8 day old miracle...HELP!!

You are doing well so far, despite the difficulties. If he is peeing and pooping OK do not water down the formula much as he could starve even if his stomach is full.

I have been slowly building up to full strength formula...he has been accepting it well and seems to be doing okay with it. 

tamratesseneer said:

I can tell you that reading the weight on the scale is going to be a challenge....with such a little weight it is hard to tell just how much it goes up because the needle is so big on the scale...

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Yea, that's why the digital scales are much better. My scale reads in 1 gram increments which is so nice. I would bring that scale back and get a digital one. Since he weighs so little now you're never going to be able to tell if he's putting on weight daily.

Well, we're not having a good day today. I spilled his antibiotic and had to go to the vet to get another bottle. Then when I get home to feed him, I find him extremely constipated. I have been massaging the area for the past 20 minutes and trying to stimulate him, but he still cannot pass it. I don't know what else to do for him, but if I don't get him to go soon, I fear the worst for him. I also found what appeared to be some sort of bite or cyst on his leg as I had him under the warm water. I am in tears because I have put so much effort into keeping this little guy safe and healthy...now I am yet again trudging through uncharted territory with him...can anyone offer some advice to get him to pass this huge mass? He tries to strain to go, but it will not budge. You can see the swollen mass just under the skin so I know that he his constipated...as of yet he is not crying in pain but I want to help him before it is too late.

It is getting worse. The mass is getting bigger and I can no longer see his anus. It looks like there's not even a hole there. I am in tears...what do I do for him? He is in some pain now, particularly when I massage the area.

Although graphic, I apologize..here is a photo of what is going on with him...this just started a few hours ago and seems to be progressing quickly...any ideas??? I tried massaging the are with vaseline...doesn't seem to be helping him any.

It's possible he doesn't have a normal anus.  I would take him to the vets - I suspect I would be unlikely to bring him home, but it sounds to me like he might be suffering.  So, so sorry after all your hard work.

If that was the case though, wouldn't he have had issues pooing before now? Up until yesterday, his bowel function was normal. I can't stop crying for him...I don't know what to do. He is rooting in his bed looking for food, but I am afraid that if this is constipation I could make it worse by feeding him formula. I am going to try to satisfy him with some boiled cooled water, but I don't know what else I can do. I am waiting for the vet to get back to me but is seems like it is taking forever and the vet didn't have much interest in him to begin with.

Did his anus look normal before? He's been having regular bowel movements before this? Is there a different vet you can call, since you weren't satisfied with the first, and try to get a response ASAP? I really don't have much advice except to keep doing what you're doing, massaging him with vaseline or with a wet rag, i've also seen people hold their butts under the faucet and massage as well. He's so sweet and tiny. I'd try to get him into a vets as soon as possible, calling any that is around. Sending positive vibes

Thank you all for your positive feedback..unfortunately I can't seem to find anyone willing to help us. I spent what resources I had on the little guy...matter of fact I spent the last $15 on his replacement antibiotic. I called the AWA and the Humane Society and neither can help. I don't know where else to turn. This little guy's fate is in my hands and I am afraid that I am going to fail him.

clynn11 said:

Did his anus look normal before? He's been having regular bowel movements before this? Is there a different vet you can call, since you weren't satisfied with the first, and try to get a response ASAP? I really don't have much advice except to keep doing what you're doing, massaging him with vaseline or with a wet rag, i've also seen people hold their butts under the faucet and massage as well. He's so sweet and tiny. I'd try to get him into a vets as soon as possible, calling any that is around. Sending positive vibes

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He was perfectly normal yesterday. His bowl movements were normal at least 3 days ago. The momma cat has been stimulating him so it is difficult to tell when his last bowel movement was but I know for certain that he went 3 days ago.

So sorry, maybe a hernia? Not sure.  If it is sever constipation or impact, he may need a warm water enema.

When he is able to eat, I would suggest getting some goat milk (in the carton, not can) and try this instead of Hartz formula.  My local super walmart carries it next to the regular milk.  It seems more common than not that kittens (especially preemies) have problems on this brand. 

I'm so sorry to hear he's not doing well. I don't have any advice, I've never seen anything like that before either.

Okay, so reluctantly out of desperation I called the vet I took him to initially. They did an enema and now the litte guy is feeling MUCH better. He ate like a pig when we got him home!! I swear this little guy is going to cause me to have a nervous break-down! Ah, well....good for now. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he is healthy. I won't give up on him as long as he is willing to fight! 

I'm so glad they were able to help him. I can't help but go "awwww.." every time I see him.

You really are doing wonders for this little guy.

Yay!!! So glad the enema helped him, more little man was just backed up!!!! Still sending those vibes and hoping for a wonderful story with a very happy ending

We're all routing for him!!

Awww I am soo glad he's doing better!! I really hope he will be fine... I'll be thinking of the little guy!

HappyKitty said:

So sorry, maybe a hernia? Not sure.  If it is sever constipation or impact, he may need a warm water enema.

When he is able to eat, I would suggest getting some goat milk (in the carton, not can) and try this instead of Hartz formula.  My local super walmart carries it next to the regular milk.  It seems more common than not that kittens (especially preemies) have problems on this brand. 

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I am afraid to change his formula as it can cause bowel issues as well. He was not having these issues before and I believe that the reason he was so backed up is due to the antibiotic since constipation is a side effect. I wish the vet would have shown me how to give the enema...the kitten was taken to another room for the vet to perform the procedure since the vet tech was uncomfortable performing it on such a small kitten...we couldn't even see his anus due to the blockage. He is about the size of a field mouse if that helps to put his size into perspective. The vet  still seemed to be unsensitive and cold but he helped my little one and didn't charge me a small fortune. I really hope he does well and prospers into a playful happy cat...if for no other reason than to prove the vet wrong and beat the odds  heavily stacked against him. The momma cat has fallen back into her routine of paying him no mind which worries me a bit after speaking with the vet about this. The vet told me that the likely reason the momma didn't take an interest at first is because there was something wrong with the baby and she could sense it but after tirelessly working on him to get him well, the momma started to come around and show her maternal instincts. Now that she is again abandoning him, I am worried that there is more going on with him than I can see. Luckily my husband has a night off tomorrow so I may actually get some rest...after crying all day, I am exhausted but I can't go to sleep...he needs to eat every 2 hours and I still need to stimulate him so that I know when he "goes." Now that the mass of feces has been cleared (I think there may still be some in there) how often should I see him poo? I have read that he needs to "go" once a day but okay up to 48 hours..anything longer would be cause for concern. I don't want him to get blocked again and as I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I don't know how to do the enema and I'm afraid if not done properly it could be more harmful than good. Does anyone have any advice to combat constipation in such a little guy so that he doesn't get to this point again...? (I read that you could add a drop or two of vegetable oil to his formula to help lubricate things a bit...is this a good idea?) I was also curious as to how long I should stimulate him before I concede that he doesn't have to "go?" I worry that I will rub him raw...poor little guy is sore enough without me making it worse. Again and as always...thank you all for being there for me and this little miracle. I appreciate any advice offered!

I've heard of people adding a drop or two of vegetable oil or mineral oil to help constipation, so yes, you might want to try that.

As for stimulating, here's a video that may help: