Whole litter sickness concern.

frankie the cat

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Hello all. I have been caring for a litter of 6 kittens. I have been socializing them and caring for them for several weeks. A few days ago I lost one of the male kittens. It could of been fading kitten syndrome but I am unsure. Today checking on the kittens, 4 of them are all lethargic, have no appetite, and seem to be isolating. These kittens were previously very playful and active so I am quite concerned.
Also the 5th kitten was laying down amd appeared to be dead. Flies were laying eggs all over him. I gave him a warm bath and removed most of the fly eggs. I have him wrapped in a towel on a heating pad in an attempt to keep him warm. I have syringed unflavored pedilyte into his mouth which he really didn't want to swallow. I have also been putting 3 drops of pancake syrup on his gums to try and give him a little perk.
I would really love any advice on what I could do to keep these kittens alive.
I have also spoken to the vet previously and told me he felt that the one kitten died of fading kitten syndrome. However I refuse to believe that the remaining 5 kittens (6 weeks old) are all fading at the same time.
Advice is very welcome
 

Maurey

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FKS is a misnomer, effectively. Or perhaps a catch all. It just means that the kitten died for an undetermined reason. It’s not some mysterious unpreventable/incurable condition. It most commonly results from infection or a birth defect. Given it’s all the kittens, they likely have some kind of URI or other infection or parasite. I’d suggest getting a second opinion from a cat-specialized vet and take them in. I doubt it’s something that can be treated with home care. Are you fostering for a rescue? If so, they may be able to recommend you a good vet.
 

catsknowme

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Good job on the syrup and Pedialyte and the warmth! What are the other symptoms, if any? Sometimes you have to try whatever you can - antibiotics followed in 2-4 hours with probiotics. You can reach out to a licensed holistic or naturopathic vet about trying herbals such as red raspberry leaf, lemon balm, marshmallow root and/or slippery elm - teas/decoctions are better than alcohol-preserved tinctures. Some rescuers add vit K and B1 and B6. Without a vet's advice, it would be guesswork but doing nothing points to an inevitable poor outcome. Please keep trying! And please keep updating! We are with you in thoughts and spirits! :grouphug2: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :cheerleader: :angel::grouphug:
 
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frankie the cat

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Good job on the syrup and Pedialyte and the warmth! What are the other symptoms, if any? Sometimes you have to try whatever you can - antibiotics followed in 2-4 hours with probiotics. You can reach out to a licensed holistic or naturopathic vet about trying herbals such as red raspberry leaf, lemon balm, marshmallow root and/or slippery elm - teas/decoctions are better than alcohol-preserved tinctures. Some rescuers add vit K and B1 and B6. Without a vet's advice, it would be guesswork but doing nothing points to an inevitable poor outcome. Please keep trying! And please keep updating! We are with you in thoughts and spirits! :grouphug2: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :cheerleader: :angel::grouphug:
The other 4 kittens aren't eating and are sleepy. But they aren't at the point where their body is limp. They just aren't running all over the place like they usually do. And as for the 5th kitten. He is the one that is currently fading. His body is limp but he is alive.
Just to give you a little information where these kittens came from...Their mother was dumped on my property as many cats are....or seem to seek me out. One day I opened up my door and they decided to come on in the house. Just all walked in🥰 and I have been helping their mom care for them ever since. I actually had 2 of them adopted but now I am uncertain as they will survive.
 

Sarthur2

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What your kittens have is probably viral. In fact, I suspect it may be panleukopenia. This is the third thread where kittens in this age range are suddenly becoming lethargic, vomiting, and even dying. If it is panleuk, the only cure is SUPPORTIVE care and time. This means pedialyte syringed hourly, and food such as Gerber turkey meat baby food given when/if they will take it.

It is tough for small kittens to survive due to their undeveloped immune systems. Many shelter cats receive this vaccine the minute they come in, even kittens as young as 4 weeks old, due to the highly contagious environment in shelters and rescues.

Here is a link to read about panleuk:

Feline panleukopenia

frankie the cat frankie the cat
 

catsknowme

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Godspeed and tailwinds west, little Joey - you are part of something bigger now, returned to the Creator, the ancestors and those yet to be born.
Is there any way to get them to a vet? Or at least get antibiotics? I have lost members of a litter but had others survive because they were on antibiotics (they don't help against virus but help knock out secondary infection).
Here's another article on panleukopenia (aka feline distemper; feline parvovirus).
Feline Panleukopenia (Distemper): Symptoms, Treatment + Prevention
 
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frankie the cat

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I am currently giving the kittens .2 mg of amoxicillin. I am also giving them pedilyte. Right now the 4 of them arw laying on a bed together on top of a heating pad. They appear to just be resting but I know their little bodies just don't have the energy to play. They still have no appetite and before I go to bed I will syringe feed them. I forgot to mention previously that I gave them some pyrantel also. So hopefully these babies will live to fight another day.
I intend on taking the kittens to the vet tomorrow should they survive the night.
 

Sarthur2

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The heating pad must be set on low and placed under a blanket. They cannot lie directly on it.

As sick as they are, I recommend that you syringe only pedialyte at 2-3mLs each every 2 hours through the night. Do not force it - they must swallow it slowly so they do not aspirate. If they will take more, give it. If they are too lethargic, put honey on their gums first for quick energy.

If a kitten appears to want more, you can try formula, but sheer hydration is more important at this point.

Plan for an essentially sleepless night. Wake the kittens to give the pedialyte. They may not survive otherwise.

Why did you give pyrantel to sick kittens?

Did you read the panleukopenia link I provided?

:vibes: :vibes: Prayers to you for tonight into tomorrow.

frankie the cat frankie the cat
 
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frankie the cat

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Thank you so much for your help! Sarthur2 Sarthur2 and catsknowme catsknowme ! I already have my alarm set to get up and give the kittens the pedialyte. Poor black nose ( never found a better name for him) is now just laying on his side and has no balance when he attempts to walk. He kinda just falls.... makes me sad.
The other 3 are cuddled together and appear to be in the same lethargic state they have been in all day. No better but no worse.
Makes me sad that one moment they were full of life and now....
 

Sarthur2

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They all sound terribly sick,so pedialyte, pedialyte, pedialyte. But not forced - a drop at a time. Let them swallow.

Get them to a vet tomorrow for more supportive care.

catsknowme catsknowme is up later than I as she is on California time. I am on Eastern time. Talk to her tonight. Let’s save the babies - one drop of fluid at a time!

In particular, the baby laying on its side. Can you put honey on gums and get it to take pedialyte? Or is it too far gone and dying?

catsknowme catsknowme

frankie the cat frankie the cat

:vibes: :vibes: That all goes well tonight.
 
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leo feliz

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i suggest you take them to a god vet. :rbheart:
have they been expsed to chemicals? they mighthave gotten kidney disease, nd if this were not online, i`d come check them up!!
 
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frankie the cat

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Just finished giving them all some fluids. Seems 2 out of the 4 are holding on better than the other 2. Hopefully when I get up again they will all still be with me.
 

catsknowme

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Often, gentle strokes and laying on your chest helps give them the strength to muster on. I take a warm, damp cloth and clean their bottoms, ears and faces, too; sometimes the bottom of their paws - it seems to encourage them greatly. Also, if they have a ticking clock tucked under a stuffed toy, they get additional comfort. If you have acidophilus on hand, you can try adding that.
 
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