another foster kitten question...

[sadinred]

Hi everyone. The babies have been on solid food for a couple of weeks now, and I am sleeping the night through again thanks to you. Thank you!

I have a problem though: One kitten hasn't pooped since last night. She is in obvious discomfort and I can feel her bowel (I think) protruding along the side of her tummy. The Humane Society said not to worry just give her canned pumpkin which I have done twice in the last 5 hours (about 15 ccs each time). I am worried though, she's had digestive problems all along and has a huge stomach and tiny body. (My vet thinks she has developmental problems and that there's not much that can be done for her, she just has to come around on her own.) She's received two de worming meds and is due for the last in two weeks so I doubt the tummy is just worms. The Humane Soc has been very nonchalant about the kittens and I don't trust them to go out of their way to help them, and I have put my vet into a corner already too many times with Foster Emergencies. Am I just being too nervous about this? How long can a kitten go without a bowel movement? SHe tries so hard and gasps for breath and makes little sounds but only gas passes. She's been lethargic all day. SHould I push the issue and force the Humane Society to see her or should I give her more time?

Thank you for your help.

[Lorien]

1. I'd get her in to see someone right away

there could be something else going on (like a bowel obstruction). Lethargy is never a good sign.

Let us know what happens!

:hug:

[sadinred]

2. thanks Lorien

I'm waiting for my vet to call back. She has been a saint, I hate to bother her.

It is so hard when these little guys have problems. I feel like a nervous mom, but

Oh, vet just called. She wants us there NOW. I'll be back.

Thanks again!

[superconnected]

3. Good! I sure the vet can help.

Good move calling and taking her to the vet.

[sadinred]

6. the vet tech removed a small clay-like poop from her rectum (?)

and she's home now but in the same condition as before. Maybe she is filled with the clay stuff?

I'm going to give her more time I guess. And I think I'll mix pumpkin into the food for both of them! (I realize he hasn't pooped either, though he seems comfortable.)

There should be an smiley for :thankyou:

[virgdem]

9. What kind of litter are you using...

I have read that using the clumping litter can be a problem and can cause blockages in kittens especially. If you do use the clumping clay litter, please consider changing to another type of litter. Good luck with the little guy. I hope that he does well from here on out.

[sadinred]

10. just reg unscented littler. Not clumping. n/t

[ET Awful]

4. How old is the kitten?

On edit: Okay, ignore me, get thee hence to that vet and keep us updated.




Have you tried stimulating a bowel movement by using a very soft moistened cloth and rubbing her . . . hind-end (to be polite)?

With very young kittens, this will often-times stimulate them to go.

[sadinred]

5. Hi. Kittens are 8 weeks old.

They've been stimulation free for a while.

The vet "uncorked" her but now that she's home she seems exactly the same as before. No poops! Granted it's only been about 5 minutes. I realized while at the vet that the other kitten hasn't pooped today either, but he doesn't have any discomfort. They had a de worming medicine yesterday, maybe that caused it? Last time it gave them both diarrhea.


????????????????????kittens!!??????????????????

[IndyOp]

7. Increase liquid intake, give laxative/hairball remedy or Nutri-Cal...

If kitty hasn't had a big poop by tomorrow morning I'd get her back to vet in the early morning. In the meantime you might try increasing liquid intake or Laxatone or Nutri-Cal:

Constipation is cured by getting lots and lots of liquids into them -- the water passes through the intestines into the bowel and softens things up in there. Cats get the majority of their water from their food (rather than drinking). Maybe pure pumpkin puree with water added?

A hairball laxative might help - you can buy Laxatone, Felaxin, Kat-A-Lax, Lax'aire at many pet stores.

Petroleum-based laxatives and hairball remedies coat the swallowed hair and the stool and allow it to pass through the digestive system. Use these products under the direction of a veterinarian since frequent, long-term use could result in vitamin deficiencies. Do NOT force feed, since the petrolatum could be aspirated into the lungs and cause serious effects.

Laxatone at PetSmart
<http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778361&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025585&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181062&bmUID=1109680807844>


Nutri-Cal seems to have similar ingredients - but with high vitamins and calories for pets who need a supplement:<http://www.millpledge.com/preparations/nutrical.htm>

Nutri-Cal at Petsmart
<http://shop.petsmart.com/product/2534374302023690/2534374302035923/845524441810353.htm>


On Edit: You are a great foster mom! Thanks!

[sadinred]

8. lot's of info. thank you! n/t

[IndyOp]

11. Hello - How are kitties? Post an update & pics when you can...

[sadinred]

12. I was just about to update when I found your post. Very sad...

she died today. I brought her to the Humane Society yesterday morning (my vet couldn't fit her in) and they attempted exploratory surgery this evening. She had a severely impacted colon and she died as they operated. She was too small and too weak for surgery but she was not pooping or eating and would have died if left alone. I was able to spend most of the day with her at the shelter. Last night I decided to adopt her and I chose the name "Gita"...I told her today, I hope she understood.

My vet had actually told about two weeks ago that she wouldn't live long. SHe told me that the kitten had "developmental problems". I wanted her to live as well as she could though, and she was happy and playing and cuddling up until Friday morning. She was happy for most of her brief 8 weeks. I did love her. I think she believed I was her mom.

Her brother misses her I am sure. However he's now allowed to roam the entire house (almost) and is usually either playing hard or sleeping hard. I can't leave him alone without his sister. He and my younger cat get along very well. My older cat hasn't taken to the kitten idea at all and hasn't slept in our bed for about a week. Not in many many years has he not slept beside me sharing my pillow. I miss him a lot. But for now (at least) the kitten needs to be part of this family.

Thank you for asking. I was going to post, as I wrote, and it was nice to find your inquiry. Sorry if photos are giant.

[IndyOp]

13. Damn! I am sorry. Life is fragile and precious.

Thank you for loving her.

It kind of helps to know that your vet thought she wouldn't live long. Infancy is a critical period and if they arrive with weaknesses they are so vulnerable.

O8)

[Patiod]

14. dear little thing was well-taken-care-of during her time

that's the best you can do.

Sorry to hear about this. Hope her brother stays healthy and happy.

It's funny to see how miserable kittens can make older cats sometimes.

[demnan]

15. I'm so sorry!

You were very kind to her and did all you could, I'm sure. I know you made her brief life comfortable.

Hope your older cat "forgives" you soon. Spend some time with him today. You need his comfort now.

[ET Awful]

16. RIP little Gita.

Poor little girl.

You did good for her though. Thanks for being there for her. :hug:

[sadinred]

17. Thank you everyone. n/t