Consensus guidance that comes from the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and general shelter-medicine protocols used by their clinicians.

1. Intake health triage before medicating

  • Assess: attitude, hydration, appetite, breathing, and physical condition

  • Do not give medications yet if the kitten is not eating or dehydrated

  • Begin supportive care immediately (warmth, fluids, calories)

2. FVRCP Vaccines

Core kitten vaccine schedule: given as soon as healthy and old enough at intake. Boosters every 3 weeks until 16–20 weeks. Schedule at 2 weeks so that no later than 3. 2

weeks if housed or in contact with sick kittens.

🐛 2. Routine parasite treatment at intake (for stable kittens).

Anti-coccidia: 3-day course of:

  • Toltrazuril OR

  • Ponazuril

Only given when the kitten is eating and hydrated

Anti- Giardia:

  • Fenbendazole course for 5 days (Panacur). This also kill hook worms and round worms.

🐜 3. Routine flea/tick prevention once eating and if two pound and 8 weeks old. Use Fipronil if under 2 pounds and bathing is not an option.

Safe topicals and fast flea knockdown if fleas already present:

  • Revolution Plus

  • Capstar if fleas are actively seen

🧼 5. Hygiene and infectious disease control

UC Davis shelter programs emphasize:

☑ Dump all litter the day you start any protozoal treatment if diarrhea exists
☑ Disinfect litter box daily until stool normalizes
☑ Scoop at least 2x/day
☑ Handwashing after litter contact
☑ Keep foster separate from personal pets during observation when sick