FKS or Fading Kitten Syndrome: The Signs and Preventions of FKS

Fading Kitten Syndrome is what is used to describe the situation when a kitten dies aged under 12 weeks old. These kittens often fail to thrive and to grow and develop as they should. FKS is similar to SIDs in humans and can be referred to a "mystery illness" when often the exact cause of death is unknown. Most often kittens affected by Fading Kitten Syndrome are born into an unhealthy environment or to a sickly, weak mother cat.

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.

Be alert after birth for the presence of birth defects, which may not always be immediately apparent. Be alert during birth for extended labor that may injure kittens and for neglect on the part of the mother. Do not abandon the mother cat during birth. Remain nearby to offer assistance if needed, especially if appears that the mother cat may engage in behaviors such as cannibalism of the newborn kittens.

Newborn kittens are still not out of the danger zone. Occasionally a kitten will have a different blood type to their mother cat, this can cause this kitten to get sick. There is no treatment known as yet. Other kittens in the litter must be taken from the mother cat and hand-reared. A different blood type happens more often in pure-breeds, but is still quite rare. More likely scenario is a kitten being undernourished due to being pushed away at feeding time by his litter-mates. From time to time a mother cat will reject her own kittens, and the owner needs to step in and hand-raise the kittens.

The environment the kittens live in can also influence cases of Fading Kitten Syndrome. Baby kittens are not equipped to keep themselves warm. They need their mother. Parasites, bacteria, viruses and hypothermia, dehydration and environmental diseases can all play a part in 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.

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