New Kitten, Smelly Discharge

libby74 · Jul 17, 2006

I became the proud Meowmy of 2 8-week old kittens on Saturday, Charlotte & Simon. Simon has an incredibly stinky discharge from his rear-end, and I'm assuming it's his anal glands. I've searched the forum for threads on this, and it definitely sounds right. His stools are soft, and I know that can cause the anal glands to not empty properly. It also seems swollen in that general area. I'll be taking both kittens to the vet Thursday for their first check-ups & tests.
I know I could wait & ask the vet, but I'm curious. Can I worm them while Simon is having this problem? Is this something that could be chronic, or is it usually diet related? When they were given to me, I was told they were on solid (dry) food. At the moment they're eating dry kitten food, canned food (just a little, they split a can with my 3 grown kitties), and milk that I'm diluting with water.
It's been 17 years since I've had a tiny kitten in the house. let alone 2, and I've never had a cat with this particular problem. Is this uncomfortable for Simon, and if so, is there anything I can do for him? Any advice/ideas on this would be appreciated.

hell603 · Jul 17, 2006

Glad to see you made an appointment at the Vets to have both checked and properly treated. I think it best that worming question be answered then depending what other meds they might need.

yosemite · Jul 17, 2006

Originally Posted by libby74

I became the proud Meowmy of 2 8-week old kittens on Saturday, Charlotte & Simon. Simon has an incredibly stinky discharge from his rear-end, and I'm assuming it's his anal glands. I've searched the forum for threads on this, and it definitely sounds right. His stools are soft, and I know that can cause the anal glands to not empty properly. It also seems swollen in that general area. I'll be taking both kittens to the vet Thursday for their first check-ups & tests.
I know I could wait & ask the vet, but I'm curious. Can I worm them while Simon is having this problem? Is this something that could be chronic, or is it usually diet related? When they were given to me, I was told they were on solid (dry) food. At the moment they're eating dry kitten food, canned food (just a little, they split a can with my 3 grown kitties), and milk that I'm diluting with water.
It's been 17 years since I've had a tiny kitten in the house. let alone 2, and I've never had a cat with this particular problem. Is this uncomfortable for Simon, and if so, is there anything I can do for him? Any advice/ideas on this would be appreciated.

Firstly, congratulations on your new fur babies.

Please do NOT de-worm these kittens with any over-the-counter products. Let your vet check them and provide any de-worming medications that will be safe for the little ones.

Part of the reason they may have loose stool is the milk. If you are diluting cow milk that may cause diarrhea since most cats are lactose intolerant. If you want to give "milk", it is best to use goat's milk or the KMR (kitten milk replacement) from your local pet store.

Wet food is also better for your cats/kittens than an all-dry food diet. The kitten should also be fed kitten food but you don't want your adults to eat it because it could be fattening for the older cats.

libby74 · Jul 17, 2006

I'd never use an OTC wormer; I'm waiting to get something from the vet. I was just curious about the "when can I do it", since Simon has this problem.
I'm sure his anal glands are tender, as he doesn't like it when I check "back there". I've never expressed a cat or kitten before, and am really afraid I'll hurt him. I've used a warm compress on him this morning, and he didn't seem to mind that at all. I just don't want him to be in pain until Thursday.

hell603 · Jul 17, 2006

ohhhh poor babies - might be a good idea to call the VET, explain the situation and see if they can squeeze you in earlier..

libby74 · Jul 17, 2006

I stopped by the vet's this morning & talked to the head tech. She said that as long as he's using the litter box & eating well there should be no problem waiting until Thursday. Of course, that's subject to change, depending how Simon is feeling the next couple of days.
I also stopped by the pet store & bought some kitten milk. Charlotte took to it right away, Simon wasn't impressed.
I've read that soft stools means the kittens need more fiber in their diet. Any ideas on how to go about doing that? (I assumed the dry food was giving them fiber.)

goldenkitty45 · Jul 17, 2006

I've have the vet worm them - you don't know the type of worms they may have. And mention about the anal glands too. Some cats have an ongoing problem with anal glands, some don't. Hopefully your's doesn't.

curlyq629 · Jul 17, 2006

Originally Posted by libby74

I've read that soft stools means the kittens need more fiber in their diet. Any ideas on how to go about doing that? (I assumed the dry food was giving them fiber.)

While I've never used it, I've read on numerous threads that people mix a little (no more than a tablespoon) of canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling) to help regulate loose or constipated stool. You might consider calling to vet (or head tech) and asking about that as an option until Thursday.

libby74 · Jul 18, 2006

While I've never used it, I've read on numerous threads that people mix a little (no more than a tablespoon) of canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling) to help regulate loose or constipated stool. You might consider calling to vet (or head tech) and asking about that as an option until Thursday.

Well, I feel silly now. I was giving pumpkin to 2 sick kitties that I nursed a few months ago. Duh.
Simon is doing much better this morning. Most of the swelling is gone, and I can touch him "back there" without him making a fuss. And since most of the swelling is gone, I've discovered Simon not be a male after all.

He's still so tiny it's hard to see much of anything; thank heaven he/she & Charlotte are going to the vet Thursday!
I think it may be just a case of diarrhea that I unwittingly aggrevated by giving him cow's milk. The discharge also seems to have disappeared, so I think I can stop worrying so much now.

yosemite · Jul 18, 2006

Sounds like good news Libby. Cow milk can definitely give them diarrhea so perhaps that was the issue here.

libby74 · Jul 20, 2006

Got the kitties to the vet this a.m.; Simon is no longer Simon, he's now Bridget

Both girls are in good health, Bridget's discharge has stopped (my fault---cow milk), tho' she is still a little swollen from the diarrhea. Bridget weighed all of 1.5 lbs, Charlotte a whopping 2.25! Strangely, the vet is only 95% sure that Charlotte is female; he says things are spaced a little farther apart than usual, but he couldn't detect undescended testicles(and he definitely hunted for them!).

yosemite · Jul 20, 2006

Originally Posted by libby74

Got the kitties to the vet this a.m.; Simon is no longer Simon, he's now Bridget

Both girls are in good health, Bridget's discharge has stopped (my fault---cow milk), tho' she is still a little swollen from the diarrhea. Bridget weighed all of 1.5 lbs, Charlotte a whopping 2.25! Strangely, the vet is only 95% sure that Charlotte is female; he says things are spaced a little farther apart than usual, but he couldn't detect undescended testicles(and he definitely hunted for them!).

Simon is a Bridget!

Glad to hear Bridget is feeling better.

New Kitten, Smelly Discharge

libby74

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hell603

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yosemite

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libby74

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hell603

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goldenkitty45

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curlyq629

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yosemite

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