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Expert: - 3/4/2010


Question
My room mate and I have a two day old kitten who can't poop. His two brothers and sister are doing just fine, but he is so backed up that it looks like he's got some kind of tumor because of all the poo inside of him. He acts like it hurts when it's touched also. We've tried to stimulate him, and he pees every time, but no poo. His siblings poo just fine, and we've seen each of them do it, but not him. We tried using KY Natural Feel lubricant as a friend suggested, because he said it had worked for him, and a q-tip, but no results. We called an emergency vet, and they told us to make circular motions on his butt with a warm washcloth, and that didn't work. We thought about getting him some liquid laxitive, but we don't know what kind is OK to use on kittens. He's become much less active than his siblings now, and I'm very worried about him. We've done everything to be good mommies, but we can't figure this one out. We will probably take him in to a vet before this day is over with, but I would like to know if there is anything we can do to save time, since he seems to be slipping.

Answer
Stephanie,

Remember, I am not a vet, and there are many things it could be.  So, first of all you DO need  to see a vet.  If you are giving a laxative, something like Metamucil is pretty good. However, you really need to find out if this is an acute or chronic problem as it will determine the best treatment for this kitten.

Please let me know what you find out.

Best regards... Norm.  

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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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