Stray kitten trouble

laurainthesky

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So we found a stray kitten last night. He seems to be around 3-5 weeks old. I am not sure if he was abandoned, or somehow got lost. he seems to have been taken care of, at least by his mother. He was not malnourished. He may have been estranged for 1-2 days. He had been crying by our fence for a few hours. We first heard it right before we left for the evening and he was still at it when we got back so we decided to investigate. Other than being covered by about 100 burs, he seemed like he had been cared for or at least had been fed recently. We de-burred him, bathed him with a light amount of dawn soap and got him fed and watered. He is on about a 2 hour feeding schedule, and I was up with him several times last night, feeding and then making sure he did his business in the litter box. We were doing great until about 6am and I couldn't make myself get out of bed due to the way my sleep cycle was at that moment. He had an accident and then I didn't have any trouble waking up at 6:30 to diarrhea all over the blanket. It was then that I noticed a slight swelling around his anus, which seems logical to me. Butts get swollen with diarrhea.

I called the vet as soon as the opened at 8am but it is Saturday and they were booked. The also close early so with having to work, and other nonsense, I wasn't able to secure an appointment for Monday morning which is my preference. I gave him half a capsule of cat pro-biotics I had on hand, recommended by the vet that I had for a previous issue with our other cat. My husband has arranged with his work to be able to take some time off that day to get him in a vet, so hopefully they will not be booked again, and I really don't know when I will be able to get him in. Probably Monday but maybe not until Tuesday or Weds. At this point his swelling in his behind seems exaggerated to me. We had some other strays several years ago not make it past 3 or 4 days with similar issue but much much worse swelling. I am so paranoid that I am either going to get my cats sick, or that we will not be able to save this baby.

So I say all of that to ask this: What is the likeliness that the swelling is a normal reaction to diarrhea/ and or the beginning of an internal parasite infection that can easily be treated next week, and with the young age of the kitten, how likely is he to make it to next week. It had not occurred to me, because I'm an idiot, to keep him in a strict quarantine. He hasn't had any direct contact with the others but they had been using the same little box for about 8 hours last night. Food and water were kept separate and trying to keep our hands washed before handling the other pets.

Any advice or insight is appreciated. I am a nervous wreck.
 

catsknowme

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  First - THANK YOU  for rescuing that defenseless kitten!!!

1.  Are you giving him unflavored Pedialyte, to keep him both hydrated and to balance his electrolytes? If you can't get any, you can make your own homemade solution, using either the one @ kitten-rescue.com (our TCS member Hissy's website) or the WorldHealthOrganzations.

2. His bottom is probably sore and COCONUT OIL is the best treatment for that, in my experience. The coconut oil is very soothing and offers antibiotic/antiseptic properties without pain or burning. If you have some calendula oil or tea, you can add a few drops.

3. You could try goat milk formula for him. I have had my best successes with goat milk, fresh or canned (if using canned, dilute it extra and just feed more often). I like the "kitten glop" formula @ kitten-rescue.com.  the commercial kitten milk replacers are often whey based and when mixed as directed, often causes diarrhea in my feral kittens.

Keeping the little guy warm, comforted and hydrated until he can see the vet should help. My prayers and vibes are already sent!
 

Please keep us posted!!!
 

Sarthur2

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He probably needs an antibiotic. You can use A&D ointment on his sore bottom. One of you needs to get him to the vet ASAP. Continued diarrhea can be fatal to small kittens.
 
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laurainthesky

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Catsknowme, you are a genius!

We went to the store last night and bought some of the good probiotic, prebiotic, no junk kitten food, goat milk and the pedialite. He has been drinking the pedialite exclusively, and I had planned to just give it him until it's gone? I have been mixing the kitten food in with the goat milk to soften it a bit.. I already had the tea oil and organic coconut oil and that has worked wonders. The swelling has gone down a lot. The stool are much more solid, almost normal. The kitten is a happy purrball.

Still planning on getting him in to the vet on Monday. Keeping fingers crossed. Feel much better about his chance of survival with his recent progress. Thanks a ton.
 

talkingpeanut

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Be careful with putting tea tree oil on your cat, if that's what you mean. I believe it can be toxic. Coconut oil is definitely safe.

Glad you're moving in a positive direction!
 
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laurainthesky

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Did I misunderstand about the Tea oil? So do not use it anymore?Did you mean regular tea. I am confused.
 

talkingpeanut

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I don't know what the original recommendation was, but tea tree oil can be dangerous if too potent.
 
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laurainthesky

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I had only used 1 drop in 1/8 cup of coconut oil  and then only a dab of that for the affected area. But I will cease using until he sees the vet tomorrow. 
 
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laurainthesky

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Update: The vet visit went well. He did have worms, but no Luekemia or cat HIV or any other serious disease. He got his first month of Revolution, and some first month shots. He will go in for a follow up in 3 weeks. I guess I was way off on the age. The vet thinks he was more like 10-12 weeks, but he is so tiny and had such low energy, maybe he was out on his own longer than I thought, or I just forgot how small kittens were. I thought my big fat 10 pound Siamese was small. :)

Thank you guys for all of your help and advice.
 
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