Weaning question/possible URI

It is a darker brown. And it's a mix of diarrhea and firm poop. Like it was a decent amount of diarrhea and then turned firm towards the end.

This has happened like 3 times since last night. Should we thicken his food back up? I've been making it thinner to get more fluids into him. Maybe this is why he has diarrhea? I'll call the vet when they open and see what they think.

It also smells pretty bad. And he passes gas while going... his formula smells okay too, so I don't think it is rancid. But this started after I gave him extra fluids. But he was having a bit of trouble getting his poop out before it started. It was hard and he was straining and crying a little and rubbed his butt on the litter. Then a couple minutes after that he went back to the litterbox and got it out but it turned to diarrhea at the end. I'm freaking out. He is so important to me now. He's part of our family.

Is this more formula than he was getting alone before he started wet food gruel?

The fact it's brown is a good sign. Another color would be worrisome.

I'm thinking it may be the changes to his diet in general. Which wet food are you using?

No, before he started gruel he was getting about 3 1/2- 4 tsp of formula every four hours. He's now getting like 1 1/2 mixed with 3- 3 1/2 tsp canned food and 1 tsp inbetween feedings. So it's less than he was getting before. But with him having diarrhea I'm worried about dehydration. We feed him the premade KMR (he's been eating since we got him) mixed with Wellness Core grain free kitten formula canned food.

So it is probably the formula. I never recommend the pre-mixed canned formula. It almost always causes diarrhea. The stuff is thick.

I suggest you pick up a can of powdered PetAg formula and begin using that. Then he can have more formula without getting diarrhea. In the meantime, mix his gruel with water.

We actually have some in the fridge. We tried using it once but it constipated him pretty bad. So we went back to the pre-mixed. But come to think of it, we started the powdered right when the vet gave us anti diarrhea gel. I am working, but I will tell my boyfriend to start using that instead. I am also having him give him some probiotics called Benebac.

Do you think because we stopped giving him so much formula and then started giving him more it is giving him diarrhea? Because his little body was getting used to not having so much?

The powdered formula plus Benebac should firm up his stool today. Keep me posted.

Should we mix it with pedialyte instead of water?

No, I do not think that is the case. I think it is the pre-mixed formula he is reacting to. When you stopped giving as much he was not peeing much, so he still needs formula.

When kittens with a mom are weaning, they are eating wet gruel AND still nursing mom, so they still get fluids. He still needs gruel plus formula for awhile.

Okay I just don't understand why he is reacting to it worse now than he was before? He has been on the same formula for like 5 weeks, other than the few days we were on the powdered kind. I mean he had diarrhea, but only a little, it was mostly thin pudding-ish poop before we started gruel.

I don't know either, but pre-mixed can cause diarrhea. His body may not be liking it anymore. If the diarrhea continues, it may be the wet food. Let's wait and see!

Okay should I mix it with pedialyte instead of water though?

Yes, that is what I would do.

Okay should I only give the probiotic once a day?

Yes, as the powdered formula also has probiotics in it.

Okay thanks a lot! I'll let you know how it goes!

Please do! I'm hoping this firms up his stool.

This is the adorable little guy. Thought maybe you'd want to see him since you've been helping me so much.