IN THIS LESSON 🎯 Purpose

Cover the two most common protozoal parasites seen in rescue/foster kittens so they don’t get misdiagnosed later.

✅ 🦠 Main protozoa rescues watch for at intake

  • Giardia → foul, soft/greasy, smelly diarrhea

  • Coccidia → watery, mucusy, fast-onset diarrhea, very common in outdoor/colony kittens

✅ Routine medications used in rescue

  • Panacur → Giardia 5 day course

  • Toltrazuril OR Ponazuril → 3-day course if coccidia suspected/confirmed

🧼 Hygiene protocol when giving anti-protozoa

☑ Dump all litter the day you start treatment
☑ Replace with fresh litter daily if diarrhea is present
☑ Disinfect litter box and scoop every day until stool normalizes
☑ Wash hands after handling litter
☑ Do not change the kitten’s food during treatment

🚦Give only if observation from Lesson 1 shows they’re stable:

✔ Eating
✔ Hydrated (moist gums)
✔ No labored breathing or wheeze
✔ No collapsing or worsening neurology

🍼 Supportive care to pair with anti-protozoa

  • Offer electrolytes if stools are soft/watery

  • Probiotic is safe to add during stress or diarrhea

  • Track weight daily through treatment

  • Keep warm (protozoa diarrhea causes extra heat and fluid loss)

❗ Important foster talking points

  • “Colony kittens are very likely to have coccidia or giardia at intake.”

  • “We treat early so diarrhea later isn’t automatically blamed on food or vaccines.”

  • “Keeping food stable + dumping litter is as important as the medication.”

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