Ktten with diarrhoea

[sandy exley]

Thanks for your guidance.  I have been looking at web sites about kitten feeding and most say  about 4 - 5 small meals a day.  They chew fine.  Kitten milk and kitten powdered milk the vet gave me seems to make their stools very yellow and runny so I think that may be the problem.  I have actually tried some junior kit e kat in pouches yesterday which I mash and they love it.  Seems to be doing the trick although they are still a bit lose.  Not really sure what the texture of the stools should be but theirs are  slightly yellow and toothpaste consistancy. 

[Millys Mum]

If they were with mum they would still be having regular feeds with nibbling on solids. If they are consuming too much at once that itself can upset stomachs 
At 4 weeks i would be giving mainly milk/milky meatshake and chicken if they are wanting to chew stuff, 6 times a day.

Hopefully its just a blip if they are still active and bright

[Gillian Harvey]

I have been giving them 2 small meals a day of finely minced cooked chicken and 2 small meals of dried cat food which has been soaked in water and mashed.  They have had no problem with their eating and are always hungry.  Any suggestions what I could try?  These are orphaned kittens by the way. 

Can you get tinned kitten food? I notice you are soaking and mashing the dry food, which isnt really a good idea, dry food isnt designed to be soaked and I think its that that might be causing the problems. Also dry food contains cereals/grains that many cats are intolerant to. I would try a few days of the cooked minced chicken only and then slowly introduce a wet kitten food, preferably one that doesnt have cereals/grains in. I realise they are only 4 weeks old and need a complete kitten/cat food, but a few days of just the plain chicken should be fine.

[sandy exley]

I thought the 4 small meals a day each would be adequate.  They are eating well. I have got some kitten milk and some pet milk (which is powdered) from the vet.  My problem is that maybe its the chicken giving them diarrhoea?  Thought it may be the milk so stopped that but they have still got it.  very active though and not lethargic or showing signs of distress, just this blasted diarrhoea. One has been wormed, the other was too sick last week to do it but was due to go when the vets open again.  Fluids are no problem, they are drinking water and their intake is good.  Thanks for everyones suggestions and help.

[Millys Mum]

I would be feeding them more meals at that age and also using a replacement milk such as cimicat or KMR, not sure what brands you have over there but the vet must stock something similar.

Have they been wormed?

If you cant get any vet care until monday then keeping up with fluids is vital.

[sandy exley]

Unfortuately, here in Cyprus, all the vets, government departments, dentists etc are shut this week.  It's madness, they do it every year.  Even some of the shops and restaurants shut.  Height of the tourist season too!  Hopefully there will be a vet open Monday if the little soul doesnt get worse.  apart from making sure he has loads of fluids am I ok to continue with the chicken and dried food.  they certainly havent lost thier appetite!

[Ela]

To be honest I think you need to discuss this with your vet, we can perhaps give advice but only the vet will know if there are any underlying problems that needs other treatment.

I assume you have taken the little one to the vet as well.

[sandy exley]

Hi

I had to take one of the 4 week old kittens to the vet last week with diarrhoea.  Thankfully after an injection and 2 days of re-hydration fluid she was well again.  However, her little brother has it now.  I cannot think what is causing it.  I have been giving them 2 small meals a day of finely minced cooked chicken and 2 small meals of dried cat food which has been soaked in water and mashed.  They have had no problem with their eating and are always hungry.  Any suggestions what I could try?  These are orphaned kittens by the way.