Expert: Norman Auspitz - 9/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am fostering a 4+ week old manx kitten that I am trying to wean due to constant runny poop, he has been checked by a vet and is on Albon and metronidazole 2 times per day, spina bifada was mentioned. He is a shelter animal and I really want to help him to get well if possible so he can get a forever home. Appetite is great, weighs 14 oz.

Thanks!

ANSWER: Rose,

I am not sure what the question is here.  Do you want a weaning protocol or some other hints in treating the diarrhea?

If the albon/flagyl treatment does not appear to be working, you can have the vet research a nasty organism called tritrichomonus foetus  check out:

http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/docs/documents/ownersguide_tfoetus_revised042808.pdf


If you are getting the runny diarrhea since you began weaning, and the kitten is not constipated, you can probably rule out megacolon, another disease Manx often get. (BTW, cats can be constipated and have runny diarrhea at the same time!) If the Manx is not totally tailless, it is unlikely it has spinal bifida (although it is possible).

I hope this is helpful.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He is totally tailless,diarrhea with formula or kitten chow (canned) no interest in dry at this time although his teeth are capable of chewing.
Stools are almost watery.

Answer
Rose,

Do you know that he is not constipated?  They can have runny stool and be constipated at the same time if the nerves are not working correctly in the back end.  Usually, in these cases, the cat kind of dribbles the diarrhea instead of it coming out all at once and can be seen straining in the litter pan.

A Manx breeder friend of ours says all of her kittens get diarrhea when she weans them!  So, if the kitten is not getting dehydrated and, at least, going in the litter pan, it may need some time to adjust to solid food!?!?!?!?

Truthfully, at this point dry food would be the worst thing to give him!!!!!  Has he been tested for Tritrichomonus Foetus? This is an intestinal parasite which causes black, tarry, foul smelling poop.  With the absolute taillessness, one has to suspect an inability to properly digest his food.

Have you tried something like kaopectate?  It could be something like a tummy bug.

You can bounce some of the above off your vet and see what they say!!!!!

Best regards... Norm.