Cat Processing 101

Cat Processing 101
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

All animals are processed thru a minimum of a two week quarantine when they come to Rikki's. We cannot risk any of our residents catching something from "the outside world". Our residents are our first concern. When a new resident joins us they go into quarantine. In the case of cats, it's usually two weeks, unless there are "issues". Like persistent worms, a bad case of ear mites, they get sick during their two weeks or they need additional veterinarian work like neutering or spaying or a current rabies vaccination or a dental.

We have an extensive parasite prevention program because we simply cannot afford to have all of our animals infected by parasites brought in by one animal. An otherwise healthy and "ready to go" cat receives two preventative parasite treatments as well as a physical and any needed vaccinations. They are treated for fleas and ticks, ear mites, mange mites, a whole host of possible internal parasites and given vaccinations. The typical cat will have his or her ears cleaned and mite prevention dripped in. They will receive a capsule of worming meds and 2 cc of liquid worming meds. They get an injection for mites and other parasites and one for distemper and those other nasty things. Then they get flea drops. If they didn't come with a current rabies certificate or it's due to expire soon, they also get a trip to the vet to update that. A full exam includes various body orifices being poked and prodded, otoscope in ears, thermometers in unpleasant places, eyes examined, mouth pried and held open so teeth can be examined - visually we hope but all too often with the ferals we get to feel first hand how well those teeth are working - stethoscope pressed against chest and abdomen, nails clipped - often after being extracted from human flesh.

And two weeks later it's all repeated. And if all looks well at that time they get to move into their new cat house. We have 8 temporary pens for cat quarantine that can hold up to six cats each. Some will have to be quarantined in cages in our hospital. When a family comes in together we prefer to keep them together in a temp pen than in individual cages. it's much more homey and much less scary. Lots of kitties who've come to Rikki's in the last 8 months thank Ron for the temp pens.

These kitties have been captured in their temp pens and brought up to the hospital for "processing".