OK....quick update :-) First - CDNHorseGal - The thing about viruses is that they can become a breeding ground for secondary infections....the antibiotics have been for the secondary infections that have accompaied by flare ups. The girls have both ended up with URI's over the years, and Baker has had URI's, ear infection, and (of course) the eye infection he had in the beginning.  (ETA - I do not mean for this to come across as snarky - it really has been a problem for them).

I am anticipating flare-ups with this move. It will be a strussful change for them.

I spoke with the vet today (I emailed her and she called me back), and she liked the set-up that I have described with the enclosure. Yes, it is possible to vaccinate our four house cats. The vaccine is effective 80+% of the time. She also confirmed our house cats aren't likely to get "too sick" (if at all) as some of you have mentioned. That said. trying to get 7 cats to assimilate into our small home - and get along without cat-drama - is not something that will necessarily work. There will be issues and there will be stress.

So after discussing this (and more) with my hubby, we have decided to proceed with our plans for the enclosure and to keep the cats separate. We are still going to vaccinate the house cats for FHV anyway....and I will definitely look for Lysine to add to their diets. I found it on Amazon for $15 - not bad at all. How does this work to help the cats, guys?

We are going to definitely use a 4x4 sand pit as a litter box with an open bottom. Poop and be scooped.......and (like someone mentioned) I can bleach it as needed.

As far as shelter for the cats - we are putting a roof over two cat tree/condos and hanging a box fan. The covered area is going to be 8'x8'

I haven't decided what to offer them as real shelter, though. We have lots of choices....I'm hoping to pick something that will be completely comfortable for them...and not awful to look at!

Some choices are:

Kids playhouse from Lowes (I used this one for the chickens, so I'd have to buy a new one for the kittehs) - It is easy to put plastic in the windows/doors (I did it for the chicks). And I can also put shelves in it for them to lay on (I put roosts in there for the chicks)...
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The basic (and least favorite) is the igloo thingy. Easy to add pillows for winter...
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Or something like this - again adding pillows in winter - and maybe a clear plastic door.
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One of the things I will have to see is if the want to be together or separate in their own spaces. I really don't know right now....and I suppose it could change depending on the weather.



Ask me about my Papillon puppy, Magnolise Avec Bravissimo (aka Bravo)!!!

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Last Edited By: Kelly has aFjord anda Papillon Feb 12 13 6:24 PM. Edited 1 times.