Abandoned Kitten, 4 days old

[amandap80]

I found this kitty by a building in our office parting lot. I left him for a few hours (in the shade) to see if mother would return, but no such luck. So, Rupert (as he is now known) has come home with me. I have kitten milk replacer and a bottle. He is feeding well, but I cannot stimulate a bowel movement. He pees for me just fine, but I keep rubbing him and he never poos. Am I rubbing incorrectly? I have a damp warm wash rag and am rubbing his bits, but still nothing. I am rubbing him during and immediately after his feedings, which are every 3 hours. Am i doing something wrong? he is kind of distended, so I am worried about feeding him any more... I am guessing he is 4 days old. Umbiblical has fallen off, but eyes and ears are tightly closed. When went to the vet, and they said he was well hydrated and seemed fine. Any help is greatly appreicated.
Amanda

[MissDolittle]

Welcome Amanda! :)

It's ok if he doesn't poop for a couple of days, no worries there. That usually
happens when they have a diet change. They either get constipated or get
the runs.

What has always helped my kittens is a teaspoon of plain yoghurt added to
the formula.

You are doing a great job! :)

[amandap80]

Thanks Miss Doolittle. I am just so worried I will do something wrong, he just seems so delicate. I know this seems stupid, but I am worried I will feed him too much without him being able to eliminate and his tummy will explode or something! :shock: Am I being a worry wort? I ran his little bottom under a warm faucet and mixed 1 teaspoon of plain unsweetened yogurt into his formula, but nothing yet.

[MissDolittle]

I understand you completely! My first kittens were tough, I sweated gallons
lol.

If it helps, I'll hold your hand until you are more comfortable, ok?

First off, there is no such thing than the stomach exploding. I had kitten go
without for 5 days. Give the yoghurt some time, it might work this evening.

That was a GOOD idea with the running faucet. Just keep him snuggly warm.

[amandap80]

Thank you so much for helping me. I actually saw the running water idea in one of your replies on another post. I have him in a box with a warm Snuggle Safe (the microwavable plastic disk for pets) in the bottom, with a few towels. There is an area he can move to if he gets too hot. I also stuck a small stuffed 'Pound Puppy' in there with him. He is in a dark bed room off by himself. I am letting him sleep in between feedings. Usually his feedings take 30-45 minutes, and I cuddle and hum to him. Should I be picking him up more? I really do appreiciate all your help. By the way, my Saint Bernhard and Blood hound find this all very interesting! :)

As a side note, the vet tech who looked at him yesterday said he had a small hernia where his umbilical cord was, but that it was not a big deal and should clear up in a few days, so I have been worried about over-handling him. what do you think?

[MissDolittle]

You are doing all the right things! I just used my SnuggleSafe too, for an
ant bitten baby squirrel..it's a good thing to have :).

Don't worry about handling him..I'd try to avoid the belly. At this young of
age I only handle them while feeding and let them sleep. But once the eyes
are open..rock'n roll lol.

[amandap80]

Never have I been so delighted to see an animal poo! At Rupert's second feeding of the yogurt formula, he finally pooed a little. It seemed like he was straining some though. Should I wait until the next feeding to rub him, or rub him again in 30 minutes or so? How many more times should I feed him the yogurt formula? I am still using the bottle I mixed with the 1 tsp of yogurt from earlier today, since he only eats about 3/4 cc at each feeding.

[MissDolittle]

I always add a bit yoghurt to the formula, just a tiny bit. If they have
constipation or diarrhea I add more.

How often do you feed him? I'd do it every 3 hours, and depending on the
kitten, I either rub before feeding or after, with some before AND after.
Some just won't eat when they have to go first.

I would also do one feeding a night when you do the last feeding at 11 pm,
I'd feed him 3 am again and then 7-8 am again, for another week or so and
then go to 4 hours feeding.

The entire trick with feeding is the hole in the nipple. If you can squeeze
the bottle and you get drops out of the nipple, it's probably ok. A too small
of a hole and the kitten gets exhausted before he can finish eating. He should
get 1 cc every 3 hours.

Any way you could take a picture of him and post it here?

I have a 3 weeks old feral who is coming around pretty good, but she
has an infected and swollen anus..looks terrible! I got tons of yucky
stuff out of her ears (rinsed them with peroxide) and put some penicillin
drops in her eyes because they were crusted shut.

That kitten couldn't hear nor see when I got her 2 days ago. Now she
is playing and won't take the bottle but eats soaked dry kitten chow.
Her poor behind has to heal still, but eyes and ears are ok.

[MissDolittle]

Here she is. I named her Silly hehe. She has still stuff coming out of her
ears, but her eyes are sooooooooo much better:

http://www.amazes.us/album/albums/userpics/10001/silly.jpg

[amandap80]

http://www.shawneelink.net/~beewoman/rupert1.jpg
http://www.shawneelink.net/~beewoman/rupert2.jpg

[MissDolittle]

WOW! That's one huge kitten! They remind of these 3 I fostered:

http://www.amazes.us/album/albums/userpics/10001/threekitties.jpg

Or this one is after the bath:

http://www.amazes.us/album/albums/new/kittens/after.jpg

[amandap80]

I am feeding him every 3 hours. He is eating great, and I am rubbing him during and after he eats. I am rubbing him for about 10 minutes, until he pees, is purring and goes to sleep. Last night I fed him at 10, 1, 4 and 7. I am swapping back and forth between the eye dropper and bottle, depending on how aggravated he gets.

[MissDolittle]

Sounds good! I hope your fiancee pitches in so you can get some sleep :).

I would stay clear of the eye dropper. If he suckles on it a bit too hard, he
can aspariate easily, which would result in pneumonia. A syringe with a
nipple would be better if the bottle does absolutely not work, which is not
the case with your darling.

I'm talking from experience, unfortunately.

[amandap80]

I am feeding him every 3 hours. He is eating great, and I am rubbing him during and after he eats. I am rubbing him for about 10 minutes, until he pees, is purring and goes to sleep. Last night I fed him at 10, 1, 4 and 7. I am swapping back and forth between the eye dropper and bottle, depending on how aggravated he gets.