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Is a new foster kitten's scabby mouth contagious to my other kittens?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 1.1 lbs

I found a kitten on the side of the road and have taken him home to foster for an adoption group but upon looking at him further his mouth is scabby on one side and being that I have 3 other foster kittens I was just wanting to make sure that there were no contagious diseases that would do that to his mouth

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on October 22, 2017

Hi there and thanks for posting.

It is hard to say what may be causing the scabbing around the mouth without examining this kitten first, however, I would absolutely keep this kitten you found completely separate from your other foster kittens at home. The stray kitten may have something infectious such as the feline herpes virus, calicivirus or another infectious disease that could easily be transmitted to the other kittens. I would keep them separated until a veterinarian can examine the stray.

I hope this helps and thanks for for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
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