"Tony" wrote in message
om...
First, the info:
Male 4-5 weeks old Found in good condition/health after mother cat
died.
A vet's visit revealed no apparent blockage in the intestine, and
teeth development which indicated age to be 4-5 weeks, although the
kitten is smaller than average for that age.

snip

Over the course of the past four days, the kitten has become
progressively less active. Assuming that the vet's office is open
tomorrow (Veteran's day), I will take the kitten back for some stool
softener and I will ask about the nipple and how to encourage the
kitten to progress to solid foods. However, I would appreciate some
more info, even if the vet's office will be open. So...

1. Why would a kitten completely bite off a nipple?

I don't know. Could be that he was frustrated with the bottle.

2. What else can I do to encourage him to eat solid foods?

Try mixing some formula in with canned kitten food, making a soft mixture.
The kittens I've had around that age love it. You can gradually decrease
the formula until he is used to the food.

3. Beside stimulating the kitten's privates, how else can I encourage
defication?

Make sure you are doing this correctly. Take a cotton ball moistened with
warm water and gently stroke his butt. He may not know to go in the
litterbox, so place him in it soon after eating. If it's been four days,
however, PLEASE take him to the vet tomorrow! I can't imagine all the vet
offices will be closed for Veteran's Day. Kittens can go downhill very
quickly, and you say he's gotten less active. NOT a good sign! Keep a
close eye on him tonight and take him in first thing tomorrow.

4. Any other tips?

Also make sure he is warm enough, but not hot.


--
-Kelly
kelly at farringtons dot net
www.kelltek.com
Check out www.snittens.com