Update on foster kittens

[ginnyinWI]

I have two black female kittens who are now 10 weeks old. One has had diarrhea, and I posted about this a week or so ago. We were going to see what a fecal sample showed.

The sample showed no parasites. They said Giardia might not show up, though, so gave me some liquid for that. I've been giving it for five days and she still has diarrhea, although not bloody any more. The other one doesn't have it, but we are treating them both.

So what next? I'm thinking of trying adding some pureed rice to their food for a few days--some say that helps. Probiotics (Fortiflora) and canned pumpkin have not made any difference.

Both would big enough and ready for their surgery and adoption if not for this one having diarrhea.

[njlib]

1. Food grade diatomaceous earth

Not sure how much you'd give to such a tiny kitty, but it worked wonders on my dogs. I adopted them from Brooklyn ACC and after a couple of weeks, Diesel pooped out a HUGE pile of worms, along with some very watery stool. It only took a couple of teaspoons, sprinkled in his food, to get rid of them. I gave some to Bruno, even though he never had any problems, just in case. Haven't had any issues since. Apparently, it works wonders on all kinds of parasites...so maybe it'll help with something that can't be detected.

Good luck!

[Curmudgeoness]

2. When I adopted my cat,

he had runny stool. I tried everything, and just like you, I went to the vet and we went through everything. I had even tried children's Imodium AD liquid, which has always worked for my other cats when they had diarrhea. It didn't put a dent in it. After a month with no change, I was at my wit's end, and decided to do what I do for myself----I fed him yogurt. I started by smearing about a teaspoon on his paws and legs to force him to ingest it. After that, he wanted it without force and ate it off the spoon. I did this every day, and by day 3, the stool was getting firmer. After a week, I stopped because it did not seem needed.

I know this is unconventional, and I don't know that it would work for you, especially since probiotics have not helped. My vet even told me it was probably not a good idea, since so many cats have allergies to milk and milk products, but he couldn't argue with the results. At this point, it couldn't hurt.

[ginnyinWI]

5. I have been thinking of yogurt myself.

I did try it a few weeks ago--for a meal or two. But I'm going to try again. I'm going now with the assumption that her system is all irritated from parasites and just needs some help recovering. As you say, can't hurt. I am giving probiotics, but maybe the yogurt has a better variety of them--they are wet, not powdered in an envelope, too.

[KC]

3. My vet

uses this and I've just tried it for my dog
and it works great. It has dosage for
puppies and kittens too. I bought
the liquid suspension $11.00 on amazon.
Tablets much more expensive and of
course they wouldn't work for kittens. Here is the info on it. Order from Amazon.com

http://www.drugs.com/vet/endosorb-suspension.html
You can double check with your
vet .

[Voice for Peace]

4. just saw this product which is also available for cats

"no more runny poo" is how they promote it... I don't know if it might help?
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Only-Natural-Pet-GI-Support/999044.aspx?click=77119&utm_source=eps&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=epm-090913-wkly-w2-gisupport-p

It looks like a very good product and I have had good experience
buying food and other items from this website for my 3 cats.

Why your pet needs Only Natural Pet GI Support
Occasional digestive upsets usually are not a major cause for concern – it’s a rare dog or cat that has never had an episode of vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or indigestion. But if problems like these are more common with your pet, there’s a good chance that their digestive system is impaired and could use some help.
Only Natural Pet GI Support delivers advanced gastrointestinal support to dogs and cats, aiding digestion with a unique combination of probiotics, vitamins, herbs, health-building co-factors and enzymes. This best selling formula is ideal for animals suffering from chronic or recurrent poor digestion, food allergies, or irritable bowel issues.

[ginnyinWI]

6. they will be going back tomorrow

The diarrhea is better--no mucus or blood anymore, which means there was something, some parasite, which is now gone. The remaining loose stools, they think, is just a "kitten thing" due to her having so many rounds of anti-parasitic liquids (four) and her system probably just needs to settle down. The other one is fine with formed stools so there are no more parasites. "Graduation Day" tomorrow!

[Curmudgeoness]

7. OMG, they are so sweet!

I hope that everything is fine and they live long, happy and healthy lives.

[ginnyinWI]

8. now you've gotten me started

with your enjoyment of that picture. That was taken when they were about six weeks. Here are a few more from when they were nine-ten weeks old:

[Curmudgeoness]

9. You get the cutest pictures with sweet poses!

I don't usually have so much luck.

Maybe me baby just isn't cute enough. Or maybe he is always doing cute things when he is on the move and I get his back side.

[ginnyinWI]

10. I'll let you in on my secret--

--practice.

Since last October I've been taking pictures of cats at the no-kill shelter where I volunteer. Every Wednesday I take maybe a dozen pictures of each of between 6 and 15 cats, then come home and crop, edit, and upload to their website, as well as to petfinder.com, a national database. So--I have a bit of experience photographing cats and kittens.

[Curmudgeoness]

12. Well, bless your heart.

That is a very nice thing to do, and something that is really needed to get adoptions.

And how are your kitties now?

[ginnyinWI]

13. back at the shelter.

Probably had their spay surgery today and if so, will be on the adoption floor by the weekend. This is the shelter's cat page if you are interested in looking for them: http://www.ebhs.org/cats.htm.

Their names are Sharpie and Auggie--no idea why--I didn't name them! They could be on the floor as early as tomorrow, but we'll see.

Hm that link doesn't work as posted here. Go to the link in my sig line, then to the drop down menu under "Adopt" and select "Cats".

[ginnyinWI]

11. Some things I've learned about kitten diarrhea--

--which might help others. It will certainly help me if I get a situation like this again.

Blood and mucus in the stool indicate parasites. Treat for that asap.

If not, and it is only loose, try feeding less wet food temporarily, and don't mix extra water into it--you don't want to overwhelm their tummies with a big load of liquid. Free feed dry food instead. Feed maybe as little as a half can wet food per day, until things improve. And of course have fresh water available.

Probiotics are good to add for a while at least, to make sure they have good bacteria. I wouldn't add pumpkin or other fiber because it didn't help. I don't think a mother cat would be bringing home a pumpkin for her kittens to eat!

edited to add: this advice would be for kittens at least six weeks old. Younger than that age can't eat dry food.