Question:
A friend has asked me to find out anything I can about her dilemma so I thought I would post it here before I crack open the books.

She has a senior cat (16 yrs) and an older cat (8 yrs) who got whatever shots kittens get but have had none since. They've lived in a condo their entire lives but their Mum has recently bought a townhouse with a small, enclosed courtyard. The courtyard has lots of visiting chipmunks and squirrels, the usual urban birds, no rats or rabbits to her knowledge. She has already started to feed the critters so it's unlikely they are going to give up coming around.

She would like to let her kitties out once it warms up a little for some supervised play in her courtyard but is concerned about transfer of diseases and pests. I know I've noticed alot of mange in Toronto this year. Is there anything in particular she should be concerned about with squirrels and chipmunks being in the area ? Anything preventative she can do ?

Answer:
I doubt the rats and rabbits are very far away... I heard there are lots of bunnies around this year, and rats are always there.

And I would be concerned about the two-legged pests too. A friend of mine made a similar move and let her cats out, and someone in the neighbourhood took potshots at them with a bb gun. They don't go out now.

Answer:
That's horrible ! Hers is a fairly upscale neighbourhood ~ not to say it couldn't happen but, it's more unlikely. I found tons of zoonotic information about diseases & pests shared by rodents and cats but I can't find anything on what might be transmitted by indirect contact from rodents-with- furry-tails to cats.

Answer:
Its a possibility that tapeworms could be passed if infected fleas come into the courtyard. I think mosquitos can pass heartworm as well but I don't think it is very common. Keeping the kitties as healthy as possible is always a good preventative measure and not letting them come in contact with any other animals that happen to get into the yard.

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Heartworm warnings have all been for south of the Muskokas, and well that "would" include TO as well... thats one thing I would be looking at for sure.
We do heartworm treatment here ( its reccomended) cause there isnt a little invisable line that the infected mosquitos wont cross..
Anyway, thats all the info i have

Answer:
Thanks everyone ~ I'll pass along your info !

Answer:
It's uncommon for small mammals like chipmunks to have rabies, but it is possible. And depending on the laws in her area, if an unvaccinated cat gets bitten by a wild animal it may mean euthanasia or a lengthy quarantine. Also if other people are letting their cats out, and they manage to get into the courtyard and come in contact with her cats, you have to worry about leukemia, panleuk (feline "distemper") and upper respiratory infection.
Other that that, internal parasites (worms) and external parasites (fleas, ticks).
She should make sure there's no way the cats can escape from the courtyard. especially if they have never been out before and don't know to stay away from roads.

Answer:
Thanks SableCollie ! The courtyard has 6 foot high brick walls, no trees and she would be supervising at all times. I imagine she will have them on long leads for awhile but will never leave them unattended even if they eventually are confortable and well-behaved enough to go unleashed ~ she's as hyper-conscious (some say paranoid and overprotective...) as I am about her animals.

Answer:
Were they indoor cats before? Why on earth would she want to let them out now?

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Yes, they've always lived in a apartment condo. I think they have become entranced with the "great outdoors" and spend most of their time looking longingly out the back door ( in other words their "guilting" her). I don't see much harm in it as long as they are leashed and have no direct interaction with the local wildlife (or their uhhhmm "leavings").

Answer:
If there are squirrels around I would definitely not let the cats out. In the past two years I've witnesssed two squirrels die horrible deaths (while waiting for animal control to come, which they never did). Any wild animal can be a carrier of any number of diseases. If a cat were to step on some fecal matter from a wild animal then lick its paws it could be deadly. If these cats have lived happily indoors all their lives, I strongly urge your friend to keep them inside, more so since they are not vaccinated. A window ledge or a cat tree from which they can view the outdoors is a much safer alternative.

Answer:
My cats go out supervised,come inside when we go inside...however,at night I have skunks,raccoons,possums,mice,other cats and whatever in the backyard,so my cats are vaccinated,probably over-vaccinated but that will soon change.

Answer:
Originally Posted by chico2
My cats go out supervised,come inside when we go inside...however,at night I have skunks,raccoons,possums,mice,other cats and whatever in the backyard,so my cats are vaccinated,probably over-vaccinated but that will soon change.

I also have an older cat - 13 years old that is due for her vacc. During the winter she is an indoor cat, but once the warmer weather is here, as soon as the door is open, out she goes, with the dogs! I would prefer she stay indoors, but it is difficult to keep her in. She never strays from our backyard, but I also worry about her coming into contact with skunks, raccoons, mice, etc. Are feline vacc. similar to canine, ie: can some be done every 3 years as opposed to every year?

Answer:
Vaccination protocols really depend on the laws in your area and what your vets prefer. Where I am, cats can get 3 year rabies and distemper vaccines. Ask your vet if it's possible for your cat to get the 3 year vacc.

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