Do Your Kittens Have Fading Kitten Syndrome? The signs of FKS

Fading Kitten Syndrome (FKS) is similar to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in humans and may be blamed when kittens under 12 weeks of age fail to thrive and grow. Like SIDS, FKS is a fatal "mystery illness" in which the exact cause of death is often not known. In general, FKS affects kittens born to weak mothers or born into unhealthy surroundings.

To reduce the chances of Fading Kitten Syndrome, it is a good idea to look after the pregnant mother especially well. She needs to eat a diet suitable for her pregnant status and be as healthy as possible. Obesity in a mother cat can cause problems for her kittens, it is best not to intentionally breed an obese cat.

Birth defects can be one of the easiest warning signs to detect. Unfortunately they are also the hardest to treat and most kittens with severe birth defects will die. During extended labor a kitten could get stuck and be suffer injuries. A healthy mother cat can give birth by herself, but it is always wise to keep an eye on her. Sometimes she will need your assistance, or she may try to cannibalize her kittens so you need to make sure the kittens are safe and healthy.

Problems may arise even after a successful birth. A rare situation in which the blood type of one or more kittens differs from that of the mother can result in death. The condition affects pure-bred cats more often than mixed breeds. There is no known cure. A more frequent occurrence is that one kitten will be crowded out by his litter mates and will not be able to nurse enough to get adequate nutrition. If the mother cat rejects the litter and refuses to nurse the kittens, it is up to the owner to hand-rear the kittens.

Not all causes of Fading Kitten Syndrome are related specifically to pregnancy and birth. Environmental causes also play a part. Newborn kittens cannot keep themselves warm and rely on their mother to stay warm. Hypothermia, dehydration, and environmental diseases related to parasites, bacteria, and viruses are likely to cause FKS.

Although it is not always possible to reverse FKS, there are some precautions that can be taken to minimize the chance that it will occur. Providing the mother cat with a healthy diet during and after pregnancy and ensuring a warm clean environment for the birth will go a long way toward preventing FKS. Watch kittens carefully after birth and be alert for the early signs of bacterial or viral infection. Be alert, too, for signs that the mother cat is neglecting or failing to nurse her kittens.

Understanding what Fading Kitten Syndrome is can help you prevent it from happening. The earlier it is spotted the more likely the outcome will be favorable.

Want to find out more about fading kitten syndrome, then visit Sam Kelley's site and claim your FREE Taking Care of Kittens handbook.