As many of you may know, we had a super-runt in Ruby's litter: a little calico named Layla. She was developmentally on schedule, but still at 8 weeks weighs only 9 oz. She didn't go with us when we took the rest of the kittens in for their shots at six weeks for two reasons: 1) she was too small, according to the tech I spoke with on the phone and 2) the slightest bit of excitement makes her breathe heavily. My mother was/is planning on adopting her, and decided to take her to the vet today just to be checked out. We knew that her rib cage looked different than the other kittens and she struggled to breathe at times.
The vet told my mother that she suffers from something called FCK (flat-chest kitten) and her case was moderate to severe. He was amazed she managed to live this long. She asked about shot and he said he wouldn't even bother with them, because she is not long for this world. She did get dewormed, though. He expects she'll pass on any day and didn't even want to venture a guess at all of the deformities enclosed in her little chest. He offered to put her to sleep today, but she declined knowing that she is not suffering now.
My mother took her home to be with her. She'll get lots more attention for her final days than she would here. All of the kittens are almost completely weaned and Layla had been taking KMR twice daily anyway. I think she'll be happier there without all the confusion of a house full of toddlers and kittens.
I feel so sorry for my mother. She lost her elderly cat this past winter and was so excited to be bringing a little one into her home. I haven't even mentioned taking on another of the kittens after Layla passes, but will eventually.
The vet told my mother that she suffers from something called FCK (flat-chest kitten) and her case was moderate to severe. He was amazed she managed to live this long. She asked about shot and he said he wouldn't even bother with them, because she is not long for this world. She did get dewormed, though. He expects she'll pass on any day and didn't even want to venture a guess at all of the deformities enclosed in her little chest. He offered to put her to sleep today, but she declined knowing that she is not suffering now.
My mother took her home to be with her. She'll get lots more attention for her final days than she would here. All of the kittens are almost completely weaned and Layla had been taking KMR twice daily anyway. I think she'll be happier there without all the confusion of a house full of toddlers and kittens.
I feel so sorry for my mother. She lost her elderly cat this past winter and was so excited to be bringing a little one into her home. I haven't even mentioned taking on another of the kittens after Layla passes, but will eventually.
