Rupert Still Constipated

[amandap80]

Hello all. Thanks for all your help yesterday. Rupert is still doing well, and is putting on weight. However, his belly is still distended and he has barely pooed at all. I thought I had read another post about using a very small amount of mineral oil (3 drops I think). Is this ok? Does anyone have any thoughts about this? He has been getting the yogurt formula for 2 days now. I am rubbing him for 10 minutes after his feedings every 3 hours. Thanks for your responses.
Amanda

[MissDolittle]

I wouldn't use mineral oil. Once you get diarrhea started it's hard to get it
to stop before the baby is dehydrated. It takes about a week for Rupert to
get used to the new diet, give him that time.

What kind of milkreplacer do you use? You might want to water it down a
bit. Usually it's one part milkreplacer and 2 parts water..make it 3 parts of
water and add the yoghurt, that should help.

[amandap80]

Hey Miss DoLittle, thanks for replying. The milk replacer is called Pro-Biolac, which I purchased at my vet. It is mixed in a 2 to 3 ratio, usually I mix 2 teaspoons of replacer with 1 tbsp of water and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. Maybe I should switch to 1 teaspoon replacer, 1 teaspoon yogurt and 1 tbsp water? Also, tomorrow I go back to work, and I am woried about the feeding schedule. I can only feed him every 4 hours, before work, on lunch break, and after work. Will he be ok?

[MissDolittle]

Yes, every 4 hours should be alright..he might eat more then and has more
time to digest.

Here is how I would mix the formula:

2 parts of water
1 part of formula
1/2 teaspoon yoghurt

Once the digestion caught up you can go back to the normal dosage.

[amandap80]

Ok, thanks for all your help. I will change the ratio on this next feeding. Now I am freaking out about the eye dropper. I am going to start going totally bottle. If he has aspirated some, how long before I know if it will develop into pneumoina? I have been turning him upside down and tapping him during feedings...

[MissDolittle]

Had he ever milk coming out of his nose? If not, you have nothing to worry
about. If he did, put your ear on his chest and listen. Do it next feeding so
you know what it sounds when it's normal.

No need to hold him down during feeding..just sit him up or keep him on
all fours during feeding..like so:

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

Yes I know, they are older, but the position is what I wanted to show you.
Never put the head back or lay the kitten on his back. But you knew that
already :).

[Saviah Wildlife]

Actually worst case scenario I've had alot of luck temporarily with kittens, puppies, or wildlife that were having this problem with a very small amount of vegetable oil and a slight increase until they go "potty". I'm not sure about mineral oil though.

Obviously it's a temporary fix and shouldn't be continued so if it doesn't work seek a Veterinarian.

[amandap80]

Ok, thank goodness. No, he has never had milk coming out his nose. He just sucks it down so fast! :shock:
When I was talking about holding him, I was turning him upside down and tapping him in case he had inhaled anything. Thanks for all your help.

[MissDolittle]

You were born as a kittenmom!!!! :D