Help! 3 week old kittens with diarrhea

little red · May 31, 2014

We took in a stray mama cat & she had 5 kittens & only 2 made it. She kept rolling over on them one by one but we think it's because she wasn't producing milk. We took her surviving 2 when they were about 3 days old and started bottle raising them. They've been excellent babies. We've fed them powder KMR from the beginning but when we went to the only store in town that sells it about a week or so ago to buy another tub they were out of stock & said it would be about 2 weeks before they'd get some more in.

We ended up having to get the Hartz formula at walmart. We hated to do that because it's such horrible formula. Well, they hated it. They tolerated it a couple of times but they flat out refused to keep eating it. We took it back & ended up having to get the cans of ready made KMR at the other store. Ever since the swap from the powder KMR to Hartz to the can liquid KMR they have been having diarrhea--about 3 days or so now. They aren't using the bathroom on their own yet. So, when I go to get them to pee they will pee a little & then the runny poop just starts squirting out. It's a brownish color & isn't watery---it's more of a runny toothpaste sort of consistency.

What can I add to their bottles to stop this diarrhea? By the way, the little girl is Sarabi & her brother is Scar.

catsknowme · May 31, 2014

You can try diluting the KMR with homemade pedialyte. If you don't mind the extra work, you can go to www.kitten-rescue.org and check out the recipe for "kitten glop". I use canned goat milk for mine and I add 2-3 egg yolks. Also, instead of yogyrt, I use a capsule of high quality probiotic. if you do dilute the kmr, you will need 2 feed more often

little red · Jun 1, 2014

catsknowme said:
You can try diluting the KMR with homemade pedialyte. If you don't mind the extra work, you can go to www.kitten-rescue.org and check out the recipe for "kitten glop". I use canned goat milk for mine and I add 2-3 egg yolks. Also, instead of yogyrt, I use a capsule of high quality probiotic. if you do dilute the kmr, you will need 2 feed more often

We have actual pedialyte--the unflavored kind. Would we still need to make a glop if we have pedialyte already or just go ahead & dilute the kmr with the pedialyte? how much do we dilute? Also, since they turned 3 weeks old (this past wednesday) we've been feeding them every 6 hours & they both eat around 6 tsps a feeding. This last feeding (a few minutes ago @ 5 am central time) they ate about that much & I gave them each about 1cc of pedialyte. Sarabi squirted some but not too bad & Scar didn't at all. Both of their butts are kind of red & a little tender, understandably, so is there something I can put on them to make them feel better? Diaper rash cream or powder or anything?

StefanZ · Jun 1, 2014

little red said:
the runny poop just starts squirting out. It's a brownish color & isn't watery---it's more of a runny toothpaste sort of consistency.

This doesnt sounds too bad! Surely better than a constipation in any case.

   A shade too watery, but not bad.

What poo did they had earlier, as it was perfect?

If you can get goat milk, you can use it.   Catsknowsme tells he adds egg yolk, which is surely an useful addition, but even that isnt necessary.

If you by any chance can get fresh goat milk, its good, but bottled should also be OK.

Nay, if you have this ready made KMR, its not necessary with kitten glop. Kitten glop, ie home made kmr, is used when you dont have access to any decent ready made kmr. Nor goat milk.   (although the best kitten glop receipts, alike the best kmr, ARE based on goat milk)

You can of course lend ideas from the recipes, if you want to change something or add something to their actual kmr.

Yes, I think you can try with some suitable baby oil or other preparate for sensitive baby bottoms.

Another trick for stimulating, which isnt irritating their skin, advocated by our experienced rescuer forumst Catwoman707, is this.

You held them under warm running water, their bottom half. You held them with left hand, and tap on their genitalia with the forefinger.

They get massage, stimulation, the warm water is calming their tummy, and the tapping feels like moms tongue...

Works nicely and no risk for sore behinds.

You must of course do it where there is no draugh, and dry off them carefully afterwards. But it is a cheap payment here.

Good luck!

little red · Jun 1, 2014

StefanZ said:
This doesnt sounds too bad! Surely better than a constipation in any case.      A shade too watery, but not bad.

What poo did they had earlier, as it was perfect?

If you can get goat milk, you can use it.   Catsknowsme tells he adds egg yolk, which is surely an useful addition, but even that isnt necessary.

If you by any chance can get fresh goat milk, its good, but bottled should also be OK.

Nay, if you have this ready made KMR, its not necessary with kitten glop. Kitten glop, ie home made kmr, is used when you dont have access to any decent ready made kmr. Nor goat milk.   (although the best kitten glop receipts, alike the best kmr, ARE based on goat milk)

You can of course lend ideas from the recipes, if you want to change something or add something to their actual kmr.

Yes, I think you can try with some suitable baby oil or other preparate for sensitive baby bottoms.

Another trick for stimulating, which isnt irritating their skin, advocated by our experienced rescuer forumst Catwoman707, is this.

You held them under warm running water, their bottom half. You held them with left hand, and tap on their genitalia with the forefinger.

They get massage, stimulation, the warm water is calming their tummy, and the tapping feels like moms tongue...

Works nicely and no risk for sore behinds.

You must of course do it where there is no draugh, and dry off them carefully afterwards. But it is a cheap payment here.

Good luck!

Thank you!! We'll try that. And yes, before this their poop was great.

red top rescue · Jun 1, 2014

We don't know why, but most of us rescuers know that the liquid KMR gives them diarrhea when the powdered form doesn't, even if you dilute it. You should be able to get the powder mailed to you quickly if you order it online. In the meantime, goat's milk is good as @StefanZ suggested. Get them off the liquid KMR right away. You can add some egg yolk to increase the fat as @catsknowme suggested. (The link she gave to www.kitten-rescue.org does not work, but you can probably find other recipes at other places.) You do need to wash their little bottoms with something gentle (like baby shampoo or maybe Dawn blue dishwashing liquid), rinse well, pat dry, and then you can apply a little triple antibiotic ointment to the area to protect it.

StefanZ · Jun 1, 2014

Red Top Rescue said:
We don't know why, but most of us rescuers know that the liquid KMR gives them diarrhea when the powdered form doesn't, even if you dilute it. You should be able to get the powder mailed to you quickly if you order it online. In the meantime, goat's milk is good as @StefanZ suggested. Get them off the liquid KMR right away. You can add some egg yolk to increase the fat as @catsknowme suggested. (The link she gave to www.kitten-rescue.org does not work, but you can probably find other recipes at other places.) You do need to wash their little bottoms with something gentle (like baby shampoo or maybe Dawn blue dishwashing liquid), rinse well, pat dry, and then you can apply a little triple antibiotic ointment to the area to protect it.

catsknowme said:
You can try diluting the KMR with homemade pedialyte. If you don't mind the extra work, you can go to www.kitten-rescue.org and check out the recipe for "kitten glop". I use canned goat milk for mine and I add 2-3 egg yolks. Also, instead of yogyrt, I use a capsule of high quality probiotic. if you do dilute the kmr, you will need 2 feed more often

Oh, its www.kitten-rescue.com, NOT org.

Sorry I didnt noticed it earlier although I did saw Catsknowsme excellent post. (as they usually are)

little red · Jun 2, 2014

Red Top Rescue said:
We don't know why, but most of us rescuers know that the liquid KMR gives them diarrhea when the powdered form doesn't, even if you dilute it. You should be able to get the powder mailed to you quickly if you order it online. In the meantime, goat's milk is good as @StefanZ suggested. Get them off the liquid KMR right away. You can add some egg yolk to increase the fat as @catsknowme suggested. (The link she gave to www.kitten-rescue.org does not work, but you can probably find other recipes at other places.) You do need to wash their little bottoms with something gentle (like baby shampoo or maybe Dawn blue dishwashing liquid), rinse well, pat dry, and then you can apply a little triple antibiotic ointment to the area to protect it.

Where would the goat's milk be at Walmart? Is it in a can in an aisle or where all the dairy products are like milk, etc? Also, they're picky eaters which is why they didn't like the Hartz--and I don't blame them--but would the goat's milk taste like KMR or is it possible they'll refuse the goat's milk? And with the egg yolk, do I need to just crack open an egg & mix in with the milk as is--yolk & egg white--or break open the egg & get rid of the egg white & have it just be the yolk? Also, is anyone familiar with diatomaceous earth (DE)? We use it to help with fleas and we sprinkle it in our adult cats' food as a natural de-wormer but we'd love to give it to Sarabi & Scar as well; like mix it in their formula once a day--maybe about 1/4 tsp each. Any thoughts on this?

StefanZ · Jun 2, 2014

Where would the goat's milk be at Walmart? Is it in a can in an aisle or where all the dairy products are like milk, etc? Also, they're picky eaters which is why they didn't like the Hartz--and I don't blame them--but would the goat's milk taste like KMR or is it possible they'll refuse the goat's milk? And with the egg yolk, do I need to just crack open an egg & mix in with the milk as is--yolk & egg white--or break open the egg & get rid of the egg white & have it just be the yolk? Also, is anyone familiar with diatomaceous earth (DE)? We use it to help with fleas and we sprinkle it in our adult cats' food as a natural de-wormer but we'd love to give it to Sarabi & Scar as well; like mix it in their formula once a day--maybe about 1/4 tsp each. Any thoughts on this?

Use only the egg yellow, the yolk. Raw white isnt so good for cats. Try to find some use for yourself, perhaps baking something, or in your food, so you dont need to throw it out.

Re where there they do have the goat milk: probably best to ask there them who works there.   I imagine it can vary.   In my swedish shop its among the other milk sorts, well hidden.

If they will refuse? Just to try. But I havent heard of much refusals.     IF they refuse it depends on the brand - yes, I HAD heard on refusals reading on a polish breeders forum, but it was always for one especial brand.    They were happy with all the others brands. Even with pulverised goat milk.

IF they dont want it, you can use it yourself.   Goat milk is more costly than usual milk, but by itself its very good nourishment. Also many people who dont manage common milk manages goat milk just fine.

DE is useful in many situation if it is of " food grade" or "human grade" As you report.    But I havent heard anybody use it with the kmr, so I suppose it isnt recommendable.    Of course, perhaps because, if you give them kmr you can also give them some preparate especially made against worms. Pyrantel (pyrantel poamate) containing preparates as the active ingredience is renown to be mild for kittens. There are surely others too, the british allround preparate Milbomax   is known can be used to young kittens too.

red top rescue · Jun 2, 2014

Here I can get goats milk in the dairy section of the supermarket. We have Publix and Kroger as our main supermarket branches, also Super Target. I don't know about WalMart but if you ask the manager of the dairy section, perhaps he/she can tell you if they have it. Also, it is usually available CANNED so you could find it in the same place as you find condensed milk and such.

little red · Jun 3, 2014

StefanZ said:
Use only the egg yellow, the yolk.   Raw white isnt so good for cats.   Try to find some use for yourself, perhaps baking something, or in your food, so you dont need to throw it out.

Re where there they do have the goat milk: probably best to ask there them who works there.   I imagine it can vary.   In my swedish shop its among the other milk sorts, well hidden.

If they will refuse? Just to try. But I havent heard of much refusals.     IF they refuse it depends on the brand - yes, I HAD heard on refusals reading on a polish breeders forum, but it was always for one especial brand.    They were happy with all the others brands. Even with pulverised goat milk.

IF they dont want it, you can use it yourself.   Goat milk is more costly than usual milk, but by itself its very good nourishment. Also many people who dont manage common milk manages goat milk just fine.

DE is useful in many situation if it is of " food grade" or "human grade" As you report.    But I havent heard anybody use it with the kmr, so I suppose it isnt recommendable.    Of course, perhaps because, if you give them kmr you can also give them some preparate especially made against worms. Pyrantel (pyrantel poamate) containing preparates as the active ingredience is renown to be mild for kittens. There are surely others too, the british allround preparate Milbomax   is known can be used to young kittens too.

*UPDATE* Ok we bought goat's milk from the dairy section in Walmart & they took to it with no problems. It has drastically improved their stool. But earlier today around 2 pm I went in to feed them after about 6 hours from their last feeding. Scar ate normal but Sarabi wouldn't eat anything. I forced about a 1/2 tsp in but that's all she would take. So, I loaded them up & took them to the vet. Scar is fine. Sarabi's temp was 103 something & they were both wormy. He gave them both an antibiotic shot that will last them 2 weeks & he de-wormed them. He said if she's not better in a couple of days to take her back but I wanted to get your guys' opinion on this. Since getting her home around 5 she is still acting groggy & not wanting to eat. She still feels a little warm to the touch. I have been feeding her about every 2-3 hours since 5 pm and I'm managing to get about 1 1/2 tsp in her but she's not willingly wanting anything to eat. Is this normal? Will it just take some time for the antibiotic shot to kick in & get her feeling better/more alert/wanting to eat? Should I go longer in between feedings to let her appetite build up or keep trying to feed her every couple of hours?

They are strictly on the goat's milk right now since it will be a few days before we'll be able to get powder KMR. Thanks guys!

red top rescue · Jun 3, 2014

Sorry that Sarabi is sick. 103 degrees is not as high in a cat as it is in a human, since their normal temp is 101.5 to 102 anyhow. Do make sure to keep her hydrated. You can use the pedialyte by itself if she won't take any formula, or just feed her smaller amounts more frequently. You should find out the NAME of the antibiotic that lasts for 2 weeks, however. It is possible it is the long-acting penicillin but also possible it is a drug called Convenia and that's fine as long as she has no negative reactions to it, but problematic if she does. You just need to know exactly what she was given. I'm glad the goat's milk helped with the diarrhea anyhow. You are doing a great job. Keep us posted/

little red · Jun 3, 2014

Red Top Rescue said:
Sorry that Sarabi is sick. 103 degrees is not as high in a cat as it is in a human, since their normal temp is 101.5 to 102 anyhow. Do make sure to keep her hydrated. You can use the pedialyte by itself if she won't take any formula, or just feed her smaller amounts more frequently. You should find out the NAME of the antibiotic that lasts for 2 weeks, however. It is possible it is the long-acting penicillin but also possible it is a drug called Convenia and that's fine as long as she has no negative reactions to it, but problematic if she does. You just need to know exactly what she was given. I'm glad the goat's milk helped with the diarrhea anyhow. You are doing a great job. Keep us posted/

What about when I'm at work? Now that they're 4 weeks old I've been feeding them about 6 to 7 hours which has made it easier for when I'm working since I only have to come home once to feed them. But with her feeling like this would I need to make a trip home from work every 2 or 3 hours to feed her? And the shot was Convenia-just looked at the receipt. How bad is this shot? What signs should I look out for? Kittens don't die from it do they?

red top rescue · Jun 3, 2014

Coming home from work once as you've been doing should be fine. Her fever isn't THAT high that she would dehydrate rapidly. When you are home you can give her fluids more often, and just try to give her a little more at the feedings where you know you will be gone a long time. I used to sneak my bottle babies in to work and keep them in a carrier in a closed room, but of course doing that depends on where you work! As for the Convenia, I'll answer that by private message. We don't want this thread to turn into a Convenia discussion because it's really about your babies problems with diarrhea when their formula was changed.

little red · Jun 3, 2014

Red Top Rescue said:
Coming home from work once as you've been doing should be fine. Her fever isn't THAT high that she would dehydrate rapidly. When you are home you can give her fluids more often, and just try to give her a little more at the feedings where you know you will be gone a long time. I used to sneak my bottle babies in to work and keep them in a carrier in a closed room, but of course doing that depends on where you work! As for the Convenia, I'll answer that by private message. We don't want this thread to turn into a Convenia discussion because it's really about your babies problems with diarrhea when their formula was changed.

I just got done feeding them (11 pm central time) and she was more alert this time & took the milk a little better. I had been misreading the syringe earlier--she was eating about 1 tsp not 1 1/2. But this time she did eat about 1 1/2 & wasn't as fussy about it. She was moving around more & is playing a little with Scar & was giving me kisses like she used to

I've been keeping their box at about 75-80 degrees, is this ok? I know as they get older it can be decreased to room temp but I figure with her fever she might get too chilly. Should I keep it at this or lower it a litte? Also, do I need to be putting water in their box? They're not drinking milk from a bowl yet so I was thinking I needed to wait until they knew how to drink from a bowl before giving them a water bowl unsupervised?

red top rescue · Jun 3, 2014

Since she has an antibiotic in her system now you should give her probiotics to replace her natural intestinal flora. One of the best ones for kittens is called Benebac (as in Beneficial Bacteria). We give it to all our orphans who don't have a mom to nurse on, and also to kittens who are on antibiotics. You can probably get it at a feed store or else you can find it online. It's a tiny tube of liquid you add to your formula. The warm box sounds like a good idea, it's not too hot and can't hurt. If they haven't learned how to drink from a bowl yet, then they would probably just get into the water and spill it and get wet. I'm glad to hear she's feeling better already. Here's a link about the Bene Bac. You can probably find it locally, but it not it's pretty easy to order it. I usually keep it in the 15 ml. syringe, which you use like a horse syringe and turn the little guide to allow you to depress a certain amount at a time. You can also get it in the little individual tubes. Google it and you will see the various forms it comes in.

http://www.petag.com/consumer-resources/faqs/bene-bac/

little red · Jun 4, 2014

Red Top Rescue said:
Since she has an antibiotic in her system now you should give her probiotics to replace her natural intestinal flora. One of the best ones for kittens is called Benebac (as in Beneficial Bacteria). We give it to all our orphans who don't have a mom to nurse on, and also to kittens who are on antibiotics. You can probably get it at a feed store or else you can find it online. It's a tiny tube of liquid you add to your formula. The warm box sounds like a good idea, it's not too hot and can't hurt. If they haven't learned how to drink from a bowl yet, then they would probably just get into the water and spill it and get wet. I'm glad to hear she's feeling better already. Here's a link about the Bene Bac. You can probably find it locally, but it not it's pretty easy to order it. I usually keep it in the 15 ml. syringe, which you use like a hore syringe and turn the little guide to allow you to depress a certain amount at a time. You can also get it in the little individual tubes. Google it and you will see the various forms it comes in.

http://www.petag.com/consumer-resources/faqs/bene-bac/

Thanks for telling me about the BeneBac. How often do I add it to the formula & for how long/til they're what age? Just got done feeding them again (10 am central) and she took 7 1/2 tsp!!!

Before that--around 4 am--she took about 7. She's starting to play more & talk again which makes us happy. And she was trying to crawl out of the box so we just grabbed a taller box and transferred them. We're going to insulate our large wire dog crate by attaching cardboard to all the sides so that they can have more room but still be housed in something that holds in their heat.

red top rescue · Jun 4, 2014

Check the directions for the Bene-Bac when you get it, but I would suggest using it every time you feed her for the two weeks the antibiotic is strongest, but Convenia actually hangs around in their system for a total of 63 days from when it's first given so you should probably give it to her once a day until that time period is up. It won't hurt and can certainly help her digestion in any case.

little red · Jun 4, 2014

Red Top Rescue said:
Check the directions for the Bene-Bac when you get it, but I would suggest using it every time you feed her for the two weeks the antibiotic is strongest, but Convenia actually hangs around in their system for a total of 63 days from when it's first given so you should probably give it to her once a day until that time period is up. It won't hurt and can certainly help her digestion in any case.

I'll give it to both of them since he gave them both the shot. I get paid Friday and will be getting it then. Fixing to feed them again & hoping for great results again

Help! 3 week old kittens with diarrhea

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

Advisor

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

Advisor

TCS Member

Thread starter

Advisor

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter