*sigh* ice-cream and kittens don't mix

So here’s the scenario… I’m laying on the sofa playing on my laptop. Scout is on his usually perch of the very top of the recliner. All the sudden, he starts hacking. I’m thinking hairball. I go to him and all the sudden he stops hacking. I pick him up and notice diarrhea in a puddle on the top of the recliner and on his tail and leg. Geez that is such a nasty smell. I put him in the tub to bathe him fully prepared for scratches all over my arms. But, he was a good kitty, he just stayed there and let me bathe him although he did NOT like it. I bundled him up on the sofa and let him clean himself while I cleaned the recliner. He seemed fine after that so I go online trying to look up anything that deals with kitty diarrhea and the possible causes. I was fully expecting a trip to the vet tomorrow then I get a call from my boyfriend…here’s part of the conversation:

Me: Scout is sick. I’m not sure what’s wrong but he had diarrhea.
BF: Well of course he did. He ate too much damn ice-cream.
Me: *shocked pause* YOU LET MY CAT HAVE ICECREAM?!!!
BF: Don’t yell. I didn’t mean to. While you were at work, I went over to your place. While I was there, I fixed myself a bowl of ice-cream then left it on the coffetable to answer the phone. When I came back, he was eating the ice-cream.
Me: *counting to 10 for patience* You know he walks all over the coffee table. Why didn’t you put it up? And didn’t you think this was something I should have known about??!!
BF: I wasn’t thinking about it…

It went on from there, but I won’t boreyou with the details. Scout seems fine now. He even was hungry and ate his kitten food. He had diarrhea again in his box a short time ago(before he ate his food). What I need to know is how much harm was done. Will Scout suffer from diarrhea for a few days, just tonight or what? Is there anything I should do for him?

Scout on his perch on top of the recliner:
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/...7228739901.jpg
Oh, and if any of you are wondering or noticed...yes, Scout does have what looks like a lazy eye. The vet said he was most probably born like that. And that since it doesn't seem to bother him, he should be ok with it. She said that he probably does see out of it, but not well. Just an FYI.

POOR SCOUT.:(
Sorry I can't offer any good advice. Do you have a 24 hour emergency vet you can call? I would. The only time Tinky had dirraeah is when she had worms.

I have heard that cats can get diarrhea from too much milk (ice cream would qualify!) I let Grasshopper have the bottom of the bowl lickings occasionally when I have ice cream or cereal with milk.. but very little. He should be OK, keep an eye on him. Poor baby!! (You, I mean, 'cause runny kitty poop is nasty to clean up!) Aww, poor baby to him too, what the heck!!
Hope he feels better soon!!

poor little kitty, I guess its a good thing your boyfriend didnt set something else down that might have hurt or killed the kitty.

Well, I wouldn't be too mad your your BF. He didn't mean any harm... And to be honest, I've given Oliver both milk and icecream in the past without any diarhea or problems at all. Maybe Scout is laktos-intolerant??? Hope he is feeling better now!

ice - cream is bad for cats and usually causes diarhea !
Be sure your cat is better real soon , or else you will have to visit a vet : cats dry out very easily !!
good luck !!

http://community.webshots.com/user/sydneybilliepets

I've heard many things about cats not tolerating milk (yes, ice cream would qualify). I think it's only if they don't get it on a regular basis though. Tubby used to get milk practically everyday when "grandma" was taking care of him. Then when I moved in with Terry, it became a weekend thing where every Saturday and Sunday Tubby would get the left over milk from Terry's cheerios. Tubby never got diarrhea at all. The only ill effects ever seen were when Tubby thought we forgot about it being Saturday and milk time for him. He would be sure to remind us in no uncertain terms. ;) :rolleyes: We've had to stop this weekend ritual though because of Tubby's failing kidneys. Now even if he gets two licks of the spoon he throws up within 10 minutes, doesn't even get near to being diarrhea. Sooo, needless to say he doesn't get any at all anymore - none - zip - nada - noway! I don't think there would be any permanent damage done. It's just as if you had eaten something that didn't sit right. As soon as it's made its way through your system, you're over it. But I would keep an eye on him anyway, just to make sure. He's so young that you don't want to take any chances. :)

Tiff,

MOST cats are lactose intolerant. I say MOST because my cat MooShoo is not. He'll eat everything from ice cream (not chocolate) to yogurt to smoothies made with skim milk. Every cat is different. Moo just happens to be a junk food kitty. :p

One way to clear up the diarrhea is feed them rice. Or you can also give them Pepto Bismal, which is what I gave my cat Casey when he was only 6 weeks old at the advice of my vet. It worked like a charm in small doses.

Good luck with your kitty!