Vicky's kittens were fine last night. This morning I heard constant rhythmic crying from the room and when I went in I found one of the kittens apart from the others, cold and crying constantly. I am trying to warm her up but it seems quite clear that she is dying.

It's the one I wanted to keep as well.

What I am worried about now is that there is no sign of anything wrong on this kitten - the only slight abnormality is that she still has the umbilical cord attached and her eyes were slow to open. Losing one kitten is bad, losing the others would be devastating especially because 1. Vicky is such a devoted mother and has not left the kitten pen at all yet. I dread to think what state she will be in if she loses the whole litter, and 2. I really wanted this litter and Vicky had to have a caesarean - her second. If I try again it is almost certain that we will end up with a third caesarean and I don't even know if that is safe let alone fair.

Before I go into the vet, is there anything anyone can suggest that might be responsible for a kitten fading at this stage, that I might suggest to the vet?

Liz

Oh no...
I know you are experienced, so you may well have already thought of this, but at the risk of sounding patronising, have you looked to see if it has a cleft pallet?

I'm very sorry your kitten is not doing well The only things I can think of are some sort of underlying infection, or maybe a heart murmur? I'm sure you've already thought of those and listened to her chest. I will keep everything crossed for you and the little one.

__________________

Well no I hadn't, but at 11 days?? Anyway I just looked - can't see anything (apart from the fact that she is very pale but that will be because she is so cold). I did notice, checking Mum this morning, that Mum doesn't seem to have much milk, though the other two ktitens seem to have full tummies. Obviously I shall see if they need supplementing.

Liz

Yeah I know 11 days seems old for my suggestion, but I lost my kitten at 8 days due to a cleft pallet, the vet told me that they can be fine in the beginning, but as they grow the holes get bigger and they loose suction in the mouth. But that’s good that you can’t see a hole. I do hope the kitten is okay.

Any news yet Liz?

Poor baby - keeping my fingers crossed for you

Louise
X

Oh I am so so sorry I just don't know what I can say Just pray for them and mum xx

Update - the kitten had a massive heart murmur. Actually I feel rather dense because, once the vet pointed it out, yes she was a lot smaller than the others, yes the fact that the umbilicus is still attached might mean Mum has paid less attention to her, and yes she was usually to be found further away from Mum than the other two.

The vet has put her on heat and put glucose under her skin, but it seems a rather pointless exercise to me. She was a blue shaded silver Tiffanie, jsut what I wanted to keep :-( - and with a lovely firm deep chin too.

The others have been checked and they are fine.



Liz