Early mortality observed more often in purebred kittens than in ordinary domestic kittens. About 7% are already stillborn, and up to 10% die within the first month of life. Newborn babies may decline slowly or pass away suddenly. Let's find out what to do if a kitten dies and whether there is anything we can do to help it.
Causes of early death of babies
The following factors influence low offspring survival:
- number of children (one kitten dies in half the cases);
- unreasonable interference of the breeder in the birth process;
- low weight;
- prematurity;
- blood group incompatibility;
- genetic characteristics of the breed;
- mother's illness.
Immediately after birth, the kitten needs warmth, since its body thermoregulation mechanisms have not yet developed. Hypothermia (hypothermia) leads to slow heart rate and heart failure. If the mother cat has died or refuses to accept the babies, then to prevent the kittens from dying, you need to place them near a heat source. It could be a bottle with hot water, wrapped in a diaper, or a heating pad.
To maintain the vitality of the body, babies need energy, which they receive from mother's milk. A weak newborn kitten dies from low level blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in the first 5 days of life if not receiving enough food. For example, he cannot suck on his own, or stronger brothers prevent him from getting to the nipple.
Improper nutrition of the mother affects the fat content of milk, so it is better to feed the cat with a special balanced food.
Early death of kittens occurs from dehydration (dehydration). From lack of food, overheating or diarrhea, the body loses a large amount of fluid.
Infectious diseases are not uncommon and account for 4% of total mortality in the first days of life. If within 2 hours after birth the kitten did not suck mother's milk, then it did not receive colostrum, and with it, antibodies to protect against pathogenic viruses and bacteria. Bye the immune system will not fully mature, she will not be able to fight pathogens on her own dangerous infections. Even Vaccination during this critical period is ineffective. This is why it is important to ensure your baby has access to the nipple as soon as possible.
Kittens are stillborn or die shortly after birth due to intrauterine developmental anomalies:
- umbilical hernia;
- skeletal disorders;
- deformities;
- fusion of the rectum;
- cleft palate;
- underdevelopment of the kidneys.
In some cases, excessive licking of children by a cat leads to cannibalism, so you need to monitor whether the mother is showing excessive care for the offspring.
Alarming symptoms of approaching death
Unfortunately, weak, sick or premature pets die during the first days of life or are already born dead.
In this case, it is impossible to help, since natural selection there is no point in fighting. But a kitten more than 2-3 weeks old needs a veterinarian if the following symptoms are present:
- high or low body temperature (37–39 ⁰C is considered normal);
- refusal to eat;
- vomiting or diarrhea;
- weight loss;
- sneezing, difficulty breathing, cough;
- discharge from the nose and eyes;
- bleeding;
- injuries.
How to help a dying kitten?
All you can do for a newly born kitten is to provide it with warmth and enough food. If the cat cannot feed it, then you need to buy a special mixture from the veterinary store. It is ideal when you manage to throw a baby to another cat that has recently given birth. Cow's milk is not digested by your pet's stomach, but in extreme cases, goat's, diluted half with water, will do. While you are looking for nutritious food, give your baby warm boiled water from a pipette or syringe without a needle. This will prevent dehydration.
Never pick up a kitten without first washing them with soap. Otherwise there is high risk give him an infection.
After each feeding, gently wipe the kitten's genitals with a damp cotton pad. They do this to stimulate bowel movements. The pet does not yet know how to relieve itself on its own, and it needs help. After the process is completed, urine and feces are removed with a damp cloth, and the fur is wiped dry.
If you are worried that you will not be able to cope with your responsibilities, then it is better to look for a special shelter where such animals are accepted. Professionals know better how to handle newborn babies. Therefore, these kittens have a great chance of survival.
If, despite your efforts, your pet dies, remember that you did everything possible to save it. It is important to understand that a newborn baby definitely needs a mother, which cannot be replaced even by round-the-clock human care. After the death of a kitten, it is better to bury it in beautiful place outside the city or in the private sector, unless prohibited by law.
VETERINARIAN CONSULTATION REQUIRED. INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Administration
Unfortunately, there is a high mortality rate among small kittens compared to other young pets. Most often, this attack occurs in newborn kittens (cases of kitten death a day after birth are not uncommon). Especially often, a kitten born from an unvaccinated cat dies. Weak immunity little kitten unable to withstand deadly viral diseases(only in isolated cases is it possible to save the baby).
On the other hand, the kitten may die from injuries that are incompatible with life.
Anyway, what to do when the little kitten can no longer be returned? Where can the owner turn for help in order to see off the kitten on its last journey with dignity? Veterinary center VetClinic-Msk has its own crematorium for animals.
24/7 ritual veterinary care goes to the house to pick up a deceased kitten to take it to cremation or autopsy with an expert opinion (at the owner’s request, for example, to establish the cause of death in order to avoid a repeat case when there are other animals in the house).
Kittens died in Moscow or Moscow Region, where to call?!
The 24-hour funeral service for pets in Moscow and the Moscow region provides a full range of services from euthanasia to the issuance of an urn after individual cremation.
To cremate a kitten in Moscow and Moscow Region All you have to do is call the 24-hour dispatch telephone number of the funeral service for animals.The cost of the kitten cremation service depends on the weight of the pet. Therefore, the price of general cremation of a kitten will be one of the lowest in the price list.
Death pet a very sad event, but one way or another, you will have to accept and survive it. Today, the birth of stillborn kittens is very common; there can be many reasons for this. And for this reason, a pet breeder needs to be prepared for anything and adequately assess what is happening. But if the kitten died,what to do in such situation? This question worries many owners who are faced with this problem for the first time.
First, let's look at the reasons that lead to dead kittens being born. These include:
- Heredity. If there has previously been a stillbirth along the male or female line, then the probability increases several times;
- The fetus developed with abnormalities or genetic abnormalities;
- Mating of closely related animals is very common reason the fact that kittens are born dead;
- If the blood type is incompatible, this factor is especially taken into account during breeding;
- If the female was injured during pregnancy or fell from a height;
- Inflammatory processes take place.
All this can lead to the female developing dying kitten, which is simply impossible to save.
But what to do if the kitten died, what measures need to be taken?! This is very actual question for breeders of domestic females. In the first seconds of birth, it is necessary to undertake a number of appropriate manipulations aimed at saving the baby. If within 20 minutes the animal does not come to its senses, it can be considered dead. To begin, the dead pet must be isolated from the cat and placed in a bag. In this case, it is best to take the dead animal to a veterinarian, who can determine the cause of what is happening. What is it for? This will prevent similar cases in the future. After giving birth, the mother also needs to be examined, because the reason for the birth of still kittens may be hidden in her.
If your cat is pregnant and you are not ready to deliver the baby yourself, call your veterinarian. This specialist has extensive experience in this, and in the event of a stillborn kitten, he will be able to personally take all necessary measures. Moreover, Vet clinic of the city of St. Petersburg provides assistance to animals around the clock, and with home visits. Sometimes, with the help of a veterinarian, a stillborn kitten can be ruled out. But this is only if the kitten was alive at the time of birth.
