This problem is a first for me! As the title says, this tiny neonate has been pooping her formula. This started about 3 hours ago. I am going to switch her to Pedialyte and karo syrup until I can speak to the vet - her checkup is not until 4:30 p.m. as the vet is solo this week because the VT is out of town for Continuing Education. Several hours before that, she ate very well, although since yesterday she had been fussing at the nipple (mini Miracle nipple as well as a conventional bottle nipple) and was not suckling, just drinking (I am syringe feeding). Her weight is very poor (fluctuating from 3.2 - 3.4 ounces); she had a rough start - her litter of 4 was abandoned, just born, placentas still attached and babies uncleaned; the finder left the babies out all day, hoping the mother would return and did not call me until after dark and predators (probably raccoons) had partly eaten one kitten, one is missing, one died in my care 30 hours later, succumbing to abdominal injury from a bite...so now I have the one. She had been doing well the first 48 hours but on Saturday began being fussy at meal time although she was sleeping well and pee/poop was good.I began syringe feeding in small but frequent increments until she would fall asleep. Early Monday morning, she had that dehydrated look about her so I added Pedialyte 50/50 dilution as part of her meal. Later on, her umbilical cord (it hasn't fallen off yet, which was why I made the vet appointment) got caught on her swaddling cloth and a couple of hours later, it looked like a scab had formed at the navel. I treated it with an antiseptic wash and called the vet. The vet gave me some Biomoxx to treat her with and I did give her some but only after 2 hours of this pooping her formula (she was frantic when she is eating - I tried letting her suckle on my hand as she had been doing the past couple of days, but she was determined to have formula. ) Other than this serious digestive issue, she has been doing well, considering her small size and failure to gain substantial weight; her ears are working already and when she hears family speaking to me, she sniffs the air. She is crawling surprisingly well and has a good righting reflex.
Any ideas? thoughts? suggestions???
Any ideas? thoughts? suggestions???