Need Help With 6 Day Old Orphan!! WORRIED!!!

A little back story first...my husband & I found a newborn kitten swimming, almost ready to drowned, in a tire full of ice cold rainwater last weekend. He had his afterbirth still intact. He had clearly just been born & abandoned by all the evidence around the tire. I grabbed him out of the water and took him in the house. I wrapped him up, tied the cord off, & cut it. I washed him up, dried him good, & got him warmed up good all while my husband went for some milk replacer & a bottle. I was so worried as I have bottle fed goats, but never kittens, but he took right to the bottle & at the next feeding he peed. The next morning he pooped the first time. So, for the next 3 days he did so wonderful when he was stimulated & he would poop usually once or twice a day. It was exactly like all that I had read on the internet (color/consistency). Then, he started pooping about every other feeding, but it was not formed together anymore. It isn't a lot every time, just a tiny spot. He only poops enough to wipe just a little. It's not watery, but it is runnier than before. It is just like the color & consistency of mustard. I am worried that he is getting or has a slight case of diarrhea. His bottom is getting pretty irritated too though so I have started wiping on the side of his bottom to keep from rubbing it worse. So, I went & got some pedialyte & started adding that to his bottle yesterday. He is not loosing weight or acting off or anything. Matter of fact I think he has picked up more weight the last couple of days. He is a little butterball. He has started playing with my fingers after eating & staying up a little more. He is very healthy it seems! I am just so scared of loosing this little guys. Me & my kids are so attached to him already. He has stole our hearts!! Please help!! Does he have diarrhea? Do I continue the pedialyte? What should I do??

       

msbridges said:

       

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You seems to do nicely!  Pedialyte is nice if he has diarrhea, he hasnt as yet.  Or if he is dehydrated.  Do not dilute the kmr more - unless you see its needing more dilutation - better to give a few drops between feedings.   He shall add about 10g every day, unless born miniature...  But more is allowed!

Exactly what kmr do you use?

Im adding some links, dont hesitate to come with follow up questions.

Also, he wil probably turn into a point in a few days.  "siamese mix"

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/hand-rearing-kittens

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/
http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/cat-care/kitten-care-handbook/
http://www.hdw-inc.com/glop.htm

Goats milk is useful instead of kmr. Raw goat milk is best – fresh or frozen,  but bottled /cartooned or  powdered full fat is OK too.

Re sore bottoms: There is also a s good trick, reinforced by Catwoma707 n here. You wash of their bottoms during warm running water, and simultaneously, tap on the bottow with a forefinger. Make sure everything is prepared, beause you dont want to risk them chilled out, and it shall be draught free. You set the water on running, slightly more than lukewarm (ie cat body temp or just a shade more). You lay the kitten in your hand, head to you, tummy up. Have it in a towel if necessary, so it doenst get slippery. In with the rear end under the running water, and after awhile, you tap with other forefinger on its private parts. Alike the mom would do. Usually works nicely, and also, no sores after a too intensive rubbing.. Dry off afterwards, and put the kitten on a heating pad, so you are sure it is warmed and comfy - the cold ones, and the weak ones, are always freezing, no`?

You can also put on some coldpressed olive oil or coldpressed rapeseed oil, its a common home remedy trick in many such situations.

Thank you so much for helping me & easing my mind. I am using Hartz brand kmr. I will definitely look through those links as well. I do have a Siamese mix male cat outside & I think he might be the father because he looked white the first day. With each passing day I see him changing color just like my tom did when he was born. He is becoming that cream color with the gray ears, feet, tail. His little pink nose & the pads of his paws are turning gray too. Thank you for the tips for his sore bottom too. I will definitely do that with the water. Do I do it with every feeding/stimulation? I hate to ask so much, but I am so new to this & I want to make sure he is ok & survives. One last thing, do you think he will start getting more regular with his pooping & it will get more firm like it should be & not so messy? Thank you again!! You are a lifesaver!

msbridges said:

 
Thank you so much for helping me & easing my mind. I am using Hartz brand kmr. I will definitely look through those links as well. I do have a Siamese mix male cat outside & I think he might be the father because he looked white the first day. With each passing day I see him changing color just like my tom did when he was born. He is becoming that cream color with the gray ears, feet, tail. His little pink nose & the pads of his paws are turning gray too. Thank you for the tips for his sore bottom too. I will definitely do that with the water. Do I do it with every feeding/stimulation? I hate to ask so much, but I am so new to this & I want to make sure he is ok & survives. One last thing, do you think he will start getting more regular with his pooping & it will get more firm like it should be & not so messy? Thank you again!! You are a lifesaver!

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Go get something like PetAg  as soon as possible I would not use Hartz ANYTHING. I know many here have mentioned having kittens fail to thrive and it being common when Hartz was used.

"Very informative! Throw the Hartz milk away and do not use it anymore! We have heard of very bad outcomes with it! We recommend KMR by Petag only, preferably powder, stage one in a can that you mix. But goat's milk is wonderful - stick with it!" from sarthur2 in this thread http://www.thecatsite.com/t/299661/orphaned-kittens-one-troubled-breathing

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for the information. It was a Sunday & that is what Wal-mart had so it was what he brought home. I will go tomorrow & get him something else. Thank you!

I actually found they have the KMR by PetAg at a couple of stores that are about an hour away, but I will be going tomorrow & getting him some. Do I just switch him over or is there a certain way to do it so that it doesn't hurt his little belly?

msbridges said:

 
I actually found they have the KMR by PetAg at a couple of stores that are about an hour away, but I will be going tomorrow & getting him some. Do I just switch him over or is there a certain way to do it so that it doesn't hurt his little belly?

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I've never bottle fed a kitten I just know a certain amount from reading and research still learning from that myself.

msbridges said:

 
I actually found they have the KMR by PetAg at a couple of stores that are about an hour away, but I will be going tomorrow & getting him some. Do I just switch him over or is there a certain way to do it so that it doesn't hurt his little belly?

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I second the warning about Hartz stuff. I wouldn't use it. The PetAg KMR is really good stuff.

Yes, the Hartz brand warning started between StefanZ and myself.

I had recently during the last kitten season distinctly that Hartz brand had not agreed with all kittens, maybe 1 out of every 8 or so (total approximation) was having issues with it, and poop turned white and they got sick and went downhill so fast, yet when immediately switched, they were able to be turned around and do well.

It just happens so fast that it's not worth the chance. Some do just fine, but I won't allow that risk for my fosters ever again.

If I saw a problem started with the Hartz brand I would say to stop it completely and switch to Petag, but since there are no issues surfacing, at least not now, I would mix 1/2 and 1/2, for one day, then full on Petag brand only.

Getting a scale will be your best friend, weighing daily will tell you if he is getting enough to thrive or not. Baby should gain 10 or more grams per day to be healthy, and amt to feed is 8 mls per ounce of weight, per day. Feeding every 2-3 hours.

Soft mustard color poop is the norm.

For pottying, run the water in the kitchen sink, straight hot at first then adjust the temp down to where it feels nice and toasty warm on your hands, not hot.

Take the baby by the scruff in your left hand (if right handed) and hold it in your palm so it's tummy side up and laying across your hand, tail at wrist end.

Stick the privates area only under the running tap water, and with your right hand tap the genitals and butt with your fingertip. Don't rub, just tap. Baby will get very relaxed and potty, and no more sore butt!

This is the best way to potty to me, it's clean and fast, and they like it

I am noticing now that he almost acts like he does want to go poop. He throws a fit, worse than normal when I make him go and seems like he is almost holding it back. It is just a small bit that comes out, not a full bowel movement like he was doing the first few days. Maybe I am just overthinking it all. I am just scared to death of losing the little guy because I know it can turn very quickly. I started doing the water trick that StefanZ said though like you mentioned. At least it won't irritate him. I don't know about liking it yet though. :/ His bottom is probably pretty sore. It looks almost swelled and like it has some blood from the wiping. I have always been easy, but it has still got sore. Thank you so much for all the info. I appreciate it.

msbridges said:

 
I am noticing now that he almost acts like he does want to go poop. He throws a fit, worse than normal when I make him go and seems like he is almost holding it back. It is just a small bit that comes out, not a full bowel movement like he was doing the first few days. Maybe I am just overthinking it all. I am just scared to death of losing the little guy because I know it can turn very quickly. I started doing the water trick that StefanZ said though like you mentioned. At least it won't irritate him. I don't know about liking it yet though. :/ His bottom is probably pretty sore. It looks almost swelled and like it has some blood from the wiping. I have always been easy, but it has still got sore. Thank you so much for all the info. I appreciate it.

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Have you tried the water trick yet?  How is it going?

Part of it is, the warm water feels relaxing to them, so it "should"  do the trick here, where he seems to hold against, because it hurts him to let go.

So using the warm water is an old trick used in several variations.  Catwomans reinforcement is the tapping as addition.   And also, the nice thoruough description.  

msbridges

You need to begin adding a couple of drops of olive or vegetable oil to every bottle to soften things up. It is not uncommon for kittens on formula to experience either diarrhea or constipation. Any blood seen is usually from irritation in the bowels. A tiny dab of diaper ointment will cure his sore bottom, but may not be used once he is able to groom himself. Or you can put some oil on his bottom for the chapping (only olive or vegetable).

You can use clear pedialyte instead of water to mix the powdered KMR by PetAg.

The fact he is gaining weight is excellent! Hopefully you are keeping him warm with eaither a heating pad on low under his blanket, or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel and placed nearby. He also needs room to move away if he gets too hot. A warm kitten can more easily digest his food.

He is just precious! Sounds like you are doing a great job!

I meant he doesn't want to go poop. Sorry. Yes I have been doing the water trick but he still cries the whole time. He has never liked being stimulated to potty. It just seems worse now. I guess maybe because his bottom is sore but it does look better some this morning. Thanks to you guys! I always have him go before feeding because I had read conflicting accounts for when to do it and I weighed the options and figured it best to do it first to help him eliminate and get woke up then feed. Plus after he eats he goes back to sleep and is all nice and cozy so I don't like to do it then and wake him back up and get him all wet. Is this alright? We have been doing it this way since birth so it has been our norm. I feel like I've asked a ton of questions but you guys have been amazing to me!! I really do appreciate all your help!! You have eased my mind so much!! Me & little Spook thank you!! :rub:

I actually have a rice heating pad that we use for our lower backs so I have given it to him.  He is in a small cat carrier so I put ​the heating pad (heated for 1 min. about every 3 hrs.) at the front and then he has the back part to get off from it. Sometimes he acts constipated but he poops just that tiny bit (speck). It's just enough to see a spot on the cotton swab. It's not a full bowel movement like was doing. He just acts like there is more. Maybe the oil would help with that. I am going go get his other kmr this a.m. too. Thanks for the tips!! I will use the oil on his bottom too.

msbridges

Let us know how he does on the PetAg KMR with oil added. Hope his bottom feels better soon.

It does sound like he's constipated. You can purchase baby glycerin suppositories, and shave off a tiny piece and insert it. Hopefully this enema will bring on a bigger poop and give him some relief.

Do you have a weight on him yet? How many mL's of formula is he drinking at each feeding?

Oh good idea about the suppositories. I think I have some here for my kids. He usually takes about 20 mL a feeding. I haven't got a small enough scale to weigh him yet. Wonder if they sell them at Petco.

Walmart has inexpensive digital scales. Don't know if the pet store carries scales.

How often are you feeding?

I have been doing every 3-4 hrs.

Sounds good! Knowing his weight will help if you can acquire a scale.

Let us know if the suppository helps too.