I rescued a kitten on the side of a road. How do I know if it has worms?

Question

I rescued a kitten, it's eyes are open and it can eat from a bowl but it is severly malnourished. I am treating an eye infection and ear mites. I'm feeding it kitten food in whole milk. It's appetite seems good but it has diarhea that gets all over him in his home I've made for him (which includes a litter box). It's little belly seems bloated too. I was trying to avoid an expensive vet bill. I usually do my own animals shots and things at home. But I'm afraid I might need professional help with this one. Any advice or suggestions for me would greatly be appreciated. thanks.

Answer 1

There is no doubt in my mind that your kitty has worms. She probably has tape worms and round worms. You will need to get something from the vet for that unfortunately...
Now secondly do not feed cows milk. This can cause diarrhea and bloating in your kitten. You would be better to get some goats milk or kitty milk replacer to mix with her dry food. You can water the kitty milk replacer down some to make it go further. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays to make it last longer too. Most brands only keep in the fridge for 72 hours after opening.
It is hard to deal with a situation like this. I am in the process of taking care of a tiny kitten that I found on our property that didn't even have her eyes open yet a week ago. It has definitely been a challange!!! I have been to the vet once for mucus and blood in the stools (was given meds for that) and had to call this morning and get advice and what to do for constipation...I sure there will be more before we have her to the point of eating solid food.

Answer 2

First of all, STOP giving the kitten whole milk!
Cats can't digest it, they make a milk that is meant for kittens.
I am not sure how you tell about worms without a culture, but the over the counter stuff doesn't work the same as what you get from a vet.
You may be able to get the vet to just sell you the wormer dosage.
They also sell a can food for kittens like yours,( I had one that was 6 oz. and used it for her) its a Science Hills Can that is something sold at vets offices, not stores.
I put it in a syringe with no needle of course and squirt it slowly into its mouth. She will pick up weight this way.
No matter what though, stop the reg.milk!

Answer 3

first, stop feeding it whole milk. to make it the kitten food liquid, water will work just fine and is better for the kitten. you can also buy kitten replacement milk.
some cats can be severely allergic to dairy products and as this kitten is so small you don't want to risk it and this may be why it has diarrhea.
even if the kit has worms it sounds to young to treat just yet. you should go to the vet and get it checked out and tested for feline leukemia and feline aides. both these diseases are contagious to other cats and are both deadly.
if the eye infection is conjunctivitis you will need meds for it.
if your going to rescue an animal then you must be willing to put some money into it or find a home with some else that will.
good luck.

Answer 4

Take it to the vet. We had one that was that way and it needed antibiotics as well as an IV since it was so dehydrated. It may be suffering from upper respitory infection as well. Cats can turn very quicky and die if they don't get the proper treatment and being a kitten, it is perhaps even more important to get the little fella in. With poor diet, he's bound to have some stomache upsets until he gets use to the food. Our vet suggested a Science Diet brand. As for worms, all you need to do is bring a stool sample to the vet and they run it under a microscope.

Answer 5

DO NOT GIVE IT MILK - cats are lactose intollerant - the milk is very likely part of the problem with diarhea and bloating.
in order to determine if it has worms you need to take a stool sample to the vet. The over the counter worm meds DO NOT kill all types of worms so should be considered useless.

but for pete's sake quit feeding it milk - I am shocked that somebody who "usually do my own animals shots and things" wouldn't know how bad milk is for cats.

also typically its illegal to simply keep any pet you "find on the side of the road" - this can be considered theft if you didnt report finding it to the local authorities (pound or SPCA)

Answer 6

He sounds like he needs a check up. Cow's milk causes diarrhea in cats--use kitten milk replacer. An eye infection will need antibiotics--not something you can get without a prescription. Your vet can check his stool and dispense the necessary meds--he needs to be checked for hookworm, roundworm, coccidia, and giardia. It's ok to do some things at home, but you need to know when a vet is needed.

Answer 7

you should def de worm him you can buy the over the counter stuff they usually have round worm at that age .do not let any on hear criticize you for doing your own shots and stuff I do to but the people on here seem to think that only rich people deserve to have pets and that if you do not run to a vet for everything you are awful keep up your good work my fellow animal rescuer.

Just adding you can always see the worms they do not always come out ,and yes the whole milk may be causing the poops.

Answer 8

I rescued a kitten a week ago. Best advice take him to the vet and don't give him any more milk. I think that milk cost You problems with ... Good luck with the kitten and thank You for rescue him:)))

Answer 9

Bring a stool sample to the vet - at my vet it's 30 dollars. I'd suggest using kitten formula instead of whole milk; kittens' digestive systems are not made to handle cow's milk.

Answer 10

NO whole milk, that is probably what is causing the poop problem.
Yes always assume that the kittens have worms, it is part of a cats life.
then take kitty to a vet.