Disease that's wiping out recent kitten colony

We recently rescued many feral kittens from a colony in a community garden in New York.

It was noted that there were approximately 3 litters spawned in about 3 months .

Just one week ago all those kittens started to get very sick and started dying off. Even the ones that we rescued and had been caring for. The ones we rescued had reached seemingly healthy states and were just fine up until a few days ago and they began to die.

I am completely puzzled over this situation, simply because I don't know enough about the subject of feral disease and what types are out their other than FIV.

Does this situation sound familiar to anyone out there?

The only kitten that survived is one that I picked up almost immediately after she was born, because just a day after the birth (I'm guessing the kitten could not have been more than a few days old) there was a bad storm and the mother was spotted, franticly moving the kittens to covered area. She left one behind and did not come back for it (the one I picked up).

I bottle fed and cared for her to adolecence. She is strong and well.

But the ones that grew up in the garden are all dying...

What could it be?


Sincerely,

SilverSong

Does this situation sound familiar to anyone out there?

The only kitten that survived is one that I picked up almost immediately after she was born, because just a day after the birth (I'm guessing the kitten could not have been more than a few days old) there was a bad storm and the mother was spotted, franticly moving the kittens to covered area. She left one behind and did not come back for it (the one I picked up).

I bottle fed and cared for her to adolecence. She is strong and well.

But the ones that grew up in the garden are all dying...

What could it be?

Click to expand...

Often such infections will "cull" a colony, especially if there's a high incidence of FIV/FELV--kittens are especially vulnerable. The one you picked up might have avoided the infection simply by not having been exposed to the others long enough. Luck of the draw, it seems to me, and nature's calculus is often cruel. When she's old enough, though, check her for FIV/FELV--both are transmissible in utero, but young kittens often exhibit "false positives"....

Oh that is so sad..poor homeless babies.

Originally Posted by SilverSong

We recently rescued many feral kittens from a colony in a community garden in New York.

It was noted that there were approximately 3 litters spawned in about 3 months .

Just one week ago all those kittens started to get very sick and started dying off. Even the ones that we rescued and had been caring for. The ones we rescued had reached seemingly healthy states and were just fine up until a few days ago and they began to die.

I am completely puzzled over this situation, simply because I don't know enough about the subject of feral disease and what types are out their other than FIV.

Does this situation sound familiar to anyone out there?

The only kitten that survived is one that I picked up almost immediately after she was born, because just a day after the birth (I'm guessing the kitten could not have been more than a few days old) there was a bad storm and the mother was spotted, franticly moving the kittens to covered area. She left one behind and did not come back for it (the one I picked up).

I bottle fed and cared for her to adolecence. She is strong and well.

But the ones that grew up in the garden are all dying...

What could it be?


Sincerely,

SilverSong

Click to expand...

Honestly...sounds like feline Panleukopenia:

Kittens are especially susceptible to feline distemper because their immune systems are underdeveloped. They may even contract the disease from their mother before birth. Older cats tend to have developed an immunity over time and are less susceptible, but it is still possible for them to contract the disease at any age.

Symptoms typically show up within 10 days of infection. The first symptoms to appear are usually a high fever, and loss of appetite. Symptoms can vary, they may also include vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. This disease can kill very rapidly, and is very common. Any cat that is behaving abnormally or has any symptoms should be taken to a vet immediately. A diagnosis is obtained by ruling out other diseases through blood tests and considering vaccination history and exposure. There is no cure for feline distemper , but supportive treatment through fluids and antibiotics can help the cat survive.

http://www.starbreezes.com/11/fdistemper.html

I am truly sorry that all the kittens died.

Katie

I was thinking Distemper also, I'm so sorry about all the babies

is your group trapping and altering the adults as well as rescuing kittens?

Sounds like distemper to me, too. Poor little lovers.

Yes! I was thinking immediately:
Feline Distemper (Feline Panleukopenia)

The EXACT same thing, happened to the colony of cats and kittens at the grainmill at the edge of our town, this past spring. We have captured, neutered/spayed SO many of them. Found homes for the less feral ones, and released the ones who were too wild, back at the mill, after also getting them updated on shots, flea control, worms etc.... BUT, with the bikepath that runs right by this old grainmill, people are constantly dumping off cats and kittens there
Last year, we were working on controlling a colony of about 50 cats. We did trap and find homes for about 20 of them. About 20 were released back at the mill and all had a 'visit' to the Vet. So, this spring, we had maybe 45 after the winter. Well.....right now, we have MAYBE 15 cats there
--And it WAS Feline Distemper. The Vet said, that as long as the mothers are nursing and giving immunity to the kittens, the kittens will usually survive. But, once the nursing mother stops, the immunity stops and they haven't had time to build up their own immunity. At our colony, the older cats who were a bit heathier(OR had gotten some shots at the Vet), did survive it...
I am truly sorry about your colony of kitties and hope this won't happen soon to you all again, as I KNOW how much work is involved in resueing cats and kittens!