Cat just gave birth, but half died

[irenepaark]

Hi my cat just gave birth to her second litter on March 1st. I was at work all day and when I came home I saw that two had already died. Three were breastfeeding and several hours later she gave birth to a runt. The runt we had to hand feed kitten formula several times and eventually it was able to breastfeed from the mom. Everything seemed okay for the four kittens but today when I came home I saw that one more had passed away. It wasn't even the runt and it was always breastfeeding and was one of the bigger kittens. I'm extremely heartbroken as none of the kittens from the first litter (total of 5) had any issues. I know of fading cat syndrome but I just didn't think it would ever happen to us. Is there anything I can do to prevent it? Is this common? Are all the kittens in the litter then prone to fading cat syndrome? I buried all three and I can't bear to do another.. I'm extremely emotional and I am so depressed over the whole ordeal. Anything would help, even kind words. Just thinking about those kittens in the cold dirt just makes me crazy. I want to be with them and watch them 24/7 but I work and go to school it's very hard. Please give me some advice or words of encouragement. Thank you a million times.

 

[Jcatbird]

I am so sorry you lost babies. Sadly no litter is guaranteed but also, losing some does not always mean the others will go. Can you tell if mom is producing milk? If not or if it isn’t enough, you can supplement feeding. Is mom staying with the babies as she needs to and otherwise acting as she did with the first litter? Keeping the babies warm? Washing tummies and bottoms properly? Sometimes moms nipples can get clogged too. Inflammation can be an issue. This may strike you a bit odd but taking a second to “milk” a tiny bit of milk from mom could help answer some questions. If the flow is coming and her nipples look healthy, that’s a plus.
Mom seems strong and energetic? Getting plenty of food and fluids in her? No lethargy?
A vet check can tell you if all is in order. Sometimes kittens are just born with internal problems. It can be just one or two. It does not mean you’ll lose the others. Observe mom and babies, get a vet check and then know that adding anything that could be lacking is all you really can do. You’re doing great by watching over them. Nature just tends to take those that cannot make it well in order to help the others to be healthy and strong babies. Losing babies is so hard. Please do post back with any questions or updates. I’m sure others will be along with more information and support., My heart is with you.

 

[Sarthur2]

I’m so sorry you lost the kittens. These things just happen sometimes for no obvious reason. Hopefully the remaining kittens will thrive.

Do you have plans to spay mom after this litter?

 

[Joan M]

Oh, how awful. I'm sure it's really hard. Jcatbird had wonderful advice. Try not to think about the ones who have gone, think about the ones still here. Maybe that will help.

 

[Bratcat31]

Hi my cat just gave birth to her second litter on March 1st. I was at work all day and when I came home I saw that two had already died. Three were breastfeeding and several hours later she gave birth to a runt. The runt we had to hand feed kitten formula several times and eventually it was able to breastfeed from the mom. Everything seemed okay for the four kittens but today when I came home I saw that one more had passed away. It wasn't even the runt and it was always breastfeeding and was one of the bigger kittens. I'm extremely heartbroken as none of the kittens from the first litter (total of 5) had any issues. I know of fading cat syndrome but I just didn't think it would ever happen to us. Is there anything I can do to prevent it? Is this common? Are all the kittens in the litter then prone to fading cat syndrome? I buried all three and I can't bear to do another.. I'm extremely emotional and I am so depressed over the whole ordeal. Anything would help, even kind words. Just thinking about those kittens in the cold dirt just makes me crazy. I want to be with them and watch them 24/7 but I work and go to school it's very hard. Please give me some advice or words of encouragement. Thank you a million times.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Please weigh the remaining kittens if you aren't already. I've learned that latching does not equal nursing. Babies can and do latch onto nipples without actually getting enough milk to sustain them. Weighing them should help you know if they are, at least, getting enough milk to grow.

 

[StefanZ]

Agree, weighting them is essential, so you know for sure if they eat properly, or if you must supplement / hand feed them.

Get home glucose sugar / dextrose, its helpful in many situations with weak kittens. If you cant find it (may be difficult in USA, so white caro syrup or honey works too.

 

[jefferd18]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is so upsetting to see any animal die- especially a baby.

When I was a child my family had a similar experience with a mother cat.. She started out with four healthy kittens and then one by one they would die. My family was very distraught and my parents ended up taking the mother cat and the one remaining kitten to our vet. It turns out that mom kitty was carrier of distemper- she wasn't affected by it, but her kittens were. We took the last one away from her and bottle fed him formula with a little antibiotic mixed in.

 

[irenepaark]

I am so sorry you lost babies. Sadly no litter is guaranteed but also, losing some does not always mean the others will go. Can you tell if mom is producing milk? If not or if it isn’t enough, you can supplement feeding. Is mom staying with the babies as she needs to and otherwise acting as she did with the first litter? Keeping the babies warm? Washing tummies and bottoms properly? Sometimes moms nipples can get clogged too. Inflammation can be an issue. This may strike you a bit odd but taking a second to “milk” a tiny bit of milk from mom could help answer some questions. If the flow is coming and her nipples look healthy, that’s a plus.
Mom seems strong and energetic? Getting plenty of food and fluids in her? No lethargy?
A vet check can tell you if all is in order. Sometimes kittens are just born with internal problems. It can be just one or two. It does not mean you’ll lose the others. Observe mom and babies, get a vet check and then know that adding anything that could be lacking is all you really can do. You’re doing great by watching over them. Nature just tends to take those that cannot make it well in order to help the others to be healthy and strong babies. Losing babies is so hard. Please do post back with any questions or updates. I’m sure others will be along with more information and support., My heart is with you.

Hi, thank you so much for all of this it means so much to see that you took the time to read and type it. She is keeping the babies warm and I haven't been able to see her wash their bottoms because she moved them to the closet now but I think she is doing it properly. I've been monitoring them when I can and they're always suckling or sleeping together. I also watch the temperature now and try to keep it at around 86 degrees fahrenheit. Is this too hot actually, if they're with their mother already? Tomorrow will be their 7th day of being born. I always make sure food and water and kitty milk is accessible to the mother but I think her appetite is a lot less than before. Unless she is just always eating whenever I'm not around.
How do I milk her without hurting her? What should it look like/how should it come out?

Again, thank you so much. Reading your comment made me tear up.
Thank you.

 

[irenepaark]

I’m so sorry you lost the kittens. These things just happen sometimes for no obvious reason. Hopefully the remaining kittens will thrive.

Do you have plans to spay mom after this litter?

Thank you. I know but wow so unfair.. They never got a chance at life.. I sincerely hope they will grow strong and healthy as well. Yes I want to 100% but I was unsure of when to spay her because she was still breastfeeding. Do you perhaps know how long I should wait after to spay her? I also have two other kittens from the first litter I must spay though so I'm trying to find a low-cost clinic since moneys tight.

Thank you so much.

 

[irenepaark]

Oh, how awful. I'm sure it's really hard. Jcatbird had wonderful advice. Try not to think about the ones who have gone, think about the ones still here. Maybe that will help.

Thank you... I know, I must try to move on. I made them a little grave and put flowers on them to give me peace of mind. It makes me think I was at least able to do something for them.

 

[irenepaark]

Agree, weighting them is essential, so you know for sure if they eat properly, or if you must supplement / hand feed them.

Get home glucose sugar / dextrose, its helpful in many situations with weak kittens. If you cant find it (may be difficult in USA, so white caro syrup or honey works too.

I started to weigh them 2 days ago! As of last night (3/6) they were 132 g, 198 g, and 164g. Since they were born on the first that was their sixth day? The fifth day? Is that a good weight for them to be at ? Also, what do I do with the honey/glucose sugar/dextrose?

Thank you x100.

 

[irenepaark]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is so upsetting to see any animal die- especially a baby.

When I was a child my family had a similar experience with a mother cat.. She started out with four healthy kittens and then one by one they would die. My family was very distraught and my parents ended up taking the mother cat and the one remaining kitten to our vet. It turns out that mom kitty was carrier of distemper- she wasn't affected by it, but her kittens were. We took the last one away from her and bottle fed him formula with a little antibiotic mixed in.

Oh my goodness... that must've been sooo heartbreaking and shocking I cannot even imagine. I'm sorry to hear that My cat's first litter, some of them tested positive for FIV (later tested negative), do you think that can play a factor?

Thank you for your empathy.

 

[Norachan]

How do I milk her without hurting her? What should it look like/how should it come out?

Get a warm damp towel. Fold it up to make a compress and hold it against her nipples for about 30 seconds. Then gently squeeze her nipple between thumb and forefinger. The milk should come out easily and be the same thickness as cows milk. If it is thicker that you would expect, has a strange colour or smell, contains any streaks of blood or doesn't come out with a gentle squeeze Mum may have a blockage or infection.

In that case you need to take her to the vet. Infections can be treated with antibiotics but they can be fatal for mum and kittens if you don't catch them in time.

Do you have KMR? If there is a problem with her milk you will have to syringe feed the kittens.

Cats will have a heat cycle while still nursing a litter, so you need to get her spayed quickly, particularly if she has outdoor access or there are un-fixed male cats around. I usually do this when the kittens are around 6 weeks old and starting to wean.

If you could let us know which city you are in we'll try and help you find a low cost clinic for all of your cats.

How To Save Your Cat From These 16 Life-threatening Pregnancy Risks – Cat Articles
Post-birth Complications In Cats – Cat Articles

 

[Jcatbird]

First let me give you a link to help here in the site with information. TCS Resources Thread - Pregnant Cats & Kitten Care Articles and Threads

 

[irenepaark]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Please weigh the remaining kittens if you aren't already. I've learned that latching does not equal nursing. Babies can and do latch onto nipples without actually getting enough milk to sustain them. Weighing them should help you know if they are, at least, getting enough milk to grow.

Hi thank you,
I started to weigh them! It has only been twice though and tonight will be the third time. How much should they be gaining a day? As of last night they were 132g, 164g, and 198g.
Thank you again <3

 

[irenepaark]

Get a warm damp towel. Fold it up to make a compress and hold it against her nipples for about 30 seconds. Then gently squeeze her nipple between thumb and forefinger. The milk should come out easily and be the same thickness as cows milk. If it is thicker that you would expect, has a strange colour or smell, contains any streaks of blood or doesn't come out with a gentle squeeze Mum may have a blockage or infection.

In that case you need to take her to the vet. Infections can be treated with antibiotics but they can be fatal for mum and kittens if you don't catch them in time.

Do you have KMR? If there is a problem with her milk you will have to syringe feed the kittens.

Cats will have a heat cycle while still nursing a litter, so you need to get her spayed quickly, particularly if she has outdoor access or there are un-fixed male cats around. I usually do this when the kittens are around 6 weeks old and starting to wean.

If you could let us know which city you are in we'll try and help you find a low cost clinic for all of your cats.

How To Save Your Cat From These 16 Life-threatening Pregnancy Risks – Cat Articles
Post-birth Complications In Cats – Cat Articles

Thank you so much this is all such helpful information. Once she comes out of the closet to eat I will try and do that. She's a bit fussy though and never lets me carry her or touch her stomach so hopefully it will be okay.. I didn't know they could have a heat cycle still that makes so much sense. This is so sweet, am located in Buena Park, California if that helps.
Bless you!!!

 

[Jcatbird]

I actually see that Norachan posted about the same time I did. She can give you great information about the babies. Please do keep us updated. We all care very much as to how you are all doing. I’ll be checking back. I don’t know where you are located but if you need help finding lower cost spaying, we can help you check around for that. If you know how to google “Spay and Neuter clinics” and then type in that and the name of your location, You may find assistance that way. Mom needs to be spayed before being let outside again. They can come back into heat within weeks but right now, make sure everyone is getting all they need and healthy first. Just don’t let mom kitty outside.

Wow! Lol We are both typing at the same time.
I think the kittens need to gain 10 g plus per day. I’m not an expert but that info is here on the site.
I’ll see if I can find a Spay clinic in your area.

 

[StefanZ]

I started to weigh them 2 days ago! As of last night (3/6) they were 132 g, 198 g, and 164g. Since they were born on the first that was their sixth day? The fifth day? Is that a good weight for them to be at ? Also, what do I do with the honey/glucose sugar/dextrose?

Thank you x100.

The weights seems good. A healthy kitten adds 10+ grammes a day. Some few adds quite more! But if its much less - beware and be prepared to supplement... The most important is to notice the changes day to day.

Glucose is useful in many situations; for example: if a kitten is weak or even fading; give it a little glucose-solution, or a droplet of caro on its gum... The glucose sugar goes directly into blood already from the mouth.
A drop of low blood sugar is not unusual, and may cause a fading kitten syndrome.

You can give a glucose sugar solution to a kitten too cold for regular feeding.

You can add a little to the usual kmr / kmr, and give it this way some calories for free. Useful for a weak kitten which dont manage to eat enough.

You can give this to a kitten more or less dying, where the digestion has stopped, and thus giving food is antiproductive...
BUT continuing to give food is a must, because its the only chance to survive...
The solution is to give it a pedialyte containing glucose sugar, or home made glucose solution... Its no remedy; if the kitten is dying for real so its dying for real, but if its not dying for real - this will buy you time. As a kitten, - or anyone else, may survive several days on glucose as the only source of fuel... They cant grow on glucose alone, but they can survive a couple of days on glucose alone.


Sugar water may work too, but real glucose sugar / dextrose is best; it works instantly already in the mouth, and its not so sweet, so you can give more than say, honey... The kitten wont protest.

 

[irenepaark]

The weights seems good. A healthy kitten adds 10+ grammes a day. Some few adds quite more! But if its much less - beware and be prepared to supplement... The most important is to notice the changes day to day.

Glucose is useful in many situations; for example: if a kitten is weak or even fading; give it a little glucose-solution, or a droplet of caro on its gum... The glucose sugar goes directly into blood already from the mouth.
A drop of low blood sugar is not unusual, and may cause a fading kitten syndrome.

You can give a glucose sugar solution to a kitten too cold for regular feeding.

You can add a little to the usual kmr / kmr, and give it this way some calories for free. Useful for a weak kitten which dont manage to eat enough.

You can give this to a kitten more or less dying, where the digestion has stopped, and thus giving food is antiproductive...
BUT continuing to give food is a must, because its the only chance to survive...
The solution is to give it a pedialyte containing glucose sugar, or home made glucose solution... Its no remedy; if the kitten is dying for real so its dying for real, but if its not dying for real - this will buy you time. As a kitten, - or anyone else, may survive several days on glucose as the only source of fuel... They cant grow on glucose alone, but they can survive a couple of days on glucose alone.


Sugar water may work too, but real glucose sugar / dextrose is best; it works instantly already in the mouth, and its not so sweet, so you can give more than say, honey... The kitten wont protest.

Hi I just weighed them and all but two of them seem to be growing normally. One of them only gained 1 gram within a day but it’s still sucking from the mom as I type this. I’m very worried.. I’m scared overnight it will pass.. I don’t have the dextrose on me, if i’m understanding you correctly, can I put honey on it’s gums? I apologize it that isn’t what you meant. It also stopped suckling as I type now. I’m scared it’s slowly losing strength. Everytime I carry it, it cries a lot.

I actually see that Norachan posted about the same time I did. She can give you great information about the babies. Please do keep us updated. We all care very much as to how you are all doing. I’ll be checking back. I don’t know where you are located but if you need help finding lower cost spaying, we can help you check around for that. If you know how to google “Spay and Neuter clinics” and then type in that and the name of your location, You may find assistance that way. Mom needs to be spayed before being let outside again. They can come back into heat within weeks but right now, make sure everyone is getting all they need and healthy first. Just don’t let mom kitty outside.

Wow! Lol We are both typing at the same time.
I think the kittens need to gain 10 g plus per day. I’m not an expert but that info is here on the site.
I’ll see if I can find a Spay clinic in your area.

Thank you i will definitely look into that. One of my kittens though have stopped growing (only gained 1 g in a day) and seems to be a lot less food needy compared to it’s siblings. I’m very worried, Im scared it will pass during the night and its already almost 5 am. What should I do??

I see that they all slightly opened their eyes and that makes me wish even more that they survive. However I haven’t been able to see the mom wash their bottoms correctly yet— i’m worried she’s not. So i tried doing it myself with a warm wet rag but maybe I’m doing it wrong? Nothing happens and they just keep crying/yelping.

 

[StefanZ]

Hi I just weighed them and all but two of them seem to be growing normally. One of them only gained 1 gram within a day but it’s still sucking from the mom as I type this. I’m very worried.. I’m scared overnight it will pass.. I don’t have the dextrose on me, if i’m understanding you correctly, can I put honey on it’s gums? I apologize it that isn’t what you meant. It also stopped suckling as I type now. I’m scared it’s slowly losing strength. Everytime I carry it, it cries a lot.

Yea a
Droplet honey on gum is ok, it will dissolve itself after a while. Or give water with some honey in, if you can get it to drink. Not too sweet, so you barely feel its sweet. You can also add a tiny trifle salt.