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New kitten has diarrhea
Around 11:30 Thursday night, I heard a cat meowing loudly, almost frantically outside. Went outside and found a kitten in my driveway. After 2 hours, I finally caught her and have her blocked off in my computer room away from my other cats.
This kitten other than being very thin, seems to be very healthy and happy. No sneezing, no runny eyes, no bloated tummy. She's very sweet and affectionate and is my shadow. However, she's not playful at all and doesnt seem interested in venturing off anywhere. She's not skittish or timid anymore either. She's completely at ease around me, and pretty much anyone at this point. I'm not used to having a kitten who's so low-key and well behaved. I'm not sure if this will be her usual temperament or if she's lethargic b/c of possible dehydration.
Anyway, she's litter trained and her stools were completely normal up until saturday. I'm guessing she's never had actual cat food and I know how sensitive kittens stomachs are. She has had constant diarrhea since then. I even hear her stomach gurgling right before she goes to the bathroom. I already lost count of how many times she's gone to the bathroom over the last 24 hours. She still has a major appetite and drinks quite a bit too, but I cannot figure out what to do about this diarrhea.
If she isnt better by tomorrow, I guess I'm going to have to make another trip back to the vet just to see if she at least needs fluids. I really think this is a dietary issue and not a parasite (although I wouldnt know for sure) but the food just doest seem to be sitting right. I was feeding her nutro max wet kitten food but also just tried to incorporate a little science diet kitten into the mix too to try to wean her off the Nutro. I didnt want to switch brands so quickly as I know that upsets their stomachs too, but she hasnt been adjusting to the Nutro. Even though I know it takes time for cats to adjust to new foods, I don't want her having to deal with diarrhea for so long because I know that's dangerous.
Is it safe to give kittens rice to help bind them? Should I be feeding her a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice until her stool goes back to normal? If so, how much? She's maybe between 2-3 months old I would say.
This kitten other than being very thin, seems to be very healthy and happy. No sneezing, no runny eyes, no bloated tummy. She's very sweet and affectionate and is my shadow. However, she's not playful at all and doesnt seem interested in venturing off anywhere. She's not skittish or timid anymore either. She's completely at ease around me, and pretty much anyone at this point. I'm not used to having a kitten who's so low-key and well behaved. I'm not sure if this will be her usual temperament or if she's lethargic b/c of possible dehydration.
Anyway, she's litter trained and her stools were completely normal up until saturday. I'm guessing she's never had actual cat food and I know how sensitive kittens stomachs are. She has had constant diarrhea since then. I even hear her stomach gurgling right before she goes to the bathroom. I already lost count of how many times she's gone to the bathroom over the last 24 hours. She still has a major appetite and drinks quite a bit too, but I cannot figure out what to do about this diarrhea.
If she isnt better by tomorrow, I guess I'm going to have to make another trip back to the vet just to see if she at least needs fluids. I really think this is a dietary issue and not a parasite (although I wouldnt know for sure) but the food just doest seem to be sitting right. I was feeding her nutro max wet kitten food but also just tried to incorporate a little science diet kitten into the mix too to try to wean her off the Nutro. I didnt want to switch brands so quickly as I know that upsets their stomachs too, but she hasnt been adjusting to the Nutro. Even though I know it takes time for cats to adjust to new foods, I don't want her having to deal with diarrhea for so long because I know that's dangerous.
Is it safe to give kittens rice to help bind them? Should I be feeding her a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice until her stool goes back to normal? If so, how much? She's maybe between 2-3 months old I would say.
Thanks for letting us all know the results from the Vet visit. Sounds as though the kitten will be as right as rain in not time at all. They are very strong resilient little characters - and thats just ONE of the things that always amaze me about them. I have three cats now, having lost my little grey boy just a month ago, very suddenly. I found visiting this Forum to be the best thing I've done in years. Without my regular visits and the friends I've found, I don't think I'd have been able to cope with my loss.
I'm truly glad that your kitten is in good hands now that she has found you, and you have a good Vet to handle any health issues. Thanks for the update. Hope to hear that the rest of the Tests are all normal. Take care..... DiamondFox
I'm truly glad that your kitten is in good hands now that she has found you, and you have a good Vet to handle any health issues. Thanks for the update. Hope to hear that the rest of the Tests are all normal. Take care..... DiamondFox
oh thx you for the update....so many post a question than we never hear back about how the little one is doing, its so nice to hear some results.
That is very good news abt kitty, at least whatever is causing her small size is very treatable, frankly I kinda surprised the Vet took him off the kitten food, yes its very high fat/protein but when she is so under weight isn't that what she needs???
Please stay with us and keep us updated we like to hear about new babies on the site and all new comers are soooo welcome, take care!!
That is very good news abt kitty, at least whatever is causing her small size is very treatable, frankly I kinda surprised the Vet took him off the kitten food, yes its very high fat/protein but when she is so under weight isn't that what she needs???
Please stay with us and keep us updated we like to hear about new babies on the site and all new comers are soooo welcome, take care!!
Thanks so much to those of you who replied!
Just a little update on the kitten. I brought her to the vet this afternoon and luckily she tested negative for FIV/Felv. The only obvious thing that was wrong with her is the fact that she's so thin. She's about 4-5 months old and is only 2 lbs! She was dewormed and I did bring in a stool sample so tomorrow they should have the results back and I'll know what kinds of parasites if any are making her feel a little under the weather.
The vet said she wasnt dehydrated and luckily the kitten has a really healthy appetite and drinks a lot too. I also had started giving her some unflavored pedialyte just to make sure she wasnt getting dehydrated. She still has diarrhea so the vet told me first and foremost to stop feeding her kitten food altogether. She described it as being the same as eating fettucine alfredo every meal of the day because of it's high fat/protein content. For now she's being fed a higher fiber wet food so I have to mix that in with the chicken and rice I've been giving her.
So, so far so good, I just hope the rest of her test results come back fine too and if there are any problems, hopefuly they'll be easily treated!
Just a little update on the kitten. I brought her to the vet this afternoon and luckily she tested negative for FIV/Felv. The only obvious thing that was wrong with her is the fact that she's so thin. She's about 4-5 months old and is only 2 lbs! She was dewormed and I did bring in a stool sample so tomorrow they should have the results back and I'll know what kinds of parasites if any are making her feel a little under the weather.
The vet said she wasnt dehydrated and luckily the kitten has a really healthy appetite and drinks a lot too. I also had started giving her some unflavored pedialyte just to make sure she wasnt getting dehydrated. She still has diarrhea so the vet told me first and foremost to stop feeding her kitten food altogether. She described it as being the same as eating fettucine alfredo every meal of the day because of it's high fat/protein content. For now she's being fed a higher fiber wet food so I have to mix that in with the chicken and rice I've been giving her.
So, so far so good, I just hope the rest of her test results come back fine too and if there are any problems, hopefuly they'll be easily treated!
Hi. Thank goodness for kind and caring people like you in this world. So so kind of you to take this tiny kitten into your home. I hope all goes well for the both of you. I must agree with both Opus & Maddie - I think another trip to the Vet - just to check that her progress is as it should be, and if theres anything more that either you or they could do to speed it along for her. Bless you for taking her in. Please keep us informed of her progress. Best wishes Diamondfox
yes good for you taking this poor little soul into your home!!!
A visit to a Vet is a good place to start, in the meanwhile, a chicken/boiled rice maybe worth a try? than again its another introduction of yet another diet...I would see a Vet.
let us know how kitty is doing ok
A visit to a Vet is a good place to start, in the meanwhile, a chicken/boiled rice maybe worth a try? than again its another introduction of yet another diet...I would see a Vet.
let us know how kitty is doing ok
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