Veternarian People Question
 

I was at Petco last week, and among all the other cats up for adoption was a beautiful black kitty. He was two months old, but had streaks of what looked like mucus dried from each side of his mouth, and there was a note that he would need a lot of medication & had already been neutered.

I always "chin chuck" all the cats who let me, but something told me, that, even though this little guy was mewing pitifully, not to try to touch him, so I took the soft end of a pen, and scratched his head. He really seemed to like it for a moment, then tried to hiss, but just made a lot more mucus. I was worried that he might have something contagious, so I threw out the pen.

While checking out, I asked the clerk about him. She said that he had been feral, and did have distemper (the hydro- word). I asked why, at two months, didn't they put him down? And also, if he had such a problem, why was he with all those other cats?

I didn't get what I considered a real answer. Should this poor little guy be with other cats? I'm really questionning if we should even go to this store anymore, if their practices aren't up to par!

First off, it is very hard to transform feral into pet. It takes more patience than the average cat owner. I personally wouldn't adopt the cat out until extensive socialization had occured.

Second, any cat with an active illness shouldn't be housed with adopable cats, and probably shouldn't be up for adoption until such illnesses are treated. At least, that seems to be the consensus with most shelters I've worked at.

Third, if it actually was distemper, it is not neccesarily a death sentence. It should depend on what stage the disease is at. Typically in a first stage diagnosis, the outcome can be positive; however, second stage (seizures, convulsions) the outcome is less than ideal.

I am not a vet, I am simply a vet tech who works at a shelter. I am applying to vet school though.

I've always thought the PetCo adoption centers were always kind of shady. They'd take in animals from rescue groups, which is nice, but they don't care of them after they are in care. It's ridiculous.

But having a kitten with possible distemper mixed in with other "adoptable" cats is risky. Those guys are usually quarantined. And if deemed un-adoptable and/or terminally ill, they can be put into a foster home until they pass away or they are put to sleep. It's a sad process, but sometimes that's reality.

First off I wouldn't blame it on Petco...my understanding is that they have pets brought in from the shelters around here, I don't know how they would know what they're going to get.

Also if you asked the Petco clerk rather than a volunteer from the shelter, they probably didn't have a clue. I would call the shelter who was sponsoring the adopt-in (or whatever you want to call it) and ask if you have concerns. I'm guessing it was Animal Friends since they're the only ones I know of who deal w/ ferals.

I'm not familiar with cats, but this is making me curious. What is feral and distemper?

Dictionary.com:

fe·ral ( P ) Pronunciation Key (fîrl, fr-)adj.

Existing in a wild or untamed state.
Having returned to an untamed state from domestication.
Of or suggestive of a wild animal; savage: a feral grin.



dis·tem·per1 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ds-tmpr)n.

An infectious viral disease occurring in dogs, characterized by loss of appetite, a catarrhal discharge from the eyes and nose, vomiting, fever, lethargy, partial paralysis caused by destruction of myelinated nerve tissue, and sometimes death. Also called canine distemper.
A similar viral disease of cats characterized by fever, vomiting, diarrhea leading to dehydration, and sometimes death. Also called feline distemper, panleukopenia.
Any of various similar mammalian diseases.
An illness or disease; an ailment: “He died... of a broken heart, a distemper which kills many more than is generally imagined” (Henry Fielding).
Ill humor; testiness.
Disorder or disturbance, especially of a social or political nature.

Okay, then I'm not out in left field. I was really concerned for the other cats, but then again, I had always equated distemper with fatality. I'm assuming that this little guy had the second stage, with the little convulsion he had.

I also questioned about neutering at two months. Is that the standard practice, or do you think that was done because of the distemper? For some reason, I can't get this little guy out of my mind - he was just so tiny and so fragile... :(

Neutering can take some of the wildness out of an animal. For instance, they have found that you could actually make a groundhog a pet, but only after it's neutered. So, yes, I am assuming they are trying to ease the distemper.

My husband is a Vet at the university. He is also part of AVMA, Vet pathologist and is going for his 2nd board in Lab Animal Medicine...

I work in Comparative Medicine with a lot of vets. And they have to follow Institution of Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) standards under AALAAS--lab animal medicine following governmental procedures of Office of Lab Animal Welfare (OLAW)...

So basically, all animals coming into my own personal house have to be thoroughly documented... ;)

My husband told me I can never purchase or adopt an animal from Petco... Then he showed me the quality of animal care... He is an aquatic vet--fish and frogs. All of Petco's fish had fungal infections that are difficult to treat... Most of the workers are not trained as vet-techs or anything above that. Barely a vet works there and these places are not as highly regulated from the government like a farm, shelter or university...

"Adoption Day" at Petco would need a recourse with constant vet care if you choose to adopt the animal. Also, purchase medical insurance on the animal.

Feral animals are extremely difficult to handle, generally. I would read up on handling these kinds of animals.

Then I would get extensive medical documentation on the animal because the problems you are noticing could be just about anything...

For what it's worth, I worked at a Petsmart in HS. The aquatics and rodents departments were managed by people who did not have formal training outside of Petsmart's special "school." That being said, where should you buyaquarium fish?

Just to clarify - the cats (and occasionally dogs) in question do not "live" at Petco. They are brought in by local animal shelters and only there for limited hours. This is so more people can see the animals and so people who might be wary of visiting a shelter (our shelters aren't in the best neighborhoods) can see them as well. The only animals that live at Petco are fish and ferrets, mice etc.

Regardless, these Big Name Pet Stores just don't have the where with all to handle pets.

If one wants to adopt a pet, go to the local animal control center to do that.

Had a dog named Skipper who I loved dearly who had distemper and I was the one who had to shove a horse pill down His throat.

I still lost Him and was 12.

Go to these Pet Stores and buy accessories only.

It is my understanding that it is impossible to purchase "some" fish without going to a wholeseller... Fish are not governed the same way as the wonderful furry creatures or even the scaly ones...

However, if you want non-tropical freshwater fish, you can "adopt" them from some university laboratories who will not need them for any usage. Those fish are governed by OLAW and have been treated...

Saltwater fish should probably be purchased from a "qualified wholeseller". And Koi should be purchased from an actual Koi-group farm--like the seller is part of a Koi society and you have seen his or her exhibits on several different occasions... Like the Koi person has won several awards with different societies, etc. Or they are truly a certified aquarist or an aquaculturist or a vet with an aquatic/marine animal board certification.

Yeesh, thats pretty messed up:eek: I would hope that didn't happen to that poor thing:(