Answer

Hello again, and thanks very much for your accept.

I'm sorry for the delay. I had to log off shortly after I sent your answer, as I'm in the U.S. and it was 4:30AM for me. As you can see, I'm online late, and then sign on again in the early afternoon (my time).

If they're put off by the taste of the Pro-Kolin (paste?) which is supposed to be palatable to cats, then, no, don't bother offering it to them on your finger and distressing them further.

The worming medication is to be repeated in 2-3 weeks, if it is to be effective (or, follow directions on the product, as some may vary). I know that Stronghold (spot-on?) is made to treat tapeworms, roundworms, fleas and mites, so this was a good choice, to cover all bases.

The medication the vet prescribed is an 'anti-diarrheal' to stop the loose stools, however, if your kittens have coccidia or giardia, which are microscopic intestinal parasites, they must be treated with an antibiotic type medication that is specifically made to eliminate those parasites. If they're not treated with the proper medication, IF their fecal check is 'positive' for these parasites, the condition will not resolve itself. Sometimes, it's difficult to make a positive identification of these conditions, as they may not be obvious upon the first, or multiple tests, so the vet will treat for them, anyway. In the U.S., a medication called Albon is usually used to treat coccidia and Metronizadole is used to treat giardia. I don't know if your kittens received any type of medication like this from the breeder or the vet; you'll have to call and ask. The medications might have a different name in the U.K.

The main concern with diarrhea or loose/mushy stools in young kittens, is dehydration, because they're losing fluid through the abnormal stools.

If the taste of the medication is very 'obvious', then they would detect it in food, if you mixed it in. I feel it's important to have a fecal analysis done to determine the cause of the current mushy stools, and proceed from there. Give them the 1/2 tsp. of plain, unflavored yogurt, as I mentioned previously, just mix it into a little canned kitten food. If the pouch food is more 'chunky' or 'slices', buy some canned kitten food that's mushier and mix the yogurt into a small amount, so you know they've eaten it all.

In addition, feed them some plain, boiled skinless chicken breast (no onions or garlic added), mixed with plain boiled white rice. This too, will help solidify their stools. If the problem is just diarrhea, caused by a problem other than intestinal parasites, with the bland food, encouraging more drinking (you can add children's unflavored Pedialyte to their water--actually, mix half and half with water to help keep their electrolytes balanced), it might resolve on it's own. But, if it's caused by parasites, the most appropriate medication must be given, to eliminate the problem.

If the medication the vet gave you is a liquid (not the paste), follow the directions I gave you in my last answer. Wrap the kitten in a large towel, hold her like a baby, cradled in one arm, but slightly upright against your upper chest; put
just the tip of the dropper in her mouth from the side, where there is an opening between the upper and lower teeth; squeeze in a little at a time, and wait for a swallow after each bit. Gently stroke the throat to encourage the swallow reflex. Speak to her the entire time, and offer some food she likes, or a healthy cat treat, afterwards as a reward. Don't let her see the towel before the next dose, or she'll run. Then repeat, for the other kitten.

In desperation, try adding the medication to softened butter (a small amount) mix well, and offer from your finger, like a treat.

I hope things improve very soon!

Cher