5 Week Old Kittens Die Suddenly

by Perrin Stephens
(Park Ridge, IL USA)

We are a cat foster family and on New Year's Eve we brought home three 5 week old kittens to care for until ready for adoption. We were told that they were found outside with a fourth kitten and no mother. The fourth kitten died prior to us getting the other three. Last night one of three died and the other two died this eveing within a couple of hours of each other and I'm searching for why. I have done a little research and the only thing that I can think of is cat distemper. Is there any other cause that could have taken these precious little angels?

Answer by Kate
Sorry to hear the passing of these three small and precious lives.

However I am afraid i cannot give you an answer as i am not a vet and from what i understand there are many reasons why a litter could die so quickly. it could be genetic, there are some things which are not viasble to the eye but could have been there from birth, especailly if the mother cat was living rough and was not able to nourish herself properly.
It could be hyperthermia, dehydration or some other virus. as you know kittens are very vunerable to illness during the early days and if they were not getting the first milk of there mother etc they could have picked up something which they had no immunity for.

Sorry i cannot be of more help

Best wishes Kate

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