I Know This Is Gross... But Do You Have Any Solutions?
By reneous
@reneous (716)
United States
November 21, 2006 9:22pm CST
I just got a new kitten 4 or 5 days ago, and she's had diarrhea since the second day. She's eating (the same food the breeder was feeding her) and playing normally - and doesn't seem to be in pain - but her poop is pure liquid. I've given her some Imodium (at the breeder's suggestion), but that's not working. She also won't use her litter box if there's anything in it (even if it's covered up and unnoticeable). Please help!!! She's sooooo cute, but this is driving me nuts!
2 people like this
9 responses
@LovingIt (5396)
• United States
22 Nov 06
Hi. I've been breeding persians and exotics for several years. How old is the kitten? You aren't letting the kitten drink milk are you? Are you using the same type litter that the breeder did?
This could all just be from stress, however to be on the safe side, I would have the kitten thoroughly checked out by a vet. It sounds like it might possibly have giardia or coccidia, both of which are common in young kittens. If this is the case your vet can give you meds that will easily cure it.
As for the litter box, you might try two litter boxes to see if that helps. Some cats just can't stand a dirty litter box and that will at least give you a little bit more time to clean them.
@reneous (716)
• United States
22 Nov 06
She's 9 and a half weeks old. I have NOT been giving her milk, and I was very careful to get the same kind of food and litter that the breeder was using. We're supposed to go out of town tomorrow, but I really don't want to take her somewhere if it's stress that's causing this in the first place. I hope I can get into a vet the day before Thanksgiving! Thanks for your suggestions :)
1 person likes this
@LovingIt (5396)
• United States
22 Nov 06
Please do take her, if at all possible. That's really young for this type of kitten to be leaving home (is she Himalayan?). Most breeders don't let them leave before 12 weeks of age. It's also about the age that these parasites are bad to hit them.
1 person likes this
@TheAdmiral (159)
• United States
22 Nov 06
I wonder how many other discussions are tagged with "messy poop"
I'm not one for cat ownership muhself, so I'm afraid I can't help you here, whenever my sister had messy animals she left un-attanded I'd always leave 'em in the bathtub where clean-up would be easier, but some might think that cruel...
@reneous (716)
• United States
22 Nov 06
Lol... shut up :P It was a hard discussion to tag - nobody pays attention to the tags anyway (oh but wait, YOU do). I don't think leaving them in a bathtub is cruel if you make it comfy for them... I can't do that, though, because all we have here are tubs that have curtains, so the kitten would just climb right out. Thank you anyway!
1 person likes this
@TheAdmiral (159)
• United States
22 Nov 06
yeah, I'd always leave food and a pillow in there for 'em. Soemtimes I'd just leave them in the bathroom and not all the way in the tub... maybe that'll help with the mess control...
1 person likes this
@PatriciaL (2080)
• United States
22 Nov 06
I would suggest you take the kitten to the vet. It's better to be safe than sorry. Hope your kitten gets better soon!
1 person likes this
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
22 Nov 06
No milk should be given, just water, and keep placing her in the tray over and over again, each time she comes out!
1 person likes this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
3 Dec 06
Taking her to a vet has been said numerous times, but it can also help when cleaning out her litter box with bleach. Cats love the smell of bleach and they will want to take a pee there. On the other hand, if you use it around the house it attracts them a lot too...
