I've checked loads of forums and other sites without finding any real solutions, so I'm posting my problem here!
A few days ago, I took in a kitten who's about a month old according to the vet. He's full of beans, eating really well, exploring a lot, and has started grooming himself and teething. He's also got a very (perhaps too?) loud pair of lungs on him!
The slight issue is that since he arrived (it's been 3 days now), there've been no bowel movements... he hadn't even urinated until last night. He doesn't seem to show any signs of a bowel obstruction, so I'm not overly worried yet, but I'd feel much better if this little fluffball was going to the toilet properly...
If anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it!
Translated from French
The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.
Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.
Hi everyone,
About two weeks ago, my parents took in a litter of five kittens who are less than a month old. We’ve been feeding them every three hours with kitten milk. For the last two days or so, the kittens have been having trouble pooing. They have no problems peeing, but they are definitely struggling to go to the toilet.
We called a really good vet with over 20 years’ experience, and he told us to take a thermometer, put the tip into the anus, and gently move it back and forth. He said if that doesn't work, we should mix some soap and water and use a pipette to put a little bit in, then massage the kitten's tummy. We’ve done this and all the kittens (except one) are now managing to poo.
We are also stimulating them with a warm flannel, and when we bottle-feed them, we pop the milk in the microwave so it’s lukewarm (making sure it’s not too hot so they don't burn their tongues). The vet also told us that if you don't do anything, the kitten will die!
As I mentioned, there’s one little kitten nicknamed Tarzan who still hasn’t pooed despite everything we’ve tried, so if you have any other tips or advice, I’m all ears. I just wanted to share the advice we were given. I’ll say it again: it was a vet with over 20 years’ experience, who is now retired, who told us to do this.
After three days, you don't usually see symptoms of a bowel obstruction; it’s usually more like six days. But after three days, you really need to start doing something! For an adult cat, I give Laxatone or liquid paraffin, and after five or six days, I use infant Microlax.
However, since your kitten is only a month old, you need to call your vet right away or book an emergency appointment.
Three days is a long time; if you can't get them to do their business, you've got to take them to the vet. Ours was given a laxative and it cleared the blockage straight away. Honestly, don't wait until tomorrow. If you're not having any luck with the tips we've suggested, call the vet today.
Hi,
What was he eating before he came to you, and what are you feeding him now? One-month-old kittens should still be on mother's milk.
Also, do you know if the little guy was litter trained before (at the vet's)? In the first few weeks, it's not unusual for newborns to be unable to poo by themselves, so you have to massage their tummy and the anal area to stimulate the sphincter and help them go.
Otherwise, you'll need to teach him how to use it bit by bit. To do this, place him in his litter tray and show him the movements to make with his paw. You can put him in the tray as soon as he's finished eating, for example, repeating the same motions. He should get the hang of it very quickly :)
