Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 6/4/2009

Question
We recently found two (im guessing 10-14 days old)kittens. The mother and rest of litter was killed.  Anyways, I have had them since Monday afternoon and have been giving them KMR. Feeding them every 3 hours.  I am able to stimulate them and get them to urinate but have had no luck at getting them to have a bowel movement.  Is this normal?  Also they are covered in fleas is there anything I can use on them at this age to get rid of them?  Thank you so much!

Answer
KMR is pretty digestible, so they may not make much fecal material.  Stimulate the belly with a warmed wet cotton ball several times a day.

Flea products can be used on kittens if it says so on the label.  I recommend saturating the kitties and then wrapping their body in a towel.  The insecticide will remain on the skin for a while and the dead fleas will stick to the towel material.