Lesson 2: Intake & Quarantine Basics

At intake, the priority is to observe the kitten before medicating or placing into group care.

Supportive Care During Observation

☑ Keep kitten warm!

Very young kittens cannot regulate their own body temperature.

• Neonates (0–3 weeks) depend entirely on external heat and their mother. Keeping warm means providing a steady heat source (heating pad on low under half the nest, SnuggleSafe, or warm bottle wrapped in a towel) so the kitten can move toward or away from heat. Chilling in this age group can quickly lead to low blood sugar, dehydration, and death, even if the kitten is eating.

• Young kittens (4–7 weeks) are improving but still vulnerable. They should be kept in a draft-free, warm room, with bedding that stays dry. Supplemental heat may still be needed during illness, after bathing, or if the kitten feels cool to the touch.

• Older kittens (8–12+ weeks) can regulate body temperature much better. Keeping warm usually means normal indoor temperatures, dry bedding, and protection from drafts. Extra heat is only needed if the kitten is sick, wet, very thin, or lethargic. Rule of thumb: If a kitten feels cool, is lethargic, or is not eating well, warmth comes first—do not feed or give fluids to a cold kitten until body temperature is normalized.

✅ Look & record

General Assessment

Eyes/Nose/Mouth: discharge, sores, swelling

Appetite (eating normally / reduced / refusing)

Energy level (active / quieter / very sleepy)

Mental status (alert / dazed / disoriented)

Hydration check (gums moist vs. tacky, drinking water, skin pinch test)

Urination baseline (normal / reduced / dark urine noted)

Stool baseline (firm / soft / watery / mucusy / smelly)

Breathing (normal / cough / wheeze / congestion / noises heard)

Body mobility (walking normal vs. abnormal gait/deformities)

Mobility & posture: gait, spine shape, limb use

Decision Tree

Kitten Hydration Decision Tree

Hydration Assessment – Decision Tree

Risk factors present (diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, lethargy, under 6 weeks, recent illness/deworming)?
☐ Yes → continue with high suspicion
☐ No → continue assessment

Mouth / Gums

Gums moist and slippery?
☐ Yes → go to Behavior
☐ No (sticky, tacky, dry) → DEHYDRATED
Action: oral fluids if safe, notify coordinator, consider SQ fluids if trained

Behavior / Energy

Bright, alert, nursing or eating normally?
☐ Yes → go to Skin Pinch
☐ No → TREAT AS DEHYDRATED (do not rely on skin pinch)

Skin Pinch (screening only)

Skin over shoulders snaps back immediately?
☐ Yes → go to Weight
☐ No (slow return or tents) → POSSIBLE dehydration

Weight Trend (compare to yesterday)

Weight stable or increasing?
☐ Yes → monitor closely
☐ No (weight loss or failure to gain) → DEHYDRATION LIKELY

Final Decision

If two or more of the following are present:
☐ Tacky gums
☐ Lethargy
☐ Poor intake
☐ Diarrhea or vomiting
☐ Weight loss

→ TREAT AS DEHYDRATED
Support fluids and escalate care

Reminder

Skin pinch alone is unreliable in kittens.
Gums, behavior, and weight carry more weight.

Fur & Skin Check

• Look at fur and skin: dull vs shiny coat, hair loss, flakes, redness, scabs, wounds

• Look for fleas: check base of tail, belly, armpits, chin, and behind ears

• Look for flea dirt: tiny black specks that turn reddish-brown on a wet paper towel

  ☑ Coat condition (shiny & smooth / dull / patchy)
  ☑ Hair loss spots? (none / mild / noticeable locations noted)
  ☑ Flakes or dandruff? (yes/no)
  ☑ Red or irritated skin? (yes/no)
  ☑ Scabs or crusts? (yes/no)
  ☑ Wounds or open sores? (yes/no, describe if present)
  ☑ Excessive scratching or overgrooming? (yes/no)

Flea Scan at Intake

Part the fur along the back and neck
Check visible skin for fleas or bites
Note any scratching, overgrooming, or pepper-like flea dirt

If fleas are found →

Common safe choices when directed. Age and weight must be considered:

• Revolution Plus or Fipronil (topicals)

• Capstar (tablet form)

• Only bathe after watching an instructional video and if the kittens are warm and stable (use DAWN never a shampoo with any chemicals)

  🧭 After 24 Hours — Placement Decision

• Stable kitten: ➤ continue to treatment

• Mild concerns: ➤ keep observing + supportive care, message support lead

• Red flags: ➤ same-day vet visit

🚨 Same-Day Veterinary Visit Needed If:

☑ Not eating at all
☑ Dehydration signs (tacky or pale gums)
☑ Bloody stool
☑ Explosive diarrhea > 24 hours
☑ Open-mouth or labored breathing / wheeze
☑ Neurological worsening or collapse
☑ Painful swelling or surgical incision bulge

☑ Urination issues:

Straining to urinate is not normal at any age.
Neonates may strain during stimulation if dehydrated or constipated.
In older kittens, repeated squatting, crying, or little to no urine may indicate painful or obstructed urination and is urgent, especially in males.
Post-neuter: monitor closely for normal urination; straining, swelling, pain, or reduced urine output after surgery requires immediate escalation.

🐛 Hold medication until:

• The kitten is eating, hydrated, not declining, and no lower airway distres

🐛 Parasite Treatment (Hold Until Stable Unless Directed)

Common protozoa and worms that spreads via litter: Giardia, Coccidia, roundworms, hook worms.

First-line intestinal dewormer used in rescue:

Hookworms and Roundworms: Strongid

Broad anti-Giardia: Panacur

Anti-coccidia: Ponazuril

Vaccination:

Vaccination for FPV -Panleukopenia is highly effective if performed correctly. Modified live subcutaneous vaccination will provide more rapid protection than killed vaccine, which requires a booster to be effective.

All cats 4 weeks of age and older should receive a modified live panleukopenia vaccine immediately upon shelter entry. Cats begin mounting an immune response to panleukopenia immediately and develop full immunity in as little as three days [1].  A delay of even a few hours renders the vaccine far less useful. Even injured and mildly ill cats should be vaccinated.

source: https://sheltermedicine.wisc.edu/library/resources/feline-panleukopenia?utm_source=chatgpt.com