A sick kitten

I hand raised a litter of kittens from 3 days old.  I fed them KMR kitten formula.  One of the kittens has had problems defacating since the beginning.  Its needed enemas at the vet three times.  Right now it is on an antibiotic, High fiber, hairball meds, prednizone, and metacoplamine.  It seems to go almost a week with little bowel movements.  The fecal material seems to back up then it strains and strains to go always having a small amount of stool arount its rectum.  Its rectum is always sore and bleeding.  It is now 4 months old and only 3 lbs when its litter mates are 5 lbs.  Help! It is such a loving kitten and I'm at a loss at what to do. It's rectum is also hard and distended until it goes.

[Savas]

Metacoplarmine is a medication given to felines in renal failure. Was your cat/s tested and diagnosed for any other illnesses, like FeL, Calcivirus or FIP?

I'd keep your cat on a high protein, totally grain free holistic diet. But if you're still using kmr and you're getting hard stools...are you still using KMR? What are you feeding the kitten at the moment?

[chrispen777]

No it's not been on KMR for about 2 months.  The vet recommended Hill's Perscription Diet W/D canned food and Purina Veterinary Diet OM(overweight management) dry food. She recommended these for the high fiber content. She said the metacoplamine was to stimulate the colon to move the stool out.  I just had it to the vet for an enema.  It hadn't gone for almost a week.  Do you have any recipes for a grain free holistic diet or do you think a chicken and rice mixture might work?

[Mrs_Savas]

Hi,

I'm going to refer my husband (Savas) back to you're post tomorrow, because he's the dietary expert in the family.  But for now, I can tell you that rice is probably a really bad idea.  Rice is what we give cats with diarrhea because it "binds them up" so to speak.

Meat flavored baby food could be helpful as a supplement.  It doesn't have much nutritional value to speak of, so it won't take the place of a dietary regimen.  But it has a high water content which helps soften stools (dehydration can lead to hard stool and constipation) and kitties love the taste.

I hope that helps.  I'll ask Savas about the rest of your question tomorrow.

[Mrs_Savas]

Hi,

Savas is dictating to me over the phone, so the following is what he is telling me to tell you:

I'd suggest trying a grain free brand like By Nature's Organics. Its grain, wheat and soy free, all things that are hard for a cat to digest.

I'd also really suggest trying out one of the digestive enzymes like prozyme. It helps break down the food and "move things along", so to speak.

you could also try Holistic Blend, that's another good brand of foods. You'll want to avoid using rice as it's difficult (as I mentioned) for a cat to digest in its pure form.  Normally cats (like most carnivores) get their fruit and veggie vitamins from the carcass of their kills (partially digested in, say, a mouse's stomach).

So...with a cat that's having the problems you mention, definitely avoid anything not totally grain free, high in ash, or heavy on the sugars.

Hills is an okay brand of food but honestly, the brands I mentioned above are a lot better. They're good low residue diets that work well for cats with problem digestive issues. If they do help out with the problem, then you'll likely not see a weight issue as well.

[chrispen777]

We really appreciate all your advice and time spent sharing your knowledge.  Since I have talked to you last the kitten has been diagnosed with Mega Colon.  We're considering an appointment with a specialist that would remove the colon entirely.  The vet said that this would probably be the only way to save the kitten, but there is no guarantee that this will work.  The kitten could have diarrhea for the rest of its life, not to mention the cost to do this would be over 3,000 dollars.  We've already spent over 500 on tests etc.  If we knew the odds were good and the kitten had a good chance for a normal life we wouldn't hesitate, but we're already strapped financially.  It's been really tough, I've raised these quys from three days old and this one is sooooo loving.  It's like it can see into the depths of your soul.  Do you know anything about Mega Colon? Would diet help with this and where do you get Nature's Organics.  My husband and I have done alot of soul searching and are still not sure what to do.  I don't know how many times I've cried.  Thanks so much!!!!!