Hello,
I am not a cat owner, but I am posting here on the behalf of a long-distance friend I am trying to help. This specific issue regards the extreme health problems of a litter of recently-born kittens in her family's possession. I figured someone here might be very knowledgeable on the topic of feline health and diseases and might be able to help by giving advice or information.
The mother, Lucy, is over one year old and nearly three weeks ago gave birth to a litter of four. The litter is Lucy's first. Unfortunately, around two weeks after birth one of the kittens began to degrade relatively quickly and died just this last Saturday. Another apparently exhibiting the same symptoms died yesterday, and another today. There is now only one left and she is deeply concerned that the fourth may die as well.
It seemed that prior to death the kittens displayed lethargy, reduced appetite, labored breathing, dilated pupils, and possible (but unmeasured) weight loss. At the time of death, the kittens screeched/meowed in pain, convulsed, seemed to be having difficulties breathing, and died after roughly fifteen minutes.
It should be noted that the kittens were all inadvertently exposed to fleas and had many of them up till death. The remaining one and the mother still do.
As I am not a veterinarian and have only done some basic reading on cat diseases in this time, I cannot properly diagnose or recommend treatment. I have suggested to my friend that she try to the best of her ability to get the remaining kitten to a vet, but this may be difficult due to financial problems. If anyone can suggest care alternatives (such as getting rid of fleas on the nursing queen and kitten) or can arrive at a potential diagnosis from the list of symptoms, it would be greatly appreciated. Any little bit can help. Thank you.
I am not a cat owner, but I am posting here on the behalf of a long-distance friend I am trying to help. This specific issue regards the extreme health problems of a litter of recently-born kittens in her family's possession. I figured someone here might be very knowledgeable on the topic of feline health and diseases and might be able to help by giving advice or information.
The mother, Lucy, is over one year old and nearly three weeks ago gave birth to a litter of four. The litter is Lucy's first. Unfortunately, around two weeks after birth one of the kittens began to degrade relatively quickly and died just this last Saturday. Another apparently exhibiting the same symptoms died yesterday, and another today. There is now only one left and she is deeply concerned that the fourth may die as well.
It seemed that prior to death the kittens displayed lethargy, reduced appetite, labored breathing, dilated pupils, and possible (but unmeasured) weight loss. At the time of death, the kittens screeched/meowed in pain, convulsed, seemed to be having difficulties breathing, and died after roughly fifteen minutes.
It should be noted that the kittens were all inadvertently exposed to fleas and had many of them up till death. The remaining one and the mother still do.
As I am not a veterinarian and have only done some basic reading on cat diseases in this time, I cannot properly diagnose or recommend treatment. I have suggested to my friend that she try to the best of her ability to get the remaining kitten to a vet, but this may be difficult due to financial problems. If anyone can suggest care alternatives (such as getting rid of fleas on the nursing queen and kitten) or can arrive at a potential diagnosis from the list of symptoms, it would be greatly appreciated. Any little bit can help. Thank you.