My Poor Kitten's Diarrhea Is Not Going Away

fiafia

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I adopted a 6 week old kitten about 14 days ago, I don't know a thing about cats - never had any, always dogs - but I got it because all it's siblings had been adopted and no one else would take the poor thing. Anyways, ever since I got the kitten it has had really bad diarrhea with stinky poop. I fed it me-O adult cat food - not knowing kitten food was different and then after reading some forums I switched to Whiskas Junior Jelly and Me-O kitten dry food in between (where I live, these brands are the only ones available). The diarrhea went away for a while after that but it's come back worse than ever! My poor kitty has been having accidents all over the house and it cries a lot when it's in the litter box. I took it to a vet but  again, where I live - the vet is of no help. I have taken him to 3 different vets and all of them just give him some Flagyl (metronidazole) and send him away. 
He had his blood tests done and his temperature checked - all normal. I have no idea what's wrong with him, he's a very active kitten (Thank God) no lethargy, but the diarrhea is NOT going away. I'm giving him rehydration solution.
Can anyone please help me? Like am I doing something wrong? Should I switch him to home cooked food? 
Thank you for taking the time to read this, it means a lot.
 

stephanietx

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I think the main culprit is the food change.  When you switch food abruptly, especially dry food, their little systems revolt and get diarrhea.  I don't know where you are, but there might be some other food that you can order if it's not too costly to ship to you. 

Secondly, has the vet tested and treated him for parasites?  That's another very common cause of diarrhea in kittens. 
 

lincy

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Have the vet check for worms/parasites and coccidia.
 

foxxycat

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you can try canned plain pumpkin for diarrhea. just a few drops in the formula bottle or mixed with wet food. It helps both extremes. And yes if I change food my adult young girl gets the yuckies which means a bath and hair cut to clean her up so we try to only do gradual changes.

There is another med I hope the more experienced kitten moms will chime in-I THINK it starts with a P.
 

handsome kitty

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He's young to be away from his mom.  Was this a litter of orphan kittens?  You may want to offer a small dish of KMR a couple times a day.

Re the litter box, you may want to contain him in a smaller area or put more small litter boxes in his area so he has time to get there.  You should also be using non-clumping litter, dirt or sand in the box.  Clumping litter can cause blockage in his intestines and can be fatal.  The litter boxes also need low sides between 1 -2 inches so he can get in easily.  Cut down cardboard boxes w/a barrier down first to prevent leaking through (like tin foil or wax paper).

If you can order from Amazon or another on-line source you can get kitten food that way.  If you are in the US there is also Chewy.com.

A small stuff animal will give him something his size to cuddle up to so he isn't missing his litter mates.

 [article="29716"]Identifying Common Ailments In Cats Adopted From Animal Shelters And Rescue Groups​[/article]  
 

Sarthur2

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Yes, parasites and intestinal bacteria can also cause smelly diarrhea. Antibiotics usually will clear it within a week if it's not just a food issue.
 
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fiafia

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The litter box is small enough for him to go by himself, he used it perfectly well before the diarrhea got really bad.
Their mom died and the previous owner didn't want the kittens.
I'm taking him to another vet the day after tomorrow, it's 2 hours away, I hope travel won't be too stressful for him - I'll definitely ask him to check for parasites.
If it is the food, what do I do? Do I switch back to the kind I gave him before?
Thanks a million everyone.
 

Sarthur2

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What color is the diarrhea?

Like someone said above, it may be coccidia. Please ask the vet about that. If so, Ponazuril is the med he needs. An anti-diarrheal will help too.

Just put puppy pads in the carrier, and bring baby wipes to clean him on the trip.

I think regarding food, that he should just stay on whatever he is on for now.
 
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