Bringing home kitten after distemper

Living and Management

Follow your veterinarian’s guidelines as far as dispensing medication, household disinfection, and necessity for quarantine. If you have other cats, you will need to observe them closely for signs of illness. Consult with your veterinarian regarding the possibility of vaccinating other cats in the home. Household bleach can be used as an effective disinfectant against this virus, but the best way to be sure that you have cleared your home of any traces of the virus is to replace all of your cat’s belongings with new ones. This includes bedding, toys, dishes and litter boxes. Again, keep in mind that even then you may not be able to remove all traces of the virus. While your cat will not be susceptible to reinfection after it has recovered, other visiting cats can still be infected by contaminants that have been left behind.

Vaccination is the most important tool in the prevention of this disease. Before you bring a cat into your home be sure to ask your veterinarian to include the FPV vaccine in the standard vaccination package. Unvaccinated pregnant cats are at highest risk for fatal complications, since their immune systems are compromised by the pregnancy. The developing fetuses are also very likely to be born with severe developmental dysfunctions.

The above info was taken from a link from pet MD. I will give you another link for more information. You should be okay, if you get rid of everything (which would be so hard to do and expensive) and make sure the kitten has had all of it’s vaccinations! If you get a cat from someone whose cat has had kittens, you will never be sure what it’s been exposed to or if it’s had the appropriate shots. A shelter would be best and they can give you a copy of it’s shot records.

I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved little kitten. Cat distemper is a horrible disease, that I’ve seen first hand. 😥

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2134&aid=222

Once the kitten has been vaccinated, I don’t think you will have to worry. And make sure you keep up with the vaccinations as they are needed, even if she is an inside cat with the virus that is so long lived. Also, if there are other cats outside and they might have it, you could bring the virus inside on your shoes or clothes.

I don’t think it’s necessary to get an older cat, a kitten is fine. Just make sure you get it to the vet as soon as possible, or the place where you get it has started vaccinations or has completed them.

Because babies are so vulnerable to distemper, your vet vaccinates your kitten with the FVRCP vaccine for the first time between the ages of 6 to 8 weeks, with another shot every three to four weeks until your kitten is 4 months old.

https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-vaccinations