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Question
We have four seven week old kittens. Recently, we noticed our little peach one has been having diarrhea pretty badly. He doesn't act like he is sick or like he isn't feeling well, but he does meow an awful, but he's always been like that. Whenever we pick him up, he's fine. He's the only one that's had diarrhea though, and we're quite concerned as to what could be wrong with him. Are there any home remedies you would suggest to try, before taking him to a vet? We started them on hard food about a week and a half ago, I don't know if that could be the problem, but it seems like the others would be having the same thing.
Amy,
Remember, I am not a vet! No, I would get him to the vet first to see what might be going on. Cats, like people, have diarrhea for a reason. Treating the symptoms does not get at the root cause and may end up masking what is really going on. They major problem with the kitten would be dehydration, so, if he is eating normally, try making a soup out of 1 part strained meat baby food (make sure the only ingredients are strained meat and broth or gravy) and 3 parts unflavored Pedialyte. Give him as much as he will lap up.
Best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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