abandoned puppies

[catmeister]

I rescued two puppies today, i found them wondering a desolate field. I live in a country where people just abandon their animals like this. I felt I could not live with myself to leave them like that especially where its almost desert like conditions here. Cats can fend for themselves, dogs (especially puppies) cannot.

I have a cat at home, she is purely indoors, therefore she is only vaccinated for a few illnesses/diseases. I have no other animals at home. I am keeping the pups out on my balcony (I live on the second floor) mainly for the reasons that they may be carrying diseases, ticks, fleas etc and my cat can catch it. I have given them water and dog food and they seem content, but I have a feeling they've been living on bugs for a while.

Anyway, today is Sat and all the vets are closed. so I have to wait till monday to see one. I am willing to pay all the vets bills, but I cannot keep them. I need to find a home and all the shelters are full.

In the meantime i will make sure the pups stay on the balcony as I cant have them indoors, because of my cat. But what diseases can they be carrying and what exactly should I tell the vet to vaccinate them against so my cat doesnt get anything from them?

Just as a precaution I removed all the clothes I was wearing and put them in the laundry bin, and I will try and stay away from the dogs so if the have any fleas I wont bring them in the apartment.

Anyone have any advice.

[Angie]

Hi Catmeister
To the best of my knowledge, the things you'd want to be most careful of are separate organisms like ticks and fleas. I'm not aware of any diseases that are transmittable cross-species in dogs and cats (although cats are not my specialty, and to be really sure you should probably speak to a vet - most areas have after-hours vet care).
Keeping the dogs outside is a good idea as long as they have adequate shelter, food, and water. Bear in mind that when they're living their own nomadic lifestyle, they can find their own shelter from the elements, but when they're confined on your balcony they have to make do with whatever you supply them. Even a couple of large cardboard boxes tilted on one end, with a few old towels inside them, would make a huge difference (if you can rig up some sort of shade contraption with sheets etc that would be even better, especially since you mentioned "desert-like" conditions).
In the interim, make sure your cats have their flea-collars on, and groom them for ticks, especially around the ears, shoulders, and hocks.
Thanks
Angie