Mama cat with Diarrhea what to do?

[Karmaconnection]

Sorry this is long but here's the situation....We found a stray or I should say a stray kitty found us, it was before the last snow storm a month ago. I didn't think because we have two cats, but I brought her in because I thought she was pregnant and she had been crying at our door for over a week and it broke my heart. I put her in our bedroom (the only room with a door) and I've kept her isolated from our two cats. Not sure if we'd keep her our other cats really didn't like the idea and we are unemployed/disabled. I took her too a local vet which I had never gone to before (I had moved away from my vet, whom was great). I explained the situation: it a stray, we didn't know if we wanted to keep her, we didn't want to drop her off at the pound to be killed, we thought she was pregnant and she had stinky poop. I gave him the poop sample, he wanted to run tons of test, including an ex-ray to see if she was pregnant (she had a big belly, large nipples and you could feel the babies moving) for big $$$. The vet made me buy tapeworm medicine for all three cats even though the cats had no contact (over $100). One day after the tapeworm medicine she got diarrhea. I called and I was told pumpkin, boiled riced and chicken, which I did. Then when it didn't go away, I kept calling but they said wait for the test and after that they would give me anti-diarrhea medicine. Results took 10 days. I was told she didn't have tapeworm but roundworm and said I had to treat all three cats just the med would be over $200 . I asked if I could use the worm away from the store, they said yes. I gave the 1st dose and they day after she stopped having diarrhea. A week later she gave birth to 3 babies. When she was due to have the 2nd dose (which I wasn't going to give because of the babies) but she started having diarrhea again. I called and they weren't available, they kept saying the vet was in surgery and the girl said give the meds, I did. Now it's been week, the babies are 2 weeks old and I've done the pumpkin, yogurt and dry kitten food only again. She is eating, purring, feeding babies seems fine except for the oozing poop. I did call the vet to get the diarrhea medicine but he won't give it too me unless I come back in pay for another office visit, run another poop test and then what ever other costs. Would the 1st poop test show more than worms, would the Sentry worm away cause diarrhea, would it be because she's nursing. I don't want to kick her out or take her to a kill shelter, I was going to try to find her and the babies homes. Is there something I can give the nursing mom to stop the diarrhea?  Also should my other cats be fine since they had no contact?

[nanasrescue]

Boiling chicken now,lol, thanks for all the great advice,I'm sure I can help her

[Karmaconnection]

Sorry it's taken so long to reply, we had our basement flooded two weeks ago and I've been doing nothing else since(it was all of my stuff in storage).
Scotter, should have a new name, "popper" or "hopper" she jumps straight up when she's playing, she looks like a jumping bean. She is super fast when she wants to slip past me to get out the door. She might have had a slow start but you can't hold a good woman back.

The black with the white colar doensn't like to share his food. When I feed them he puts both paws out to the sides and gives a little growl.

The white with black spots is the orneriest, he's a little always pouncing on the others.

I want to keep them all but I can't so I've been trying to decide and I change my mind daily. I think they will all have hazel grey eyes. I've been trying to get my neighboors interested, so at least I could visit. but so far no go.

I did put up a 4ft gate inorder to allow the kittens to explore a little more of the house and so the cats see and smell yet still keeping them seperated. Those little stinkers are climbing my make-shift gate and sitting on top. I tried taling pics but they move so fast for my old digital camera, I'll have to catch them naping.

I'll post more later

[CML2014]

Hi Karma,

Just checking in on some of my favorite kitties. How is little "Scooter" and her Mama doing? I know you are busy, but if you get the chance please fill us in.

Thanks,
CML

[Karmaconnection]

Thank you! I'll try to get some new pics up, soon. :)

[Karmaconnection]

Thank you for you kind words. I love animals, all animals and I wish I could save them all. At least I know I gave them a better chance for a better life, than being on the streets.
As for the Mama's food maybe because she was outside, she seems to eat whatever I give her. Right now she's eating low grain, high protein dry a fish and pheasant blend which is out all the time and twice a day she gets a tablespoon of wet kitten food.
My other cats do get picky about what they'll eat, which seem to change. I do give them what they want (until they change their minds on me) then I try to mix what they were wanting with what they currently want. It's a situation that drives me bonkers. Good luck with the food situation, let me know if you come up with a solution.

[CML2014]

Wow! Great News. I love hearing these kinds of things. I was so disturbed to hear another one of our favorites did not make it, so it was a pleasure to read your post.

Keep up the love and great work you are doing with them. I agree with Ed,if  everyone were like you, what a wonderful place world it would be for all creatures.

Thank you so much for being such a wonderful loving and caring cat Mom.
....if anything changes or you get them to the vets, please let us know what is happening.

Until later.......

Sincerely.
CML

[ed34]

Just wondering what you are now feeding the Mom. I have 2 females and food has been a real trial with them, as well as the dried food problem I posted about. I discovered that my cats hate anything which isn't fish. I've tried chicken, duck and all kinds of meat, but they will only pick at anything besides fish. One of these females was the runt of the litter and now she's the tough gal. I used to pick her up and latch her onto a teat next to her brothers and sisters each time they fed and she very quickly caught up. I think that must have created a special bond because she follows me everywhere like a dog yet growls at other humans. She has a few nutty half hours of running in the catflap, up to me and growling, then runs off again. Strange but she seems to be enjoying it lol.
It brought a tear to my eye reading your story, and I just wish every person on this planet was as nice. What a great place it would be for animals then.

[Karmaconnection]

Hi, Sorry I have not been getting on the computer as much things are a little crazy and I am trying to limit computer use because I have an old computer that uses XP and since they stopped maintaining it and the new virus scare, I don't want to damage what I do have.

Well I put together more boxes for the kitties to run through, attached them with duct tape and they are loving it. I think there is going to be a good out come, it seems as if the little girl is growing out of it, I don't know if there is still a hip issue but she is standing better a little more bow-legged that her brothers and she's playing with her brothers vigorously. The stronger she gets the more she wants to go, she runs differently than her brothers but she's started to run, which is a good sign I think.

The kittens just started eating a little wet kitten food and seem to be getting stronger, although the mama is still nursing. I have a long cat tube that my cats got board with and I put on the bed and they zip in and out and over and around, they have a ball, I'm falling in love with them all and want to keep them all but even if I could afford to feed them. I don't think I could keep up with all the poop scooping.

My arms are so scratched up because the kittens are climbing and biting on them. I starting to make a small scratching post, since I have the extra rug and wood, nothing fancy.  

The Mama still has some stinky poo and sometimes having soft oozy poop again. I wonder if the babies had worms and reinfected her? I put a litter box in for the babies but they mostly play in it and pee on the towel that's around the littler box . I'm assuming now that the babies are starting to eat wet food, the pooping will be coming. I hope the mama shows them where to go.

[CML2014]

Hi Karma,

Just checking on "Scooter" and her Mama. Please let us know how things are going , K?

Sincerely,
CML

[CML2014]

Hi Karma.

Oh if only I were near you, I would take that little one in a second. There are others out there like me. You just need to get some publicity for this little one. Maybe a local newspaper can run a story and see if there is anyone out there with a big heart for a little girl. Love is all she needs. The rest will take care of itself.

I had a girlfriend who adopted only handicapped kits and some only had 3 legs, but all managed to live a good life because they were LOVED.

Please let the no-kill shelter be your last choice. She will get lost in the crowd and without that special care she will NOT make it.

I will pray for you both!
It must be very hard for you to watch this and not know what her future will be. You are wonderful for giving her the love she needs right now. I greatly admire you.

CML

I am so sorry I read this, I am so sad for you and your liyyle girl.

Please keep us posted

[Karmaconnection]

Sadly the little girl is having a problem, I can feel her hips and spine which I think is the reason she not walking as well. She does splits and sits on her legs like a seal (out to the sides). When she tries to stand he hips pop up. I'm afraid to take her to the No kill shelter. I would love to keep them all but 6 cats and a bf with Alzheimer's would bet hard.
The white with black spots he is frisky and like to play an rough house, he even jumps on his mom and then she bops on the head with her paw but it doesn't stop him. The black with a white collar, he's inquisitive and such a little lover. The little girl, even with her hip issue, she's a trooper and scoots around the box. All are so friendly, none hiss and all love to get their bellies scratched. I am worried about her though, I don't know what can be done for her and I'm afraid others will feel it's easier to just kill her.

[zodiacqueen]

Thanks for the update!!  That is great news!!

Hope the last baby catches up soon.  I have a feeling that he will.

[AppleBr]

Going there to see the pics, thanks  for posting news :-)
Good job, keep going!

[Karmaconnection]

Mama cat got all of meds and has solid poop but still stinky maybe only more noticeable because she's in our bedroom. Babies 2 and 3 are doing fine, little concern for baby 1, not walking as well, half walking half still scooting. Haven't heard back from the no kill shelter yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's just the runt. Posted pics of mama and babies and our own two big boys.

[AppleBr]

Seems like OPUS was faster than me.No problem,we always agree in everything...

[AppleBr]

Im glad to heard your efforts are finally getting some result.
Hope the new vet be sucessful and momma cat issues solved soon.Best of lucky for all the family, felines and humanes, you do deserve all the best
Keep posting news.
To upload a pic here you go to your personal page, look for "photos" and upload photo, find the digital archive in the computer/pen drive other midia,open and upload.
Big hug!

[opus88]

good for you for searching out an alternative to the over charging/under caring Vet experience you had. so good to know there are caring ones out there that are willling to put some time in and actually try to find the answer to poor mama's troubles.
I sure hope this solves her issues, keep us posted.

btw to post a photo....go to your home page, find the icon for photos on the left hand side, click on that...than click on upload photos...you must have photos saved to your computer, than you can browse thur and choose what to upload...good luck, would love to see some:)

[Karmaconnection]

Thank you for everything!
Just wanted you to know I took the little mama to Banfield vet in pet smart stores only one open on Sundays. Such an awesome vet, she stayed in the room over 15 minutes, answered questions, offered advice, testing done right on site, plus medication only $58. They even bathed her, poor thing had exploded poop in the cage on the way to the vet, they even washed my cage. She had no worms just an overgrowth bacteria that could have been stress related or form worm meds. I can't even be sure she even had worms the horibale vet wouldn't even give me a copy of the test results, he could have just be trying to sell meds to pad the bill. This vet my cat were not in danger of contracting anything since no contact or  no shared litter boxes. So I didn't need to spend $100 for tapeworm meds that none of the cats had. I talked to a neighbor and he had his own horror story about that vet. She was given Metronidazole, which is what I thought she would need but can't get without an Rx. I wish I could have got a little extra just to keep on hand. I hope it works fast, I've been changing sheets constantly because I can't keep her off the bed, she want to be near us. I'd like to send you a pic of the mama and babies but I don't know how. Thanks again

[Karmaconnection]

Yes I stopped the yogurt, the pumpkin was pure not the pie mix and the capsules was the psyllium to me I just called it Metamucil. She's not eating the chicken, so I left dry only which she is not happy about and changing water often.  I called around all day vets, clinics found a couple no kills but they are not taking cats now and really only want the kittens. I am fine with keeping them till they are ready to accept them, if they would only help with the diarrhea issue but I can't even take them to their clinic because they only accept spayed animal into the clinic. So frustrated, had to stop to cook for my bf  with Early on set Alzheimer's. Will start again tomorrow with the calls.

[opus88]

good for you for having such a big heart and wanting to help this poor little mamma and her babies....you sound much like me, I cry to see these poor cats in cages and for that reason I just cannot go near a spca or anywhere that houses animals...breaks my heart.

You have a real dilemma, about when to surrender them, what is in their best interest...is there a NO KILL shelter near you, one that has veterinary care? do some phoning around and explain the issues you are having with momma and new babies and the lack of $$$. see what you can find out.
IF there is a no kill shelter that will help her than that maybe your best bet, I know young weaned kittens (at least 6 weeks old) are easier to adopt than when they get older...so that may be of some comfort to you.

but in the meanwhile, we have to get that diarrhea under control.
do NOT give her anymore of the yogurt, as I said earlier it could be some of the diarrhea problem.

its also possible that she is full of these roundworms and along with the meds its causing all the looseness...that I'm not sure about...if so it will pass.

the chasing her tail can be a sign that her back end is bothering her...due to all the diarrhea it could be quite irritated.
Its VERY important that she drinks lots of water so she doesn't end up dehydrated.

the gas issue again can be due to the meds OR the new food isn't agreeing with her, but it should be good since you indicated its a high protien/no grain type. what brand is it?
too much fiber can also cause gas, how much pumpkin are you giving her?? are you sure you are using PURE PUMPKIN and NOT the pie filling???? be very sure on this b/c the pie filling is full of sugar and spices and NOT to be used

stick with the chicken ONLY for a few days...nothing else other than water.

are you near a vitamin supply store or health food store???
there is something that would work very good for the diarrhea(better than pure pumpkin)

this is called psyllium husk powder.....NOT metamucil(again too much sugar) has to be the pure husk powder. if you can buy some of this. mix 1/4 teaspoon with 3-4 teaspoons water to form a gel put a small treat in it and she should lick it up...this will help the diarrhea alot...

[Karmaconnection]

Thank you for your reply. Our two big boy cats, which we love but are not affectionate, they want to be in the same room with you but at a distance and forget about picking them up, unlike my cat of 18 years which passed on 10/10/10. They have not had any contact with the little mama, they hissed, growl and attack at each other with the door in between them, which got worse after babies were born (naturally). I don't think they'll ever accept each other.

I have kept the little mama in our bedroom, feeding her separately and even gave her a separate litter pan. I have anti-bacterial wipes I've been using and washing the sheets often, I think I will throw the rug out (it's only a remnant) because she leaves little dots and spots where ever she sits.

She is so friendly. When she's not with her babies she wants to be up on the bed with us. She wants to get under the covers (which I've tried to discourage because of her poop issue) or pulls my hair (not sure if she's eating/playing or cleaning me). She even started chasing her tail like a dog does, but only after she gave birth. I never saw a cat do that and hoped she was just playing and not an effect from the medicine.

I never had experienced kittens before, all of my cats over the years were rescues 10 months of age or older. Babies are eating like little piggies, starting to open their eyes, twitching and moving and sleeping a lot. Mama very attentive, occasionally bites at the babies, which worries me, but I distract her with a little loving scratching for her and she then resumes to being loving and attentive.

I noticed last night when and right after she's nursing her ears gets a little warm, this morning they seemed fine. Of course I'm concerned and would not want anything to happen, I guess never being a mom or experiencing kittens, I'm concerned at every thing because I don't know what to expect or what is normal. I think the diarrhea and gas on top of it, makes me really worried. Of course I don't want illness spreading. She didn't start the diarrhea until worming, which went away and came back. I did give the second dose which didn't stop the diarrhea as it did with the first dose. I did give the yogurt, and pumpkin until after the second dose didn't work. I have boiled her chicken and rice she was too into that, I have dry kitten food (even bought the $$ high protein, no grain kind) and lots of fresh water. What I am noticing is she also having lots of gas, which sometimes spits poop out. I even called that vet back to see if he would sell me the anti-diarrhea meds which I read are antibiotics, they said no, the girl relayed the no answer(because the vet actually never spoke to us besides five minutes on the first visit, he never even examined the cat beside touching it with a stethoscope, at my request to see if she was pregnant, which is when he said he could only tell if he ex-ray the cat) The girl was rude and then hung up on me. Never experienced such a vet before. I of coarse will start calling around to find a better vet or hopefully a no kill shelter. If she is sicker than an anti-diarrhea medicine or anti-biotic, then I'm not able to do what is best for her. Although it does bother me to know she could be killed or kept in a cage all day, where since my BF in now disabled I am home all day and give her personal and loving care. I would love to keep fostering them and when the babies were old enough for them to find forever home had them over but I don't think anyone does that. So I am torn with just dumping them off, or spending money and we if we couldn't find homes for them we can't keep them all. I know I didn't think, but I couldn't bare to see her suffer (I bawl at the A.S.P.C.A commercial) I hate to go look at pet store animals because they look so sad and lonely and I want to rescue them all. I hate to see any animal suffer. Even when my cat some how pulled a bird through his pens cage, although I got it away from him so he couldn't eat it, the bird died in my hands and I bawled. My BF thinks I'm so silly for it. So I of course I want to do the right and best thing for the kitty and her babies. I do know if I would have done nothing, the babies probably would have not lived, so I don't regret it.

[opus88]

it is very important you wash your hands very well after handling the momma cat and the kittens and after cleaning their litter box, so you won't contaminate your other cats...forgot to mention that.

I read abt Sentry and it says, it says it is common for kittens to be born with this when passed on from their mothers, but its not advisable to give to young kittens....also a sign of large roundworms is diarrhea, so it can be the worms or the meds
I don't know what to tell you, a GOOD VET should be helping here!!! but I do think its probably important that since she has had the first dose than you probably need to go ahead with the second dose, despite the diarrhea...b/c she needs to be rid of that parasite.
What do you others think?????

when the kittens are older they will all need to be done.

http://vetlabel.com/lib/vet/meds/sentry-worm-away/

will reply later...post again so I know you've read ok....♥

[opus88]

first of all bless your caring heart for taking this new momma nd her babies in....thats awesome.
Man a Vet like this one gives them all a bad name....urrrr he makes me angry for not helping you and them out more.

first of all, If your other cats weren't in contact with her and they do NOT use the same litter box than NO I wouldn't give them the worm medication they will be fine

the diarrhea could be b/c of all the worm medication/introduction to new food/or even the yogurt

I can't tell you what to give, I would have to do some research on that and I need to be away for part or most of today, so that will need to come later.
I suggest you stop the yogurt...many cats can't digest any dairy and it will cause diarrhea
give her dry food and water only, or if you can just some boiled chicken (only) for a few days until her system settles.

I will get back to you asap. meanwhile hang in there you are doing such an awesome job!!!!