I had posted a bit back about my litter of five inbred kittens. We are still holding at two, but one is clearly much better off than the other. Red collar male plays, jumps, purrs, and uses the litter box reliably. He weighs 1 lb 5 oz.. Green collar male only weighs 15 oz. He eats and drinks, but does not use the litter box reliably. He does not play. He huddles in the corner and protests when his brother tries to play with him.
These kittens are going on 3 months old, too, but clearly half, or less, the size they ought to be and developmentally delayed. My question to those who foster kittens is would you consider euthanizing green collar or just waiting it out?
I doubt he will ever thrive at this point. He hasn't died, but I wonder about his quality of life. Life for a cat should be about more than just not dying. I don't want to cut short his chances but I also don't want him to continue (if he is suffering) to suffer.
To complicate things further, I don't want to have to raise red collar as a lonely-only. A pathetic tiny brother is better than no sibling at all, right? But then it's not like red collar is getting the companionship he craves since green collar won't wrestle or chase. I'm wondering if I could euthanize green collar and find red collar a buddy of like size at the shelter and just do that.
It really is breaking my heart. I hate euthanizing cats, I hate euthanizing kittens even more. But this guy's chances of survival and thriving seem so very remote that it may not be much of a point in trying to keep him alive.
We are way in the red, budget-wise, so I am reluctant to consult a vet. Also, I feel that there are two types of vets out there: one who will suggest outlandish and expensive treatments that MIGHT work and one who will just say cut your losses now and euthanize the kitten.
Any thoughts? Of a helpful nature?
These kittens are going on 3 months old, too, but clearly half, or less, the size they ought to be and developmentally delayed. My question to those who foster kittens is would you consider euthanizing green collar or just waiting it out?
I doubt he will ever thrive at this point. He hasn't died, but I wonder about his quality of life. Life for a cat should be about more than just not dying. I don't want to cut short his chances but I also don't want him to continue (if he is suffering) to suffer.
To complicate things further, I don't want to have to raise red collar as a lonely-only. A pathetic tiny brother is better than no sibling at all, right? But then it's not like red collar is getting the companionship he craves since green collar won't wrestle or chase. I'm wondering if I could euthanize green collar and find red collar a buddy of like size at the shelter and just do that.
It really is breaking my heart. I hate euthanizing cats, I hate euthanizing kittens even more. But this guy's chances of survival and thriving seem so very remote that it may not be much of a point in trying to keep him alive.
We are way in the red, budget-wise, so I am reluctant to consult a vet. Also, I feel that there are two types of vets out there: one who will suggest outlandish and expensive treatments that MIGHT work and one who will just say cut your losses now and euthanize the kitten.
Any thoughts? Of a helpful nature?