Previous cat died from FIV - how to prevent new cats from getting it
I have a question about how to get a house safe after having an incontinent, FeLV positive cat in the house for a few years. When I had this cat, I had no other cats. Now I would like to get new cats that are not FeLV positive. I was wondering if the house is safe for these animals after the passing of the FeLV positive cat 4 months ago. My FeLV positive cat past away about 4 months ago. We lived that house for about 4 years. The last 3 years of her life she was getting more and more incontinent, leaving drips on the window sills, carpets and wooden floor. Since she died, I have steam cleaned all but one of the carpets and mopped up just about everywhere she went. Since the floors are old, they absorbed a lot of urine. Even after cleaning them, some stains still remain. Can the Leukemia virus live in those stains? Also, I still have the sofa that she slept on - Will steam cleaning eliminate the virus from there or should I throw it away? Can the leukemia live for a long time in cloth like a carpet or a rug? I have one very large scratching post that she used for about 6 months. Is that still useable or is it unsafe ? Finally is there anything else I should watch out for to ensure that my house is safe for new cats Thank you for your help |
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Dog with problems walking
When I came home from work yesterday, Sparrow(6yo female neutered mix breed), who stays in my basement with access to the crawl space under the house, was having trouble going up the stairs. She seemed sick - hot nose & depressed. She has a knot midway up her tail about the size of a quarter. Her hindquarters are slightly swollen and tender. Her behind was dirty with dust, some fecal matter, and little black dots that looked like flea eggs (she doesn't have fleas - she's on med from the vet.) It seemed she had been dragging her bottom on the ground. My gut feeling is that she may have been bitten by a spider or god forbid a snake (in my basement?!!) but I'm also worried that she's hurt her back. She can still walk - even jump on the bed - but she is not moving correctly. She is still eating and drinking. She's not any worse this morning, but no better. She's not limping, but she acts stiff - is not moving her hind legs with ease, but I don't see where they look out of whack. For example, when she goes up steps, she just goes one step at a time, very slowly and carefully when she usually bounds & skips steps. It doesn't look like she's knuckling over, and her feet and legs look normal. Another thought after babying her this morning - she has had trouble in the past with her anal glands being blocked. Usually I try to massage & expel them when I bathe her. I haven't noticed her dragging her butt, which usually happens when her glands are filled and need expelling, but is it possible this could be the problem? Or constipation?
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