Kitten Not Pooping

tripled

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A bit of background. I teach English in Southern China. Three days ago a teacher was walking home at night and found a kitten wandering around. He brought it home and let is sleep in a cardboard box. The next morning, realizing he had no idea how to take care of the thing, he passed it on to another teacher. She hadn't taken care of cats either, but had enough experience to realize how young this kitten was and looked up a homemade kitten formula on the internet. That was when they contacted me. I already have two pet rabbits and knew where the nearest vet was located.

The vet told us that the kitten was three weeks old and healthy. He gave the kitten (now named "Taco") some de-worming medicine and sold us some kitten formula. We took little Taco back to my place and, via more instructions on the internet, massaged his anus until 1 1/2 days worth of stool were released (seriously, I couldn't believe how much there was.

That was almost two whole days ago, and Taco hasn't pooped since. I've been feeding him the formular regularly from a proper kitten bottle, he's urinating, and he seems to have lots of energy. Should I be worried, or is this normal for kittens? I've been a dog man most of my life, and I'm not really sure what to do next.

In short:

1. Kitten has not pooped in almost two days.

2. First day in apartment was only consuming about 3-4mL of formula per feeding. Has gotten used to the taste I guess, because over the last 12 hours it's risen to about 10-14mL per feeding.

3. I am massaging both belly and anus after feeding. Urine is produced, but no stool.

4. Feedings are approximately 3-4 hours apart, or when Taco starts crying.

5. Taco is only receiving formula.

Any advice you can offer this newbie would be much appreciated.
 

stephanietx

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Are you using a warm wash cloth?  That might work well.  You might also ask in the kitten forum.
 
 

ldg

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Aw, thank you for rescuing her! :heart2: (Or him!). Well, thank you for rescuing Taco. :rub:

Most websites say they should pass stool once a day, but practical experience of those hand-rearing bottle babies is that it can be every other day. The main question is, is the tummy soft and round, or hard and round? If hard, s/he needs to pass stool. You can add a few drops of vegetable oil to his formula to help. :heart2:

FYI, this site is run by a friend: http://kitten-rescue.com/ She's got her hands full with rescue work, but she usually gets back to people via email (it's on the website), especially if they're out of country with fewer resources. :heart2: (This is her blog: http://www.feralcatbehavior.com/ )

Many vibes for your little one! :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 

ldg

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Oh - and I think you need to massage his abdomen, not his anus. And yes, a warm wash cloth might help. Some use a cotton ball in warm water.
 

ldg

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From kitten-rescue:

Stimulating The Kitten

Very young kittens cannot eliminate without help and the mother-cat licks the kitten's abdomen and anal area to stimulate elimination. You need to mimic this action after every feeding. You can even do it a bit before each feeding as well.

Prepare a bowl of warm water and some cotton balls, tissues, gauze or a soft cloth. Dip the cotton ball into the water, squeeze out the excess and, using a gentle circular motion, massage your kitten's abdomen and anal area. His natural response is to eliminate urine and stool. Don't worry if he doesn't pass a stool after every feeding or even every day. Keep stimulating until he stops eliminating, though it's important to know when to stop, because stimulating your kitten for too long can make his delicate skin sore and raw.

Another method is to stimulate the kitten over a sink. Put a bowl in the sink to catch the waste and start a steady trickle of warm water at the faucet, keeping the faucet away from the kitten. Run the water over the cotton ball, squeeze out the excess water and stimulate him as above.

Or, you can simply place the rear end of your kitten into the gentle trickle of warm water (make sure it is not too hot!) and then start stimulating the abdomen and anal area. He should let loose and eliminate quickly. Then wrap him up in a warm towel and keep him close until he is fully dried.

The consistency of the kitten's stools will give you an idea as to whether you are feeding him the right amount and strength of formula. Normal stools have a toothpaste consistency and are a yellow, mustard color. If the kitten develops diarrhea, you may be overfeeding or the formula may be too rich for his digestive system. Try diluting the formula.
I know at our vet office, they just hold the kitty under a slow stream of warm water and gently massage the abdomen.
 

petdefender

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I also massaged the abdomen and pass a cotton ball in warm water in the anus simulating the mothers tongue that repeats a few times and also the abdomen. Preferably a cotton ball to the belly and one for the anus, until he made poop.
 
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tripled

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Thanks for the quick replies!

I've been massaging both his anus and belly with a warm washcloth (or Q-tip) for about three minutes after each feeding is "finished" (he sometimes likes to wander around before coming back for more). I was worried for a while that the washcloth might be chafing, so I tried dunking my finger in the warm water and using that. No luck.

@LDG

Thanks for the website. I'll check that out.

Right now his abdomen is soft and round. Like I said, he wasn't eating much the first day (after a massive bowel movement) so maybe he just hasn't "filled up the tank" so to speak.

Also "vegetable oil" is hard to come by in this part of the world. Peanut Oil is most common, but I have some Olive from home, and I can get Sunflower at the import section of the supermarket.

I'll pass on the good vibe to the wee one :)
 
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tripled

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Speak of the devil. I went to check on Taco and found a sticky, brown, 1/4 pea sized lump in his cage. Looks like he's doing it on his own.

I am a bit worried about the consistency though. It's nowhere near the "yellow, toothpaste" description. Looking at the "Engrish description on the side of the powder:

"Auspice Goat Milk Powder taste similar with breast milk. It makes the pet enjoy the care coming from the mother. Suitable for Puppies and Kittens before and after weaning".
 
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tripled

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Weird fact about China: I've never seen mayo in stores (outside of speciality shop) but whenever I go to a sushi place they put it on EVERYTHING! Not sure where they get it or if they just make it themselves.

I'll try the drop of olive oil and see how that works. If not I'll begin the great ingredient hunt.
 
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tripled

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Update. After adding some olive oil Taco made another hard, dark brown stool, albeit this time in greater quantity. I tried diluting the mixture a bit this morning, and several hours later was "rewarded" with a nice yellowish brown discharge.

Oddly enough both bowel movements were done without any accompanying "massage" (I had massaged him after he ate, but this was not when he defecated). I'm beginning to wonder if the vet placed his age wrong, or if he's just an early bloomer.

I think we're out of the woods. Thank you all for helping a newbie.

@sivyaleah

I know, but you'd be amazed how popular it is here.
 

ldg

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Oh that's great news!!! Sounds like diluting the formula was all that's needed. Saves you the great ingredient hunt. :D

My understanding is that at three weeks they can begin eliminating on their own. Guess you've got an early bloomer. :rub:

Good luck, enjoy, and we're always here for any future questions. :)
 
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