Distended belly

The little baby I found last Sunday has quite a little belly on her. She has no problem peeing but her stool is loose and she cries when she's about to go. Her belly is seeming to get bigger and it is starting to worry me. She's almost 4 weeks old. She's been on KMR since I found her. Any ideas what this could be? She's been to the vet and they didn't seem too concerned. I got her some belly meds (like Tagamet) from the vet yesterday-but it still concerns me. Her activity level is good-as is her appetite. Maybe I am worrying for no reason?

I would guess she has worms, but the vet may feel she is too young to treat for it. Ask him at what age he thinks you should worm her, and make sure you use something from a vet or qualified pharmacist - many OTC products are very harmful to kittens.

Originally Posted by jennyranson

I would guess she has worms, but the vet may feel she is too young to treat for it. Ask him at what age he thinks you should worm her, and make sure you use something from a vet or qualified pharmacist - many OTC products are very harmful to kittens.

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Oh thank you...she saw the vet Tuesday and got her first round of worm treatment. From what she said it has to be done in 3 stages over 6 weeks time. I haven't seen anything resembling dead worms in her stool, but maybe it takes awhile. Thanks for your help.

Have you tried any wet kitten food yet? Do you have a digital scale and can weigh her so you know she is gaining weight?

Definately sounds like worms.

Hello..no, I don't have a digital scale. The vet said she weighed in at 12.75oz on Tuesday and she looks like she has gained a bit. Her appetite is great, but she won't have anything to do with kitten food. I got her some small cans of food at Petco, but she turns her nose up. I'm not sure how to wean her-all she wants is her bottle. LOL

When I was hand-rearing a kitten on KMR I found that he would get quite constipated from the formula. He would be really bloated and would cry a lot when defecating. That may be what your kitten is experiencing as well...?

I have heard that you can try diluting the formula a little more to increase the fluid content of the formula or mixing in a little sweet potato baby food to help things move along a little more. Hope that helps and good luck with your little kitty!

Originally Posted by BSHcatLover

When I was hand-rearing a kitten on KMR I found that he would get quite constipated from the formula. He would be really bloated and would cry a lot when defecating. That may be what your kitten is experiencing as well...?

I have heard that you can try diluting the formula a little more to increase the fluid content of the formula or mixing in a little sweet potato baby food to help things move along a little more. Hope that helps and good luck with your little kitty!

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Yep...she does cry when she has to go number 2. She's been pretty good today-only went once and it was semi-formed. I think I should dilute her formula a bit as she drinks down 1-2 teaspoons at a time. She's doing ok otherwise, just that little belly worries me, so I think I will take her back to the vet tomorrow. What she needs I think...is a good 'constitutional'. Thank you!