Kitten with a bloated tummy

O
Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
Report

Hi everyone,

Yesterday morning, while out on a Sunday walk with my husband, we found a tiny little kitten crying by the side of a path.

After catching it, we brought it home. I gave it a wash in the sink (its paws were filthy) and noticed it has fleas and its tummy is bloated.

I've kept it in the bathroom (since I have other cats and didn't want them getting fleas) tucked up warm in a little box.

It wouldn't eat anything all day, so I called the out-of-hours vet and managed to take it in last night.

The vet examined it, weighed it, and checked its temperature and blood sugar. She then managed to get it to eat a bit of that 'a/d' wet food or something similar.

Weight-wise: it's about 1.5 lbs (704g), estimated age: 6 weeks, temperature and blood sugar were both fine.

She gave me some worming treatment, which I gave it last night around 7 pm after getting back from the vet's.

I offered it some more wet food which it ate; it even went back to the bowl for more on its own. It's used the litter tray for a wee twice, once yesterday and once this morning.

However, no poo yet (so this morning I put a bit of liquid paraffin in its wet food – one of my other cats gets constipated, so I use it sometimes), and this morning its little belly is still swollen. I was searching online during the night and saw that FIP can also cause a bloated tummy. The vet told me its general condition was good and that it's probably just worms, but I'm panicking now I've seen the info about FIP...

How long do you think it takes for the wormer to work? And for the swelling to go down?

Thanks for your help.

Translated from French
icon info

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.

Write your message and upload a photo if you want to! Please remain courteous in your exchanges.

Your post will be visible to all members of the international Wamiz forum.

67 answers
Sort by:
  • Show previous comments
    • O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Hi!

    Yes, I’m so pleased he’s settling in so well, he’s absolutely hilarious...

    My big lad gave him a bit of a cuffing this morning because he ran up to him and swiped at his back leg. So he got a bit of a telling-off, but what’s funny is that my big boy doesn’t use his claws, he literally just baps him.

    Ouistiti ended up on his back, all four paws in the air, and didn't dare move; then he scrambled off doing the 'crab walk'.

    He’s been with us 24/7 since last night, except for mealtimes because he’s a right little nightmare then!

    Oh, and he’s not scared of the Kickeroo at all anymore – it’s officially become his arch-nemesis for life

    😁

    Translated from French
    G
    Greylox Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Hello, Great news! One cat to teach him some manners and another for him to... terrorise. Ouistiti I will soon be ruling the roost :D C&CàP has replied regarding the food, so I’ll answer about his behaviour. Let him blow off steam and run wild; he’ll eventually fall asleep in some bizarre spot and position. It can only be good for his spirits and development. You thought you had a little terror? This is just the start ^^. Just make sure he doesn’t try to chew on any electrical cables or go exploring 'impossible' places (behind the kitchen units, under the sofa...)
    Translated from French
    O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Hi there,

    Okay, I’m going to be a bit more careful with the dry food portions—not too much and not too little—and just top it up during the day. He ate well this morning and isn’t crying anymore! Well, except for when he messes something up (like a jump).

    I’ll go easy on the wet food at lunchtime since he’s already had a good feed this morning.

    Thanks ;)

    Have a good day too!

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Hello,

    Just a quick point

    Regarding wet food portions per meal, don't give him more than he can finish in a few minutes. Ideally, you should give him just a fraction less than he would normally wolf down so that he's full but hasn't overeaten. This is to stop him from going off his food over time.

    Don't hesitate to vary the flavours or even the brands to prevent him from becoming a fussy eater.

    Above all, don't leave any leftover wet food sitting out to dry up (keep everything in the fridge for the next meal).

    When it comes to free-feeding dry food, it’s much the same; avoid putting out a whole bowl to last him the week. It’s better to top it up daily, which also allows you to keep an eye on how much he’s eating. It’s also worth washing the bowl regularly, as the oils from the dry food can settle and go rancid.

    Have a good day

    Translated from French
    O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Hi, Thanks, I’ll leave the dry food out for him to graze on tomorrow. My poor little soul is always hungry as a result, if only I’d known :( Regarding dry food: I feed them Purizon as my oldest cat can only tolerate grain-free; he used to be sick all the time before. Regarding wet food: Almo Daily chicken mousse. They all handle it well, including Ouistiti. Thanks again, I really didn’t know what to do (was it too much or not enough??)
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Hi there, For a kitten, food should be available all the time; it depends on their age but also, and quite significantly, on their activity levels. Personally, I’m more of a wet food fan than a dry food one, and I prefer grain-free for all sorts of reasons to do with the ingredients, digestibility, and hydration. Everyone has to work around their own budget, other cats, and so on... anyway, at the very least, offer him at least two wet food meals a day, or more if he’s keen, and leave dry food out for him to graze on whenever he likes. Bit by bit, he’ll learn to wait for his wet food time (it’s just too tasty!). Kind regards
    Translated from French
    O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Oh, and I forgot to mention – behaviour-wise, having him out with us made him really hyper; he just couldn't settle down and get some sleep. He jumps up on the sofa with us, purrs, meows, goes a bit mad, crawls into my dressing gown, and just keeps moving and moving without being able to rest. So, I decided to put him back in the bathroom last night so he could get some peace and quiet. He cried for two minutes and then not a peep – he must have just crashed! I think all these new experiences and things to discover really wore him out. Did I do the right thing? Maybe it would be better to let him out for gradually longer spells, like 2 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon, so it’s not too much excitement all at once? It’s not easy knowing what to do for the best with such a young kitten. I’ve never had one this tiny or one that wasn't properly weaned, so I just want to do what's right for him and for us.
    Translated from French
    O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Hi everyone!

    Just a quick update on Ouistiti and how he’s settling in ;)

    After doing everything by the book (room swapping, scent swapping with toys and cardboard houses), Ouistiti finally met my oldest cat, the boss of the house. My big lad sniffed him without any aggression, while Ouistiti did the whole "crab" walk with his ears back. Then he started getting a bit braver and tried to have a swipe at him, so my oldest gave him a little clout and a growl, as if to say, "listen here, you little sod, you're not going to push your luck for long" :)

    Things are fine with my big guy; he mostly ignores him and Ouistiti isn't too scared.

    Then my other cat was introduced. He’s a real softie and stays close to Ouistiti just watching him; he backs off if Ouistiti gets too close and then creeps back when he moves away. Ouistiti did the crab thing again at first, but he’s okay now. I’m a bit more unsure about this one because he’s just too nice... and Ouistiti is a total whirlwind :)

    Overall, it’s going well so far. I expected worse, but my cats have clearly realised he’s just a baby and they’re being patient and quite tolerant, though I think my big lad will be the one to put him in his place when needed :)))

    I had a question regarding food—he is ALWAYS hungry, he’s like a walking T-Rex. I give him several small meals a day (between 4 and 5) of either softened dry food or wet food (1 to 2 tsp). But I feel like it’s not enough because he really screams for food. Earlier, I gave him way more (triple the usual amount) and the shouting stopped for about an hour and a half, but then he realised the big cats' dry food was on the table (out of reach) and started howling for it again (I didn't give in that time).

    How many grams of dry and wet food can I give him per day?

    I’m worried I’m either overfeeding him or not giving him enough! This little T-Rex is constantly begging :)

    Thanks for your help, I’m a bit lost with the feeding side of things at the moment.

    Translated from French
    O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Yeah, no worries :)
    Translated from French
    G
    Greylox Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    In any case, I can see he’s in good hands and thank you for getting another one off the streets :)

    Keep us posted!

    Translated from French

  • 30 comments out of 67

    See more
    • Do you have a question? An experience to share? Create a post on our forum!
    These topics could be of interest to you!
    Find out more