3 month old kittens

[yomav]

I just got two new kittens that are 3 months old. I got them this past Saturday and Sunday through rescue agencies and they are not litter mates. Both female, one spayed, the other in a month or so.

One is just fine -- very active, plays hard adjusted well. Her name is Sophie.

The other is very skinny, shy, and slightly dehydrated. Her name is Peanut. The vet saw her on Sundy and seemed to think she would correct this herself. She'll let me do sub-cutaneous fluids at home if necessary. I also did not know what kind of food she was eating, and I think giving her the science diet has given her diarreha.

Since I've never introduced kittens, I had the person who broght over the non-shy kitten give advice and she said to just have them meet each other out in the open. This has proved not the best approach, and I've decided to "quaranteen" Peanut since Sophie has tended to "rule the land" in our apartment. I think I'll keep her there until she regains some of her strength (by eating and drinking more), and then make a more proper introduction.

Any advice on getting Peanut to eat without traumatizing her? I've been encouraging her at breakfast, lunch and dinner and I think it's gotten better in the past day, but I'm still very concerned for her hydration level and eating. How much do kittens tend to eat? (I think Peanut weighs about 3 pounds.) I also hate to traumatizer her by bring her to the vet again and really hope to work through this.

Thanks for ANY advice!

[jason]

The other is very skinny, shy, and slightly dehydrated. Her name is Peanut. The vet saw her on Sundy and seemed to think she would correct this herself. She'll let me do sub-cutaneous fluids at home if necessary. I also did not know what kind of food she was eating, and I think giving her the science diet has given her diarreha.

try using canned (wet) food, whatever the vet suggested probably comes in can form.

Since I've never introduced kittens, I had the person who broght over the non-shy kitten give advice and she said to just have them meet each other out in the open. This has proved not the best approach, and I've decided to "quaranteen" Peanut since Sophie has tended to "rule the land" in our apartment.

bad advice was given, search this forum for cat introductions and im sure you will turn up some posts (some replied to by myself) with proven tactics that will endure.

[Traci]

What are you feeding them, and did the vet appropriately deworm them during the exam? If you're still feeding Science Diet, make sure it's dry form....or you can make a gradual switch to Iams kitten food dry. (canned food for young kittens can give them diarrhea, as can parasites)

[jason]

(canned food for young kittens can give them diarrhea, as can parasites)

heh, woops...didnt think of that, but i still think you can use canned to tempt her to eat and then introduce a dry food.

you should be communicating your troubles with your vet and have them rechecked soon to be sure your plan of action is appropiate for them.

[Guest]

Wow -- so much dis-information out there. I read on several adoption sites that kittens should only eat wet food until they are about 6 months....

Yes, vet gave me deworming medicine to to this Saturday, so Peanut should be doing okay in that area. I'll take Sophie in this weekend too to be ckecked -- her tummy is a little big (has been this way since she was dropped off, but was dewormed by her foster mommy about a week ago).

They are mostly eating dry Science Diet kitten food. Just checked them at lunch and they seem to be doing better. Peanut even "escaped" the bathroom at the end of lunch. They both sniffed each other, but no growling or hissing! (Very brave of Peanut!)

Wish me luck tonight! I really appreciate the posts!

[jason]

Wow -- so much dis-information out there.

no kidding, we try to keep things accurate per medical community standards...not things tried in the field, but things medically proven.

They are mostly eating dry Science Diet kitten food.

ah, the food with the fat...haven't heard of a cat passing that up. keep us updated on their status.

[kate & kobi]

Science Diet Kitten is good stuff, fatty or no. It did give one of my cats diarrhea, but I don't think that's specific to the SD - might just be from switching food too rapidly. I hope your Peanut is eating/drinking better tonight... are you able to watch their elimination patterns, to see who is doing what? Is she still having diarrhea, after a few days on SD?

As for the "getting to know you" stage, you'll probably find that they'll come around to each other bit by bit, and then one day you'll see them grooming each other and you'll think that's the cutest thing in the whole world. I have one scaredy cat and one bold kitty, and oddly enough it's the scaredy cat who rules the cat kingdom around here. They didn't like each other much at first, either, but now they can't be separated.

[Guest]

Well, as good as lunch time visit was, Peanut is still pretty listless and not eating much. I think I'll have to call the vet tomorrow to get some fluids. I just need to jump-start her system.

She is defacating, but only in very small amounts (nothing like the first day she used the box here -- it was a good-sized long one).

Is there any "jump-start" for feeding? I know when my cat, Lady, had kidney disease the vet had me syringe feed her to help her do this. Is that adviseable with kittens? Do vets every do IV feeding to help a kitten in distress?

I spoke with the person I adopted her from today, and she has so many kitties, she didn't remember her eating patterns. She did say that she had 3 litter mates that were adopted recently and she was left alone.

I am so afraid for her. Thanks again for all of the posts.

PS -- Sophie is doing great. Chasing her tail, eating and drinking well. On a good note, the kittens are getting along much better now.

[yomav]

From Peanut and Sophie's mom, I am now a member and here's all my email and things. Thanks again. Yolande

[jason]

Is there any "jump-start" for feeding?

i would try the canned food...maybe even a canned otc (not sci diet) just to get the eating processes moving along and then push the science diet...sci diet is great (kitten and many others) but your kittens need to eat, period.

I spoke with the person I adopted her from today [snip] She did say that she had 3 litter mates that were adopted recently and she was left alone.

that could of been stressful and now she got moved, another stress.

On a good note, the kittens are getting along much better now.

that will eleviate some stress for sure and should help get the eating back to normal...hopefully. just keep the household calm and relaxing as much as possible while giving them both plenty of attention. also keep attentive to any slight or sudden change in their behavior as this would indicate a potential problem.

(welcome aboard)