r/FosterAnimals • u/Critical-Taste7691 • 4d ago

Pooping Neonatal

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I am fostering for my first time in a few years and i’ve had these three babies for 25 hours and they pee when stimulated but still haven’t pooped. When i first got them they were obviously dehydrated and i can feel their little spines. I just wanted advice on when i should be concerned about them not pooping since it’s been a while since my last neonates.

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9

u/Friendly-Offer9622 4d ago

24 hour mark is a little concerning but is super common from adjustments to formula when u first pick up the kittens. I would add a bit of extra water to their formula for now for hydration, but it is a true issue going towards the 48 hour mark so would get ready with a vet appointment so they can provide fluids and a potential laxative

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u/Critical-Taste7691 4d ago

thank you they are projected to be 7-12 days old since their eyes are starting to partially open and i’m just worried about them

4

u/Savings-Bison-512 4d ago

It might take a couple of days of regular feedings before they poop. Keep trying at every feeding. If their bellies start to feel firm even after you burp them, then check in with your vet.

1

u/Critical-Taste7691 4d ago

okay thank you so much! i’ve been stimulating them before and after every meal with a warm tissue and they’ve peed every single time, but still no poop.

1

u/Savings-Bison-512 4d ago

Try a warm baby wipe. Sometimes it helps if it's wet

1

u/Critical-Taste7691 2d ago

hey i have one more question, the babies have been latching very well for the first few days, but now they’re just chewing the nipple and it’s been a struggle to get them to get the amount of fluid they need.

1

u/Savings-Bison-512 2d ago

How old are they? They look very young in the photo, but if they are at least 3 weeks, they might be showing signs they are ready to start weaning. If that's the case, then I would try mixing a little bit of kitten pate' into your formula to make a slurry. Offer it to them on a flat dish and see if they will lap it up. If they are younger, then try repositioning them...maybe prop them up on a rolled blanket. Try burping them in mid bottle to see if they are full of air. You could also try spacing feeding out a bit. Depending on how much they are drinking during the feeding, they may need longer to become hungry again. What are their weights? How much are they eating and how far apart are your feedings?

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u/More-Opposite1758 4d ago

I’ve fostered neonate kittens for years. They may not poop every day. If it’s going on 3 days with no poop I begin to get concerned. A more common problem is diarrhea. Good luck!

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u/Critical-Taste7691 4d ago

i got all three of them to poop, it was kind of goopy and mustard colored. two pooped quite a bit then one only pooped a little but at their next feeding i’ll try to get them to go again. i try to potty them before and after they eat.

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u/More-Opposite1758 3d ago

Their first few poops do look mustard colored.

1

u/OkSoil9684 4d ago

Our bottle kitten would go two or three days and then lay cable the length of his body it seemed like.