Kitten with a bloated tummy

O
Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
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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
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    • O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
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    Yes, some settle in much faster than others :) I've seen kittens arrive and act like they own the place straight away :)) the opportunistic type

    And with my youngest, it took me four and a half years before I could even give him a cuddle! He's a real scaredy-cat but so lovely

    lol I know what you mean about the neighbours! My cats go tearing around upstairs (old house, creaky floorboards) at all hours...

    I reckon Ouistiti is going to be a confident lad once he's settled, but he needs a bit of reassurance to start with. I think he’s going to be a right little terror :) I’ve been watching him since Sunday and I keep telling my husband that we’re all (us and the other cats) in for it lol. This one is going to keep us on our toes!

    I’ve never fallen for a cat so quickly, but honestly, he’s really special! He wasn't planned (just like the others) but I’m so glad our paths crossed

    Translated from French
    G
    Greylox Icon representing the flag French
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    That’s the main thing our new fur babies taught us; they were very timid when they first arrived and are still a bit skittish three and a half years later: you’ve just got to take your time, don’t lose heart, anticipate what you can, and do your best :) It’s a funny name, Ouistiti; that’s actually what I call our boy when he wakes me up in the morning for his breakfast (I’m a morning person, my other half is a night owl ^^): he makes proper little monkey noises. Our new downstairs neighbours must be absolutely loving it 😁 Edit: oh, and make sure to provide some high-up hiding spots for your oldest cat. He’ll be grateful to have somewhere to retreat to once Ouistiti starts making himself at home and pestering the two older ones when he’s in the mood to play (it might not happen straight away, but there’s a good chance it will in the coming months ;) )
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    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
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    I’ll do that, you’re right; it’ll be less of a shock for him. He’s the ‘curious but cautious’ type... so to avoid too much stress, that’s definitely the best way forward. On Saturday, I’ll start off slowly, even if it means swapping their rooms for a couple of hours in the evening and letting the little one sleep in the bathroom overnight. Sunday morning, I’ll do the same again for an hour, and then I’ll put the carrier in the middle of the living room. Between that and the Felifriend, I think we’ll be alright. My oldest cat is very clingy with me and tolerates the younger one but only from a distance, whereas the younger one is playful and friendly. Ouistiti will be neutered soon, around 7 months old, I reckon. He’s been treated for fleas with Effipro, and the big cats had a tablet (I can’t remember the name, it’s the first time I’ve used it; I wanted to avoid spot-on treatments in case there was any left on their fur and Ouistiti licked it). There are still a few fleas on Ouistiti—I’ve been playing hide and seek with them since this morning while dodging paws and teeth, grrrr!
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    G
    Greylox Icon representing the flag French
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    Good idea about the little house. Try to find an item that has the kitten's scent on it so your adults can get used to his smell too.

    The fact they’re separated at the moment isn’t a bad thing at all, as it’s actually best practice when introducing cats. The best method is to "swap" them twice a day so each cat can explore the other’s space and scents.

    Actually, come to think of it, that would be the best way forward. Just put the adults in the bathroom while the little one explores your home, because his territory is only his current room; outside of that, he’ll feel like he’s in "enemy territory". He might not be bothered at all, but there’s a chance he could panic a bit, so that on top of meeting two new cats might be a bit much for him to take in all at once.

    So, the idea would be to shut the adults away for an hour or two while you let the kitten discover the house, room by room. If he seems relaxed, put him back in his room, let the adults out to do their own thing for an hour or so, and then do the introduction. If he panics, though, you’ll need to take a bit more time getting him used to the house before he meets the big cats.

    For the introduction itself, one option is to put the little one in a carrier and place it on the floor so they can all get to know each other safely. If all goes well, you can open the door. I don't think the fact they’re all males is an issue; in my family, we’ve had up to six males living together without any problems (mind you, with the three females... it was a bit more tricky!), as long as the adults are neutered.

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    O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks Greylox for all the advice. I'm going to get some Felifriend spray then. And I'll start putting their food bowls on either side of the door tonight – that's a great idea. My husband also suggested putting my other cats' little cardboard house and scratching post in the bathroom for him as well. As for the others, they're really intrigued by the little cries coming from the bathroom at the moment (they keep listening at the door whenever the little one starts crying). Fingers crossed it all goes okay since they're all boys... (my other two are rescues as well lol, I definitely seem to be a magnet for toms!) Still, we'll have to make it work – he's part of the family now.
    Translated from French
    G
    Greylox Icon representing the flag French
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    Honestly, I didn’t see much of an effect with the Feliway diffuser, but every cat is different so it’s definitely worth a go. Using the spray on the corners of the furniture seemed more effective to me, though, even if the effect was only temporary.

    Your best bet would be to buy some Felifriend spray: you have to put some on your hands (I’m warning you now, it stinks!) and stroke the flanks of the cats you’re introducing. It’s a product specifically designed to help cats who don't know each other get along.

    So, from my experience, I’d suggest this order of preference for this situation:

    1 - Felifriend spray

    2 - Feliway spray

    3 - Feliway diffuser

    When you do the introduction, bear in mind that the little one might get scared and go into hiding, so try to block off any "bolt holes" where they might become unreachable.

    It’ll be a bit hit or miss.

    Before the official introduction, you could start by taking some items that smell like your resident cats and putting them in the kitten's room, and vice versa. I’d also recommend feeding them on either side of the door to the kitten’s room over the next few days, so they associate each other’s scents with something positive. It’s also a good way to get an idea of whether they’ll accept each other easily or not. If one of the cats refuses to eat because of the other’s scent, then things might be a bit tricky.

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    O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
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    Oh, he absolutely loves it! He cracks me up, he’s a real little climber :)

    He’s a bit wary of some toys but he’s still curious; I reckon the kickeroo will be a great way for him to let off steam, he can really go for it. He isn't really attacking my hands anymore, but he does use me as a climbing frame, lol!

    Next step: introducing him to his two “big brothers” on Saturday night. I’ve a feeling they’re going to have their work cut out for them with him!

    I’ve read that a Feliway diffuser can help relax the atmosphere; does it work well? Do you know?

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    G
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    Ah! Scaling the scratching post, they love that. We invested in a 90cm post for our little terrors when they were tiny and we’ve still got it—it definitely saved our curtains! ^^ If he’s dragging the Kickeroo around by the tag, that’s already a good start ;)
    Translated from French
    O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello,

    Picked up Greylox’s toy this morning, along with a small cat tree and a teaser wand with a spider that has beads for legs. Ouistiti is a bit wary of the Kickeroo and is just dragging it around by the tag for now :) but he’s going absolutely bonkers for the cat tree! He’s definitely living up to his name :)

    Translated from French
    O
    Ouistiti258 Icon representing the flag French
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    I didn't realise that about toys, I usually just leave them lying all over the place! Right, I'll hide his feather wand (that's his favourite at the moment) tomorrow. He’s fast asleep right now :)

    Yes, it’s definitely not easy getting them to change their food. One of my cats used to be sick all the time, but then a vet told me to try grain-free, and since the switch, he’s hardly ever sick anymore.

    Translated from French

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