5 week old babies with diarrhea!

When I went to clean the litterbox tonight, I found 3 little piles of yellowish diarrhea, with a bit of red in them, as if blood. I did not think this litter had worms, since I have seen no signs, but now I'm hoping that is all it is. No babies are dehydrated.

They have been using the litter box for about the past week. It did seem like they pooped a lot, but I thought it was just due to so many kittens. And today, several have lost weight (0.4 to 0.6 oz.) I will call the foster agency lady tomorrow, and either send in poo samples or send the kittens to the vet...depending on what she thinks would be best.

Oh, I hope it is something simple like worms!

OOooh I hope it is just worms. My two females have diarrhea at the moment too - we ran out of cat food over the public holidays and had to give them a little bit of *gasps* go cat...

It is a good possiblity it is worms.
This may be a myth, hopefully someone will correct me, if I am wrong. I think that when a litter starts weaning and going on to solid foods, that is when worms are introduced into their systems.
I hope it isn't anything serious, and that everyone is feeling better very quicky.

Yes, they just started solids about a week ago, and then started using the litter box. Then Friday I changed to Science Diet, from another brand. I hope it is something minor...there has been so much bad news here at TCS, and I lost 3 kittens from a litter of 5 last summer.

That experience of finding a kitten who has passed is so very painful.

It is Miracle and the twin tabbies (Zazzou and Spazzou) who have lost a bit of weight.

I don't think I'm going to sleep very well tonight. Just hearing others confirm that it could be worms helps SO MUCH!

FTRags - I've never heard, sounds false - but can anyone clarify? Interesting..

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

FTRags - I've never heard, sounds false - but can anyone clarify? Interesting..

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I agree, I think it sounds like a myth, I would love to hear the answer.

I will pray that all is well. Please keep us updated.

I did a google search on kittens and worms, and there is nothing that I am reading that says anything about it having to do with worms entering through the food. I am convinced that this is a myth.
There were several websites that did give information on each individual worm or parasite that can commonly infect kittens, and how kittens become infected by each one. Those most common are roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, coccidia, and heartworm.

Kittens are generally born with worms. Not all kittens, but certainly most. They are generally wormed at around 5 weeks old.

I just had my fosters in for what i expected was coccidia. The symptoms that he described are yellowish diarrhea with blood in it. Mine didn't have the blood so he diagnosed it as a gastro-intestinal virus.

You may want to take in a fecal sample where they can check/rule out the coccidia.

Good vibes for you and your baby...i know all about the sleepless nights and worry.

They do have yellowish diarrhea with blood in it, but the vet said they didn't see any signs of coccidia or worm eggs. They said maybe it could be tape worms, and to watch and see! They did say I could bring the kittens in for a check up, and to watch that all were eating.

I'm calling the foster agency lady for more advice. I don't like the idea of wait and see with blood in the stool of an infant.

Originally Posted by hissy

Kittens are generally born with worms. Not all kittens, but certainly most. They are generally wormed at around 5 weeks old.

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Ditton on above!!

Being your bunch are 5-weeks or so, I would deworm now. I have a foster group of eight...all approximately 5-weeks of age and a good dose of Strongid did the job.

Could it be the food switch irritating their bowels? How quickly or slowly did you switch them? I would ask about, I can't remember the name, but I got it from my vet for my last bottle baby orphans (8 yrs ago!) who had diarrhea. It was for kittens or sick or recovering cats and had high water content and other things they need when they get down, and I think it was made by Hill's. It comes in a can. Maybe someone else knows (or your vet) what it is called. I also had one in that litter who got dehydrated, and I had to take him in for fluids under the skin, and then he was fine. I would keep some records of their weight vs. how much they are eating, using the litter box,etc. so you have all that for calling your vet. If you're really worried, go ahead and let the vet check them for your peace of mind. Will be praying they will be alright. We have the opposite problem-a 4 wk old who hasn't pooped other than a smudge or two in over 48 hours. We may be taking a trip to the vet after I call her !

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

They do have yellowish diarrhea with blood in it, but the vet said they didn't see any signs of coccidia or worm eggs. They said maybe it could be tape worms, and to watch and see! They did say I could bring the kittens in for a check up, and to watch that all were eating.

I'm calling the foster agency lady for more advice. I don't like the idea of wait and see with blood in the stool of an infant.

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I agree asking for a second opinion is good.

The foster lady says they have had other kittens with similar symptoms who cleared up on their own (after conferring with a vet). If they don't improve, or seem to be doing poorly, I will take them in for a check, but for now since the vet and Barb are advising wait and see how they do, I will wait.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. I will do my best to keep a close eye on them (while working full time!), and if it doesn't seem better they will see the vet.

The food change was quick...I wasn't ready for them all to start eating solids so quickly, so ended up running out of kitten food and giving them my cats adult kibble...so when I got kitten food again I changed them to it. I'll try to pick up some KMR to supplement with tonight if anyone seems to be falling behind on their weights.

Becky - praying it's a temporary little thing. I had a thought about the food, too. I may be totally off the wall, but when my SON (not furkid, real kid) was a baby, he had this yellow diarrhea with blood in it. We took him to the emergency room and all they could figure was that it was something I was eating, since I was nursing him. I stopped certain foods, and sure enough, that cleared it up. Thinkin of ya!

Hopefully it was just the food, and will clear up quickly . I am currently investigating food other than SD (prescription) for my cats, after all I read about it on my Boxer website, and some here. Will be praying they get better quickly !

The babies are much improved! Everyone's weight is up, at least slightly. All have healthy appetites. However, the runt (Rafiki), who did not get sick, has gotten bigger than one of the kittens who was sick. The one kitten has only gained 0.2 oz in a week! (Why did I quit weighing them daily?!?!)

There were a few loose poops last night and this am, with the yellowish coloring, but no blood. I feel certain everyone will be fine, although I'm still concerned about the little tabby. I'll keep a close eye on him, but the others are all improved!

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

And if someone reads this in the future, please be sure to get a vets input to be sure the kittens aren't wormy or dealing with coccidia, if you see similar symptoms. Although mine seem to be doing well, if I ever see yellow diarrhea, especially with blood, I will take a sample to the vet. If this had been coccidia, a delay of a few days could mean life or death for little ones.

wow i am happy all is good. The little one am sure will do ok.

Well, there were several pasty, yellowish diarrhea poops again this morning, so I decided to take more poo samples to the vet. Rather than taking them all in one baggie, I put them in an empty egg carton. One poo per section. That way they weren't all mushed together, and the kitty litter didn't cover everything...so they could easily see the funky color.

Today, they saw LOTS of roundworm eggs, and tapeworms, in the kitten poo. Momma had nothing in hers. However, they will all be treated with Strongid tonight. Then, once they get over 1-1/2 pounds, I will treat them with Drontal. Of course, Momma Sarabi will be treated as well.

And they are even giving me Drontal for my cats, because I am paranoid about them getting it from the fosters, even though I try to keep them separate. The dog is fine, since she is on heartworm preventative.

I'm glad to have found something...and I think in the future, I will simply dose my kittens with Strongid when they get old enough!