Fading Kitten Syndrome – A Risk to Newborn Kittens

Fading kitten syndrome (FKS) can affect vulnerable newborn kittens in the early stages of life.  The first four weeks of life is the most perilous time for baby kittens.  They face so many developmental and physiological challenges that can easily shorten their young lives.

Have you ever noticed that one kitten in a litter that seems weaker than its siblings?  Or have you seen a newborn kitten that simply gets rejected by its mother?  Or maybe there’s one kitten you’ve care for that simply died without any known cause.  

FKS can be especially devastating to human foster parents.  They’ve spent time bottle feeding and caring for a litter of baby kittens.  Yet despite their best intentions, there is usually one kitten that appears sicker and less active than the others.

What is Fading Kitten Syndrome?

FKS is not really one disease or condition.  It is a term used to describe a variety of factors that lead to problems with kitten growth and development. A fading kitten is simply a kitten that fails to thrive.  A kitten with FKS can die suddenly or may have a more gradual decline in health.

What Causes Fading Kitten Syndrome?

There is no one cause of FKS.  A variety of factors play a role in whether kittens survive during the first few critical weeks. Prenatal infections are thought to be a large contributor to the development of FKS.  Unfortunately, sick mom cats (queens) tend to birth sick kittens. Feline infectious peritonitis and feline distemper can both be passed from mother to offspring.

Hypothermia can also bring about a fading kitten. In the first few weeks of life, kittens have difficulty regulating body temperature on their own.  Without maintaining enough body heat, kittens can develop low blood sugar and die.

Poor feeding and dehydration play a large role in the development of FKS. Kittens need to have adequate hydration and nutrition to thrive.  Water and nutrients are usually provided through a queen’s milk supply.  If a mom cat cannot nurse her kittens, they can fade quickly.

Congenital problems like cleft palate and heart conditions can take a kitten’s life hastily.  And with a heart ailment, you may never know that a baby kitten even has a medical condition until it is too late.

Parasites can wreak havoc on young kittens.  Parasites can literally drain a kitten dry of nutrients and blood.  An infestation of fleas, roundworms, tapeworms, or hookworms can easily kill a newborn kitten.

New queens generally take to mothering very well.  But, some never get the gist of being a mom.  Inexperienced cat moms can sometimes abandon their litters or may be too rough in handling their offspring. 

Can You Prevent Fading Kitten Syndrome?

Sometimes, no matter how much care is given to a newborn kitten, it may not survive.  But, there are a few steps that you can take to lessen the risk of FKS.

Want to know more about kitten health?  Visit All About Cute Kittens!

Photo Courtesy: Flóra Soós flickr.com