This is common in kittens that are being hand reared as a mother cat will stimulate the anal region after every two or three feeds and humans do not stimulate as many times. The longer the feces stays in the body, the harder it gets, and thus the tougher it gets for the kitten to pass it. This can give the kitten a hard, distended abdomen and even cause the anus to prolapse.
If the kittens have not passed feces for 48 hours, give them a small dose of liquid paraffin (0.5 ml per feed) or feline laxative (Katalax) during the next 48 - 72 hours. Reduce this if bowel motions return to normal at any time during the duration. You could also insert a small amount of warm Vaseline (or other petroleum jelly) into the anus. If this keeps recurring, take the kittens to a vet as they may need a treatment of glycerin enema.
If the kittens have not passed feces for 48 hours, give them a small dose of liquid paraffin (0.5 ml per feed) or feline laxative (Katalax) during the next 48 - 72 hours. Reduce this if bowel motions return to normal at any time during the duration. You could also insert a small amount of warm Vaseline (or other petroleum jelly) into the anus. If this keeps recurring, take the kittens to a vet as they may need a treatment of glycerin enema.
