First kitten in first litter died

vipn

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Our cat (Diggy from this post http://www.thecatsite.com/t/286111/help-with-my-cat#post_3648429) just gave birth to her first litter almost 2 days ago. She has 3 kittens which I thought were all in good condition. However, half an hour ago, the first kitten died. My mom said the our cat tried to bring that specific kitten in our room (where our cat usually stays) a few hours ago. My mom didn't think of it as alarming as she thought that she was just trying to bring her somewhere else. She didn't allow the cat to enter as she thought the AC will negatively affect the kittens. I've also noticed that this certain kitten often does not cuddle with the rest of his littermates.

I've read that it's not uncommon for kittens to die especially in the first litter. However, I can't help but worry. Should I be worried? Should I take our cat/the kittens to a vet?
 
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talkingpeanut

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You should weigh the kittens every 24 hours and see if they are gaining weight. If they are not, you will need to supplement them with kitten milk replacer and take over care. They will need to be fed every two hours and helped to potty, etc.

I really hope that you will consider spaying your cats. Family members will continue to reproduce, which is not healthy. Also, cats do not crave the experience of reproducing. Hormones in their body cause them a tremendous amount of stress, plus females can get very sick from going into heat. It is also dangerous for cats to have kittens too young.

If you want to have kittens in your life, many people foster pregnant cats. That way you are making a world of difference and not contributing to overpopulation.
 
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vipn

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You should weigh the kittens every 24 hours and see if they are gaining weight. If they are not, you will need to supplement them with kitten milk replacer and take over care. They will need to be fed every two hours and helped to potty, etc.

I really hope that you will consider spaying your cats. Family members will continue to reproduce, which is not healthy. Also, cats do not crave the experience of reproducing. Hormones in their body cause them a tremendous amount of stress, plus females can get very sick from going into heat. It is also dangerous for cats to have kittens too young.

If you want to have kittens in your life, many people foster pregnant cats. That way you are making a world of difference and not contributing to overpopulation.
Thank you for the reply! I'll be monitoring their weight from now on. Do you have any idea what's the ideal weight for a newborn kitten?

If you would read my previous posts here, I've said that there are practically no stray cats in our area and the nearest adoption center would be towns away from our house.
 

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Our cat (Diggy from this post http://www.thecatsite.com/t/286111/help-with-my-cat#post_3648429) just gave birth to her first litter almost 2 days ago. She has 3 kittens which I thought were all in good condition. However, half an hour ago, the first kitten died. My mom said the our cat tried to bring that specific kitten in our room (where our cat usually stays) a few hours ago. My mom didn't think of it as alarming as she thought that she was just trying to bring her somewhere else. She didn't allow the cat to enter as she thought the AC will negatively affect the kittens. I've also noticed that this certain kitten often does not cuddle with the rest of his littermates.

I've read that it's not uncommon for kittens to die especially in the first litter. However, I can't help but worry. Should I be worried? Should I take our cat/the kittens to a vet?
As you desribe it, it sounds for me it was some fault with that kitten.  Sorry, it seems it wasnt meant to live.

The question is if the mom tried to take it to your room, to fetch help from her "mom" - you humans, or she was going to abandon it.  As is very common when a at mom notices one of the kittens isnt going to make it. Their instincts tell them they dont want the nest spoiled by decaying corpse, nor draw predators, whom always attack the weakest one being the easiest prey.

The non cuddling means also, the kitten probably got less milk than the others. It may be THIS the real cause of its death...  It had perhaps a weak suckling reflex - such kittens may sometimes be saved by a human giving them kitten milk by a needleless  syringe.

So, do as the TalkingPeanut says, do weigh them every 24 hours (more often if in crisis) and monitor, if they gain about 10g+  a day...   If not, do worry, and be prepared to supplement feeding....

Re vet visits.  A good knowleable vet is always useful to met.  You can always get some good advices on cat care if nothing else.

But many vets arent very knowleable on weak kittens.   They can help if there is a clear cut wound, or a visible problem, but often not if they are "just weak".

Of course, if the kitten had a pneumonia - which happens - a vet could try with massive antibiotics.  Sometimes can pneumonia babies be saved, if you notice the pneumonia early enough.

Please continue to report and ome with new questions.
 

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Thank you for the reply! I'll be monitoring their weight from now on. Do you have any idea what's the ideal weight for a newborn kitten?

If you would read my previous posts here, I've said that there are practically no stray cats in our area and the nearest adoption center would be towns away from our house.
It varies and is partly individual and depends on.   Around 100 gram (slightly over 3OZ) is common.  The gain should be about 10g (0,3-0,4OZ)  a day, with natural exeptions.
 
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vipn

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Just weighed the remaining 2 kittens and they are both 120g, the other one a little heavier (weighing scale is accurate up to 5g).
 

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Just weighed the remaining 2 kittens and they are both 120g, the other one a little heavier (weighing scale is accurate up to 5g).
Sounds good. I guess they did gained some since birth.  So just continue to monitor and weigh them every day the same time and the same circustances.   With this good weight they shall add usually at least  10g a day.

The very smallest, on 60 70 grammes are allowed to add 6plus a day...

Good luck!
 

talkingpeanut

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Thank you for the reply! I'll be monitoring their weight from now on. Do you have any idea what's the ideal weight for a newborn kitten?

If you would read my previous posts here, I've said that there are practically no stray cats in our area and the nearest adoption center would be towns away from our house.
Everything I said in my second paragraph is still true. Are your cats mating freely within your house?
 
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vipn

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Everything I said in my second paragraph is still true. Are your cats mating freely within your house?
No, they are not. :) We only have 2 female cats, as the previous litter of my other cat have been taken by my mom's friend.
 

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It does sound like you have your cats' best interests in mind. Please just also be aware that having either too many heat cycles or too many litters is not healthy.

And post photos of the kittens when you can!
 
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vipn

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Weighed then a few hours ago and they were about 130-135g now. Can't really get a more accurate reading since they move a lot now.

Here's a picture of them :) She brought the kittens to our room again and we let them stay there for a while. Moved them back to their box after feeding then placed them back in the other room after a few hours since we have to open the AC. Based from what I've read, 20 C is too cold for the kittens. Is it correct or can we let them in the room even with the AC on?

 

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They can be in an air conditioned room, but they need a heating pad set on low under the blanket they are on. They must have a heat source at all times the first three weeks as they cannot regulate their own body temperature.

20 celsius is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a bit on the cool side. My kittens were in air conditioning on a heating pad, but the AC temperature was about 76. Use your judgement, or raise the temperature in the room for the sake of the kittens. It their paws feel cold to the touch then they are not warm enough.
 
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StefanZ

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Weighed then a few hours ago and they were about 130-135g now. Can't really get a more accurate reading since they move a lot now.

Here's a picture of them
She brought the kittens to our room again and we let them stay there for a while. Moved them back to their box after feeding then placed them back in the other room after a few hours since we have to open the AC. Based from what I've read, 20 C is too cold for the kittens. Is it correct or can we let them in the room even with the AC on?

I
It seems to be a good gain, even if you dont know exactly how much.  Good!

20C is a shade coldish, but they are with their mom, and I presume she is warming them.  So it should be OK without any big fuss.

But if they were orphans, or mom leaving them alone long hours,  yes, you would be forced to have a heating pad!

The whitey one may turn into a point ("siamese-mix")  if you arent really careful...Such  occasional points arent at all unusual, while suddenly appearing whites are more rare.

You will see it in a week or two.
 
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vipn

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Thank you both for the reply!

The whitey one may turn into a point ("siamese-mix")  if you arent really careful...Such  occasional points arent at all unusual, while suddenly appearing whites are more rare.
You will see it in a week or two.
The father is a white persian cat. His fur isn't exactly white, more like a very light peach color. I don't know if that was the its original color or it just darkened overtime.
 
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vipn

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Both kittens weigh around 145 g now, the black one a little bit heavier again. :)

Been meaning to ask this but it's offtopic. Is my cat considered longhaired? I noticed that his fur isn't as long as those of a persian but definitely not as short as those of our siamese cat. Here are some pictures to help.


 
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StefanZ

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In unsure cases its the tail which is the tell-tale (!)  Bushy tail = the longhair gene.  Her tail is definitely bushy -

I would say she is medium hair, or semi-longhair as its sometimes said.  Its too the longhair gene.   I suppose there are also some other genes cooperating, and deciding if it will be long for real, or mediumish.
 

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Sounds like the 2 remaining kittens are doing fine! Also, I'd love to see a picture of dad .. he could be a shaded persian, not completely white ^^
 
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vipn

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Sounds like the 2 remaining kittens are doing fine! Also, I'd love to see a picture of dad .. he could be a shaded persian, not completely white ^^
The kittens will be 3 weeks old on Thursday and they have their eyes opened now. They are starting to play with each other too. :)

Here he is.


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Our cat seems to be not producing as much milk as before. How would I know if the kittens are being fed properly? If our cat stops feeding them, when can i give them kitten food?
 
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talkingpeanut

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You would need to weigh them every day to see if they are gaining the appropriate amount of weight. You can probably start putting down kmr in a bowl for them to lap. They likely won't be interested in mush yet, which is kitten food blended with kmr.
 
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