Red, sore, painful rectum?

I have a 5 day old kitten I have been taking care of due to him being rejected by his mother, when I took him in he was nearly frozen to death and had not eaten since being born. I have him up to a healthy weight and he is now a normal baby, but I have had issues with him the past two days.

His rectum got very red and irritated, almost bloody looking, and he meows quite loudly, like he's in pain when I stimulate him to pass a bowl movement. He has been meowing more often for no reason since he got this way as well.. but I assumed it was for attention? For two days I had to use toilet paper instead of a soft baby wipe to get him to go to the bathroom, could that be what irritated him? I don't really think he is need of a vet.. but I could be wrong?

Can anyone help me out here, I really don't know what to do and money is tight so I'd rather not take him to a vet unless he needs it. Thanks.

Maybe try rubbing his tummy instead of the actual rectal area? It's a very tender area and can easily become sore. I've had some success with holding their bottoms under warm running water, too (of course if you do that you need to make sure you dry him thoroughly so he doesn't get chilled).

Willowy said:

Maybe try rubbing his tummy instead of the actual rectal area? 

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There are times where he will cry, louder than normal, and when I pick him up I see he has already begin making a bowel movement on his own, and I think it's hurting him to do so. I looked at other similar threads and came up with a possible "prolapsed anus" but after looking up pictures, it doesn't look like what my kitten has at all. It's just a little red, above his anus, a little near his tail, and his actual anus is a very deep bloody looking red. (no blood comes when i wipe him though)

EvaLyster said:

 I don't really think he is need of a vet.. but I could be wrong?
Can anyone help me out here, I really don't know what to do and money is tight so I'd rather not take him to a vet unless he needs it.

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Try to phone a vet, hoping he will agree to give telephone advice. A living vet will also know what follow up questions to give.   Part of the advice is to know IF this is a real vet errand, or if it is enough with home remedies...

Find a vet who is specialist on cats and small dogs.  Preferably one who is used to care for kittens. (not so few vets cant so much about small kittens).

During the time, try with the tip Willowy gives, ie stimulate by running semi-warm water.

I dont think your use of toilet paper did cause this condition, but it is surely not bettering anything...

Good luck!

Edit.  a little redundant "not" to make the point clearer.  

I will have to phone a vet to see what they say. But the past 2 days I have been using moist baby wipes (with aloe and vitamin E) and the redness has gone down by half, and he doesn't seem as much in pain.

Do you think I should continue doing this? 

EvaLyster said:

I will have to phone a vet to see what they say. But the past 2 days I have been using moist baby wipes (with aloe and vitamin E) and the redness has gone down by half, and he doesn't seem as much in pain.

Do you think I should continue doing this?

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Yes, apparently it helps here, so of course do proceed.   .

Although I saw one forumit telling aloe isnt good for cats, but this little shouldnt harm.

Aloe is otherwise soothing on rawe skin problems. I remember my mom used aloe on her psoriasis.

So do use this wipe on his sore behind, but dont overdo.   

Good luck!

It should be safe for topical use. . .if you can use it on human babies, why not kitty babies? But maybe not after he starts licking himself. Unless you want to contact the company and ask about that. I think pet stores sell kitty wipes so maybe you can use those when he's bigger (if you still need them).