Stray cat question

[GoldenNaturalPets]

Hello,

I am 28 years old and I've always loved animals.  My cat is 7 years old and she was a stray when I received her as a gift.  I've had her for 7 years now w/ little to no health issues.

However, I recently moved into an area that has stray cats and one particular cat was a neighbors pet but they put him outside because they didnt want him anymore.  Myself and other neighbors started feeding him and a couple of stray cats.  Well for some reason 3 of the cats love my front door and patio area.  I feed them daily but this particular stray cat has grab my heart.  His temperment is great, he's playful and lovable.  He's been outside now as a stray for about 6 months and seems to enjoy the outside area w/ the other cats but is very vocal now on my patio when he wants to eat and come inside for a little while just to enjoy the comfort of a home.

I went online and bought cat flea advantage for my cat and the other strays to prevent a flea issue since they run into my home sometimes when I open my door.  This particular cat has a dis-charge coming from his eyes and I am afraid that it may be a virual infection and I do not want my cat to get sick.

Can this be passed to my cat even though she keeps a distance from this cat?  Should I take him to a near by vet and get him shots, micro-chipped, a tag and leave him outside?  His tolerence for inside the home is very short now, I kinda feel bad for leaving him outside but I also feel bad for not helping and taking him in.  I can tell he is a pretty exspensive breed but I'm not sure exactly what breed he is.

Any advice will be helpful....I'm starting to lose sleep when I dont see him in a day or two.

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Good evening to you and let me first say thanks for your obvious devotion to this stray cats.  You should be commended for your care and concern.

You are right to be concerned about a possible transmission of something infectious, viral or bacteria to your female kitty.  Since you don't know the vaccine history of the little guy, I would definitely try to keep the cats separate until you can get him examined by a veterinarian.   In all likelihood, the discharge you are seeing is simply a herpes virus type of infection, but there are several other viruses that could cause similar symptoms.  You didn't mention what vaccines your girl has had or when, but luckily, many of these viruses are self-limiting and don't cause severe disease.  

I would definitely take the stray in for vaccines and an exam...it can only help keep everyone in your home happier and healthier.

One final note...flea products bought online can often be counterfeit or even illegal.  Please use caution when getting flea meds this way.  Your best bet and safest course is to check with your veterinarian for these products.

Good luck to you!

[GoldenNaturalPets]

Hi,
Thank you so much for the response!  My female kitty is up-to-date w/ her vaccines.  I made an appointment for tomorrow to take him and her in to be examed and for vaccines.  

I was not aware that online flea medications were illegal! (I'll never do that again!)

I took him a bath and bought him his own bed, so he can stop sleeping in my cats!  LOL  (she hate it!) :-)

Hopefully he will make a great addition to this family!