If you find a homeless puppy or kitten on the street, it is crucial to carefully examine your new pet. During the initial examination, pay attention to any discharge from the eyes or nose, check the ears for cleanliness (there may be accumulated discharge, dirt, or redness), and look for any skin or coat defects (such as bald spots or combed areas).
If possible, check the animal’s temperature; a normal temperature should not exceed 39.0 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit). To do this, insert a thermometer 2-3 cm into the anus and hold it in place for 3 to 5 minutes.
Monitor the animal’s bowel movements, urination, and appetite. If the animal does not eat or drink, has discharge, diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, fever, or lethargy, contact a veterinarian immediately, as the situation could be critical and require urgent medical assistance.
If you don’t notice any abnormalities during the first examination, take the following steps:
Treat the animal for fleas, if found (most stray animals have them), using special products such as drops or spray (for example, Frontline or another similar product for puppies and kittens). Avoid washing the animal right away, as it can be stressful for them.
Administer an anthelmintic (e.g., Kanikvantel, Prontal, or another suitable product for the animal type). Carefully follow the dosage instructions provided. Anthelmintics should be given twice, with a 10-day interval between doses.
Approach feeding with caution, as stray animals typically don’t consume prepared food. The sudden introduction of prepared food may cause digestive problems. Start with natural products like boiled lean meat (beef or chicken), various cereals in water or milk without sugar, cottage cheese, and kefir. Offer small amounts frequently, and monitor the animal’s reaction to different foods. Some products may cause digestive upset (diarrhea without fever or complications). In such cases, consider home treatments like Vetom 1.1, following the instructions.
If you have other animals in the house, keep them separate from the new pet for a quarantine period of 1-2 weeks. It is advisable to designate a separate room for the new pet until they are comfortable in their new environment and have been vaccinated.
Avoid walking dogs until they have been vaccinated.
Protect the animal from various viral diseases by administering a polyvalent serum, such as Vitafel for cats and Vitakan for dogs, two weeks before vaccination.
If you decide to take in a homeless animal, it is recommended that you promptly visit a veterinary clinic for a thorough examination. The veterinarian can determine a diagnosis, provide necessary treatment instructions, and identify any potential diseases, viruses, or parasite infections. The animal may be in critical condition and require urgent medical attention.