Kittens with diarrhea

The question I receive at least 5 times per week if not more from customers is kittens who have persistent and or chronic diarrhea. This is common in kittens according to on-line at columnist Dr. Richards (unable to locate credentials on-line, therefore, please speak to your own vet in regards to cat diarrhea).

Although this is common, this is serious concern that needs to be addressed with a vet as kittens are more likely to suffer from dehydration from the diarrhea more than adult cats.

There are two types of diarrhea, acute (meaning lasting about 48 hours) and chronic diarrhea that can be long-term.

Diarrhea can be caused by:
Parasites
Coccidia
Giardia
Improper diet
Cow's milk
Viruses
Stomach upset
Food allergies
Feline Leukemia
Colitis
Foreign objects causing obstruction
Bacteria
Stress

Checking for dehydration:
While the kitten/cat is at rest, lightly pinch the scruff of the neck, pull up gently, keeping the cat firmly on the ground.
Hold the scruff for just a few seconds then release.
The scruff should fold down to normal in seconds, if the scruff/skin stays tented up, get your cat to the vet immediately or administer subcutaneous fluids yourself.
You can also check the gums by lightly pressing your finger against the side of the cat's gums. The gum should go white and then pink up quickly.
If you see streaks of white on your cat's gums or the gums are pure white or yellow, get the cat to the vet quickly.
The third eyelid (called the yaw) will also show when a cat has become dehydrated.

What NOT to do:
Do NOT give over-the-counter medications to your cat, unless the vet okays it.
Do NOT deprive your cat of food over 24 hours. You can withdraw food for one day to rest the gut, but any longer your cat stands a chance of developing a worse problem than diarrhea.
Do NOT use over-the-counter wormers, or other pet-aids that you think will solve the problem.
Do not self-diagnose your cat.