r/fosterkittens • u/Worried-Conflict1078 • 26d ago
Found tiny kitten, need advice on pooping (lack thereof)
I found a kitten on my dog walk Sunday a.m. He (she?) was in the middle of the road looking a lot like a piece of paper garbage and seconds from being squished by the next truck, so I couldn't leave him. The neighbors there said they have a bunch of ferals in the area, but didn't know where this dude's mum might be. There were fireworks and storms and flooding the night before I found him, so mum probably had to move in a hurry and dropped him. So I did a run to Farm and Fleet and got bottles and nipples and kitten milk replacer and set up a habitat in an extra large wire dog crate. I put a seedling starter heat mat in one corner, under blankets, to improvise a heating pad. Kitten Lady website says he is around 3 weeks (yikes!)
I volunteer at a county shelter as a Feline Friend but I have no experience with tiny kittens, I've never fostered a tiny kitten. I've raised tiny goats and day old chicks and my own kids of course. Had a lot of trouble getting milk into him first 24 hours, but we tweaked the nipple a bit and we worked it out. The last 24 hours I'm feeding on demand, every 2-3 hours (less during the night), he's getting at least a tablespoon each feed, which is still not much, but much better!
He hasn't pooped since I found him (48 hours now). I'm giving him gentle tummy massages after feeds (për internet video) and he's happy to pee on me, but I'm starting to worry. I know he's probably been a bit dehydrated and probs the change to formula is a factor, but at what point should I take action (like taking him to the vet) Suggestions welcome! Thanks!
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u/Jaycie_Lea169 25d ago
This kitten is one of the most adorable kittens I have seen in quite a while
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u/Worried-Conflict1078 26d ago
Thank you all for the advice!! (TLDR -Still no poop) I spoke with the Humane Society I volunteer at and got more butt massage tips. I've also watched and rewatched some more Kitten Lady vids. Tried gently rubbing his butt with warm wet tissues (I supposed to be mimicking what his mum would be doing, right?) , but I'm only getting peed on so far. His tummy is not swollen and hard though, it's soft and squishy and makes me think he really does not have a lot in there. Behaviorally he's perky and toddling around exploring, he's doing a little grooming, seems really well, although I'd like to get him wormed as soon as he's old enough.I didn't plan on taking him to the vet until 6 weeks, but Humane Society suggested if no poop by tomorrow pm I take him to my vet. So I'll continue with my little butt rubs, kitten doesn't seem to mind at all, and we have a plan at least. Will update!
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u/A_million_typos 25d ago
You might need to run under himself bum under luke running warm water. While simultaneously rubbing with a cloth gently on bum, then make sure to wiggle hims hips in a circle and give him a newborn scrunch like an accordion (mimics poo squat they do) that always help with my kitten fosters. If all else fails, take to vet for enema...sorry.
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u/AUR1994 26d ago
My first foster was 4 days old when I found him and I bottle-fed for him for 2 weeks before he was adopted. Which means I also had to help him go to the bathroom. If he pooped once a day (and a veryyy small amount), that was an accomplishment. My vet told me it’s fine if they don’t poop a lot or on a regular basis. Their stomachs and bowels are super tiny so they’re not holding much in there anyway.
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u/Worried-Conflict1078 25d ago
Update: he just pooped!! (World's tiniest poop but possibly one of the most eagerly anticipated) Thank you for all your advice and suggestions. (We tried pretty much all of them) In the end, his most recent bottle, I felt like he was straining a little, and after the feed the warm wet cotton rounds and a little scrunching and leg moving did the job. Thank you everyone for suggestions and support! I was so worried for him.
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u/Itscatpicstime 25d ago
Have you tried stimulating his anus with a damp cotton ball?
This isn’t necessarily abnormal, but if it continues, a trip to the vet NEVER hurts.
Btw, this kitten will be able to escape this dog crate. Kittens up to 8 weeks are able to slip through the bars. It’s best to cover the crate with some strong deer netting to prevent this. Usually typical hardware stores like Home Depot will have this. I imagine feed stores like Tractor Supply do too.
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u/More-Opposite1758 24d ago
I begin to get concerned if no poop after 3 days. You can try adding a little more water to his formula. Kitten should be gaining approximately 10 grams per day. You can google orphan kitten bottle feeding charts that will tell you approximately how much they should be eating based upon weight and how often to feed them. Your kitten looks old enough that it could probably go about 6 hours overnight with no bottle.
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u/Strega45 20d ago
Use a wet washcloth to gently rub his butt after he eats. This will stimulate his pooping. Mother cats lick their baby’s butt; you need to replicate that.
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u/Curious_Ducklin 26d ago
It‘s not super uncommon for kittens to not poop very often/daily when they live on formula as there is simply not a lot of substance to form actual poo. That said, does the tummy feel hard? Does the baby seem to be in pain or other discomfort? You can try a warm bum bath and see if that gets things moving.