being stepped on, see the vet the same day

Getting pinched

Startled cats dart into door gaps. Use door stoppers and open and close slowly. If the tail hangs limp or the cat cannot urinate, see the vet immediately

Falls

In panic, cats jump from windows and high places. Screen locks and fall-prevention nets. After a fall, see the vet the same day even if the cat seems fine; internal injuries are possible

Escape

Former strays escape often. Double doors at the entrance; be especially careful the first month. If the cat escapes, search within 50 m of the house at night and ask the rescue about a trap

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and gently push the bitten hand toward the cat
2. With the other hand, drop a towel or blanket over the cat's head
3. The moment the cat loosens its grip, remove the hand
4. Leave the area and let the cat return to its hideout

After the release

Wash the wound under running water for 5+ minutes and disinfect. Bites from former strays infect easily; if it swells, see a doctor the same day

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Rescue source and date, estimated age, test and vaccine records, a stool sample, when it started and what happened, whether there are resident cats

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call the name and poke the body. No response means unconscious
• Watch the chest move. Normal breathing is 20–30 per minute
• Feel the pulse on the inner thigh of a hind leg. Normal is 120–180 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with clean gauze for 5+ minutes
• Wrap a struggling cat in a towel before applying pressure
• For a bleeding claw, press on cornstarch or styptic powder

Transport

• Line the carrier with a towel, keep it dark and warm
• Putting the cat in a laundry net keeps it calm and safe to carry