Flat Chested Kitten Syndrome??

   Fatefone, your little guy is looking so cute and amazing.      You are doing incredibly well and he is unbelievably lucky to be with you.  I know how big my grin is and I know that it won't have a patch on yours @fatedone  or @catwoman707  !    

(I should perhaps explain my interest here and background to my comments - I have many years experience working with disabled people and particularly children.  This includes experience and training in splinting / position management for children to optimise their development.  With my love of cats I can't help but be fascinated with kitten development, esp when principles of splinting are used to help them develop).  

I guess my next update will be when I show the vet his progress in 2 weeks (the vet didn't think he'd make it). What are the signs he'll be ready to not wear the jacket anymore?

fatedone said:

I guess my next update will be when I show the vet his progress in 2 weeks (the vet didn't think he'd make it). What are the signs he'll be ready to not wear the jacket anymore?

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Funny that crossed my mind a few minutes ago too, how most vets truly are not helpful in baby kittens, I've seen it time after time.

It's us rescue people who work so hard to save every life that is born, rather than basically dismissing them as 'well it happens, it's nature's way' and so on.

Same thing with swimmers foot, babies have such soft bones they can also be splinted and repaired many times the same way.

It won't take long, when the chest structure is rounded as it is becoming now, and is forced to grow rounded, it will automatically take over and not need the assistance of the vest to convince it to grow right, it will be doing so on it's own.

Without seeing him, my guess will be a full week of shaping his chest, a proper fit adjusted every 2 days, he should be ready to not need it anymore.

If you take it away and every so often look as well as check his breathing, making certain it does not need a bit more 'influencing' to continue growing correctly, it will be over with.

Just be sure it has had a long enough time to take over where the vest left off.

Of course if you do notice it not looking as rounded, or his breathing starts going up then start it again, for another week.

Oh I meant to ask you, how is his daily weight gain? VERY important to keep his muscles strong.

Catwoman707's experience here sounds very logical to me, and once nature has taken hold of the assistance given your little guy should grow nicely without the restictions of the jacket.

You don't want to be over cautious and keep pressure from a jacket on longer once his chest seems to be be well rounded:  you start to risk pressure causing growth in other directions that you do not want.  His bones continue to be soft while he is growing rapidly, so like catwoman707 says, if you start to see his chest flatten again you can start putting a vest back on to help until the ribs re-shape again.  Because he is now up and active an increasing amount of time there will be less pressure on his chest, like catwoman707 said in one of her earlier posts.  The more he is awake and playing, and sleeps in various positions so weight does not always press his chest / thorax down in the same way each time he rests,  the the rib cage has a good chance of growing normally and giving his lungs and heart the space they need to be healthy without his little vest to help. 

I look forward to hearing what you vet says about him the next time you visit!

catwoman707 mservant

He weighs 306g today, which breaks down to about 10g gained per day on average. And that's 211g gained from birth weight (95g). I think in ounces he's a little over 10. My scale won't do ounces though and I'm horrible at math. Lol!

So I will make the best judgement I can of when to take his jacket off. I will keep my eyes on him though so he doesn't revert back to being a pancake. I will keep adjusting for a week and then take it off. If I feel like it's doing more harm than good before then, I will take it off.

fatedone said:

@catwoman707 @MServant

He weighs 306g today, which breaks down to about 10g gained per day on average. And that's 211g gained from birth weight (95g). I think in ounces he's a little over 10. My scale won't do ounces though and I'm horrible at math. Lol!

So I will make the best judgement I can of when to take his jacket off. I will keep my eyes on him though so he doesn't revert back to being a pancake. I will keep adjusting for a week and then take it off. If I feel like it's doing more harm than good before then, I will take it off.

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Yaay!! That is excellent weight gain!!

It won't cause him any harm, just as long as it is adjusted constantly to ensure growing/breathing room. Things are looking fabulous

He's a lover and I'm so proud of him.

fatedone said:

He's a lover and I'm so proud of him.

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   You deserve every hug he gives you!  How precious is he?!   He is a lovely healthy weight and sprouting by the day, what more could you have hoped for.  You are an awesome team @fatedone  and @catwoman707.   I reckon he's going to be squashing his sister very soon. LoL   How magic is it to be able to think about them playing together.  

Thanks @MServant  !!

@fatedone  I meant to ask you, how does mom feel about her baby having this vest on? 

fatedone said:

@Mani This is the first I've taken it off and I've left his little shirt on to show the roundness better. What do you think?

 

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It's hard to tell, but you can see it, obviously.  I'm so thrilled for you and this little one.

Mom doesn't mind. She can't take it off though like the horse wrap. Lol.

GREAT

How's he doing?

5 children and this - you go woman!!! 

This is one of the most interesting threads I've read over the last year.   Flat kitten syndrome - I've never heard of such a thing!  Wonderful to hear the kitten is doing so well!

Reba said:

 
5 children and this - you go woman!!! 

This is one of the most interesting threads I've read over the last year.   Flat kitten syndrome - I've never heard of such a thing!  Wonderful to hear the kitten is doing so well!

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FCK syndrome. Not all that rare either actually.

Not exactly common but not so rare, especially in preemies.

catwoman707 said:

 
FCK syndrome. Not all that rare either actually.

Not exactly common but not so rare, especially in preemies.

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The veterinary articles I have read state FCK syndrome affects 3% to 4% of Burmese kittens but is poorly documented other than this despite being known about by breeders.  A smaller % of kittens have the more severe pectus excavatum where the ribs curl inwards, and possibly also spinal curvature.  The research that has been gathered does support the 3 week milestone as a positive indicator for survival so all fingers and toes crossed for our determined young kitten here!  

Looks like he is 3 weeks, 2 days old now   Looks pretty darn promising!   

He is doing wonderfully! I love waking up in the middle of the night to one kitten tangled in my hair and one attacking my feet (Fonzie). I said to him, "I'm the one that helped you, remember!?" His 4 teeth are so sharp that I have tiny scratches on my poor toes from him. And the girl..... oh my gosh, who needs a mom when you have long hair to get wrapped in?! My bed is on the floor, because of my human babies, and now I want it back on the frame! LOL! I'm taking some photos now to post. They are dolls! Fonzie's rpm matches his sister's so I'm betting he is back on track! His silver markings are getting more prominent and he's beautiful!!!

   Great update.      Me oh my, your bed time sounds like kitten heaven but you do need to thinkn about all-round tucked in sheets to protect your toes!  Either that or chain mail socks.  LoL.  It sounds like Fonzie is now full of beans and your next challenge is going to be keeping up with his play energy.      Excellent.   

Looking forward to the latest photos.