7 Week Old Kitten Diarrhea Help!

newkittenmama24

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I adopted my kitten when she was 6 weeks old. I know it’s better to have them be with their mom until 8 weeks minimum, or 12 weeks preferably. But the lady I got her from was refusing to hold on to them any longer. I figured I could give her a good life.

the lady I got her from was feeding her Meow Mix. I know that isn’t a good brand for kittens, so I switched her to Purina Pro Plan for kittens. I didn’t know that you need to switch them slowly, so it was a sudden change and now she has diarrhea. I’ve taken her to the vet. She did the deworming medication and prescribed her a probiotic. I started her on the probiotic today. I’m really hoping it helps her. Along with the diarrhea, she poops 4-6 times a day. I’m free feeding her, and she is very good about eating. She is also good about drinking a lot of water. She uses her litter box consistently. I just need to know what more I can do for her, if anything. Also, my vet said that she thinks keeping her on just dry food is a good choice. Though I’ve seen a lot of posts about it being better for them to be fully on wet food. Please just help me! I want my first baby to be healthy and happy!

She has toys and is very playful. She has, what I assume to be, a normal level of kitten energy. She is very cuddly and very adventurous.

I just want to do whatever I can to help her. For reference, she has Score 5 poops according to the Purina Fecal Score Chart.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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So she's been on the new food now for almost a week? Has her stool firmed up in that time? Yes,changing dry food up all at once is normally not too good and can definitely be the cause of this issue, but since she's been on the new food for a week now, I'm not sure you need to go back to the old food and start over again slowly. Which probiotic did your Vet prescribe? Some of them are very good at stopping diarrhea, unless there are parasites involved, and that's when medication is required, but I see she did get a dewormer, so that's good.

Many Vets are of the belief that dry food helps clean their teeth. Many of the folks here do not really think that is so. Here's an article about that theory: Does Dry Food Actually Clean Your Cat’s Teeth? – Cat Articles

AND, a lot of Vets aren't really trained in nutrition. They are trained in how to take care of sick animals. There are Vets who are trained in nutrition, but not your typical Vet. Here is another article you might find interesting, all about cat food: https://thecatsite.com/c/how-to-choose-the-right-food-for-your-cat/#ams-comment-76198.

Now this doesn't mean that you can't have a cat who lives a long and happy life on Meow Mix kibble. Many do. All I can tell you is that I have had three cats who died of kidney disease, and I blame it on the fact that all three of them ate kibble for most of their lives :frown: I started researching and decided with my last two cats, I would change things up and they don't even know what kibble is. Plus now I only give them filtered water to drink. They haven't quite reached the age my other cats each were when they were diagnosed, so the jury is still out, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hope this isn't too much information.
 
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newkittenmama24

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Thank you so much for the quick reply! I am a worried mama.

I got her on November 24th, and she has been on this food ever since. When I first got her, her poop seemed normal, but then changed to diarrhea by day 3. I didn’t know better for switching the food, ugh, I just wanted to get her on something a little bit healthier! It hasn’t firmed up at all from what I’ve been able to tell. But it hasn’t become more liquid either. It definitely forms a distinct pile when she goes. I haven’t seen any worms or anything unusual in her poops either.

The vet put her on Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora. I’m really hoping that it helps. Today is only day one. And I’m not sure how long it will take to see an improvement, if there is one.

Do you recommend I try adding in wet food to her diet a few times a day? Or just switching her over completely? I want to make sure the diarrhea clears up before I make any further diet changes.

So far, I’ve had to clean up fleas and get her treated for them and ear mites. And now this. I feel like I’m failing and I just want her to be healthy and happy!
 

Sarthur2

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I think all kittens need wet food. Try Fancy Feast kitten pate. It comes in turkey and fish flavor. I would give it to her 3-4 times a day along with free feeding dry food for in between meals.

The diarrhea may be from a combination of the food change and the worm meds. Give it a few more days and see how she does with the wet food. :)
 

Ruby3440

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You are by far not failing and your doing a lot better then that lady would have since you got her with fleas and already treated them.
Wet food a few times each day I don't think will hurt. I suggest maybe mixing in a little but of pumpkin puree about 2 times a day in with the wet food (or if you decide to just use hard food) to help with the poop. If you use a whole can I suggest putting a small spoonful in. We used it every time there is a non parasite poop problem and almost all the time it has worked for us.
As mrsgreenjeens has said since the kitten has been on food for about a week now the poop should be starting to get better itself. So hopefully you won't have to deal with diarrhea for too much longer.
Since the kitten is about 7 weeks old from what you have said it also isn't a bad idea to still supliment her with some formula. You should use powered formula and not the pre mixed stuff. Since she is able to lap she should hopefully just drink it from a little dish. My family personally uses KMR, but feel free to take other people's opinions about what formula they prefer.
 

Ruby3440

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Whoops. Should have refreshed before posting. Anyways listen to what Sarthur said over me because they have more experience. As I have only helped my mom foster.
(Well except our last kitten that I took on myself untill they were over the bottle baby stage)
 
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newkittenmama24

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I will definitely try the pumpkin purée. I’ve seen that suggested elsewhere, and I’m planning on getting some tomorrow. I tried wet food on her when I very first got her, and she had no interest in it at all. Is there anything I can do that will make her more willing to try it? And also, is this something I’m going to have to gradually add to her diet? Or just go for it with the wet food? What is the best way to do it to avoid giving her more tummy problems?
 

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When my kitten came home she had loose stools. I wasn’t too worried as the shelter said this was “common”. But a couple weeks after we got her I started to see blood in her poop. Got a stool test done at vet and turns out she had coccidia. Even though she’d had dewormer at shelter. It’s pretty common microscopic parasite.
anyway, we did meds for it plus probiotics and it resolved pretty quickly.
I hope your vet asks for a stool test if this doesn’t clear up soon. Seeing as she came to you with fleas, she was clearly exposed to plenty of parasites.
 

lucicat

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I will definitely try the pumpkin purée. I’ve seen that suggested elsewhere, and I’m planning on getting some tomorrow. I tried wet food on her when I very first got her, and she had no interest in it at all. Is there anything I can do that will make her more willing to try it? And also, is this something I’m going to have to gradually add to her diet? Or just go for it with the wet food? What is the best way to do it to avoid giving her more tummy problems?
Id go slow with any food change
 

Sarthur2

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What color is the diarrhea? Any blood in it?

Most kittens love wet food, but you can try the pumpkin, but make sure it is not pumpkin pie mix. You can also try Gerber chicken or turkey meat baby food. That is popular with kittens and sick cats.
 
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newkittenmama24

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When my kitten came home she had loose stools. I wasn’t too worried as the shelter said this was “common”. But a couple weeks after we got her I started to see blood in her poop. Got a stool test done at vet and turns out she had coccidia. Even though she’d had dewormer at shelter. It’s pretty common microscopic parasite.
anyway, we did meds for it plus probiotics and it resolved pretty quickly.
I hope your vet asks for a stool test if this doesn’t clear up soon. Seeing as she came to you with fleas, she was clearly exposed to plenty of parasites.
I brought the vet a stool sample the first time I took Casper to the vet. The vet said that it came back negative. But I’m going to bring another one to the vet for the next appointment as well.
 
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newkittenmama24

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What color is the diarrhea? Any blood in it?

Most kittens love wet food, but you can try the pumpkin, but make sure it is not pumpkin pie mix. You can also try Gerber chicken or turkey meat baby food. That is popular with kittens and sick cats.
The diarrhea is mostly like a brownish-yellow color. No blood in it. Yesterday, she only pooped 2 times rather than 4-6 times, so I’m hoping that is good news.

I will look into the Gerber baby food as well! I will honestly try anything at this point.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Has the poop itself changed in any way since you started the FortiFlora? (aside from pooping less) That usually works pretty well in firming up their stool. One of my adult cats gets diarrhea from antibiotics and FortiFlora firms up his stools normally within 36 hours or so. Between that and the pumpkin he should be good to go, assuming there are no parasites still. Let's hope it's just the food change. Since you took in a fecal sample, I'm guessing your Vet tested it? Did you get the results back?
 
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newkittenmama24

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Has the poop itself changed in any way since you started the FortiFlora? (aside from pooping less) That usually works pretty well in firming up their stool. One of my adult cats gets diarrhea from antibiotics and FortiFlora firms up his stools normally within 36 hours or so. Between that and the pumpkin he should be good to go, assuming there are no parasites still. Let's hope it's just the food change. Since you took in a fecal sample, I'm guessing your Vet tested it? Did you get the results back?
It seemed like it may have been a little harder and darker last night, but I didn’t notice much of a different. Unfortunately, I had a 12 hour day at work today so I haven’t been able to monitor it today and my boyfriend isn’t into doing it. So I will check when I get home. She hasn’t really learned to cover her poop yet, so I’m sure I will be able to see any changes.
My vet did test the fecal sample. I’m not sure what all she tested it for, but she did say that it came back negative.
I know we gave her the dewormer medication, but I haven’t seen any worms or eggs or anything in her poops or around her anus. So I’m hoping that is also good news.
She gets a little pot belly after she eats, but it seems to go away after a bit until she eats more, so from what I understand, that is normal. I’m hoping someone can verify for me. I can get a picture of her belly if that will help me know if everything is okay.
 
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newkittenmama24

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So my kitten is eating completely around the pumpkin purée. I’ve mixed it in really well with her dry food (I’m starting to add wet food in too, but she’s still not stoked with it yet and I don’t want to do another sudden diet change). Is there anything else I can do to get her to eat it? She’s eaten much less than normal today with the pumpkin mixed in.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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I would say "no". Some cats simply don't l like it :frown:. Mine don't. And you sure don't want to compromise her eating.
 

Sarthur2

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I agree! Skip the pumpkin since she doesn’t like it and make sure she gets plenty to eat of what she does enjoy! :)
 
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newkittenmama24

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Okay, thank you! I will nix the pumpkin and just focus on her normal food with the probiotic and work on adding in wet food.
 
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newkittenmama24

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I just wanted to update everyone. We FINALLY had normal poops today! My sweet baby girl is finally getting better and I cannot be happier! I wanted to sincerely thank everyone for their replies and suggestions! You are all amazing!
 

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