Lesson 2: Intake (dewormer instructIons, flea treatment and 1st vaccine- are HERE)

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

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‍ ‍ ☑ 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

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Assessing Hydration

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

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 → give a bath with diluted DAWN if under 2 pounds and 8 weeks

Flea treatment: determine Age and weight then select the correct

product

“Revolution Kitten” REVOLUTION® topical (selamectin)

MUST BE 8 WEEKS old, no minimum weight, tubes are for Up to 5 lbs

AGAIN -MUST BE 8 WEEKS old. If under 8 weeks old give a bath only.

Revolution is a simple-to-apply, quick-drying, small-volume, monthly topical solution that protects against most common feline parasites.

Revolution is a veterinarian-prescribed preventive for fleas, flea eggs, heartworm disease, ear mites, roundworms* and hookworms in cats.

Indications

Revolution is recommended for use in cats 8 weeks of age and older. Revolution kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month and is indicated for the prevention and control of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis), prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, and the treatment and control of ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) infestations. Revolution is also indicated for the treatment and control of roundworm (Toxocara cati) and intestinal hookworm (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) infections in cats.

Available as

Topical solution

For use with

Feline

“Revolution® Plus” Topical - kitten must be at least 2.8 pounds - 2.8 pounds is equal to:

• ≈ 1,270 grams (1.27 kg)

• 2 pounds, 12.8 ounces (about 2 lb 13 oz if rounded to the nearest ounce)

(selamectin and sarolaner topical solution) weight MUST be at least 2.8 pounds and 8 weeks old. if the kitten is not this weight it can not use this product.

Revolution Plus is indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, the treatment and control of roundworm (Toxocara cati) and intestinal hookworm (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) infections, and the treatment and control of ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) infestations. Revolution Plus kills adult fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations, the prevention of Dipylidium caninum (tapeworm) infections as a direct result of killing Ctenocephalides felis vector fleas on the treated cat, and the treatment and control of tick infestations with Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick),Amblyomma maculatum (Gulf Coast tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), and Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) for one month in cats and kittens 8 weeks and older, and weighing 2.8 pounds or greater.

Capstar®: Use only in kittens that weigh at least 2 pounds (0.9 kg). Kills adult fleas only. Starts working within about 30 minutes. May be repeated once daily if needed.

🐛 Parasite Treatment

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

ROUTINE INTAKE MEDS for kittens fully eating on their own and 6 weeks old. Also give them a probiotic. don’t combine probiotic. pick one:

Day 1: panacur and toltrazuril

Day 2: panacur and toltrazuril

Day 3: panacur and toltrazuril

Day 4: panacur and toltrazuril

Day 5: panacur and toltrazuril

Day 6: panacur - cont. if diarrhea

Day 7: panacur - cont. if diarrhea

Day 8: panacur - cont. if diarrhea

FOR TAPEWORM WE USE CESTEX: How to Give Cestex

Give the correct amount by mouth one time.

The tablet can be given directly by mouth or hidden in a very small amount of wet food or a treat. If putting it in food, make sure the cat eats the entire amount so that the full dose is received.

Fasting is not necessary.

Important

Do not give to kittens younger than 7 weeks old.

Cestex treats common feline tapeworms. You may not see worms come out afterward. The tapeworm is often digested in the intestinal tract after treatment.

Flea Treatment Is Essential

The most common feline tapeworm is spread by fleas. A cat becomes infected when it swallows an infected flea while grooming.

Giving Cestex kills the existing tapeworm, but the cat can become infected again if fleas are still present.

All cats being treated for tapeworm must also have appropriate flea control.

If you are unsure of the kitten's age, weight, medication, or dose, contact the Medical Team before giving the medication.

Other Deworming Medications

We also have Drontal tablets and Panacur tablets available. Please contact the Medical Team before using these medications.

We previously provided multiple types of deworming medications to foster homes. However, we found that having several medications on hand sometimes resulted in multiple dewormers being given at the same time when they were not all needed.

If your cat or kitten is already receiving a medication that effectively treats roundworms and hookworms, an additional medication for those same parasites is generally not needed.

If you are having difficulty giving a liquid medication, please contact the Medical Team. We may be able to provide a tablet or another appropriate option that is easier to administer.

Do not combine or substitute deworming medications without checking with the Medical Team first.

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 5 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.

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

NEONATES: Routine dewomer is strongid starting at 2 weeks old.

Worms are passed through the placenta and mother’s milk. Instructions for neonates to 5 weeks are different and covered in the neonate course. routine dewormer for them is strongid unless a medical reason. note the word routine, this is key. If coccidia is suspected in this age group-neonate, contact medical. It is important to measure the feeding given to this kittenish bottle fed. Too much formula will cause diarrhea and aspiration (0–2 weeks: very young neonate — completely dependent on mom/bottle, cannot regulate body temperature well. 2–4 weeks: neonate — still highly dependent, but becoming more mobile and starting developmental transitions. ~4–5 weeks: transitioning/weaning kitten. 5+ weeks: generally no longer considered neonatal. contact medical contact medical contact medical