5 week old kitten just died (2024)

My cat had a litter of 5 kittens. One died within a day or so after the birth, but the other 4 seemed to be doing well and thriving. When they were born the umbilical cords were all wrapped around this one kittens abdomen cutting off circulation and blood flow. The vet told me to euthanise her because she'd most likely die from infection within a few days. I chose not to do that and took her home where she was thriving. Eating, got the blood flow back to her lower extremities, and she was just progressing along nicely. A little slower than her litermates but I didn't think anything of it. Well today when I checked on the kittens this one was weak, cold and just not doing well at all. I took her to the vet where they said everything physical appeared fine but that she had severe neurological issues. She wouldn't eat, couldn't walk, was pale and couldn't keep her own temp up. They bottle fed her and I took her home where she had several seizures and then died in my arms.

I am wondering if I caused this. I have two cats who each gave birth within about a week of each other and so I put both litters together and had both moms feeding all 6 kittens. Is it possible this kitten was born with a different blood type than the other mother cat and by feeding this kitten she actually passed on anti bodies that killed off the kittens red blood cells? I read about that online. Did I kill my kitten by having another mother nurse her?! I just don't understand how a seemingly healthy 5 week old kitten succumbs to "neurological issues" that weren't present before today? I am overcome with guilt and heartache right now because I try to do the best for my cats. They only get the best food, they are taken to the vet for their shots, they're not allowed outside (pregnancies happened with my male cat who did not get fixed in time....he's fixed now though!) so how and why did this happen?! Is it my fault?!

It does sound like there was a systemic issue. Maybe her body couldn't keep up as it got bigger. I don't think you did anything that contributed to her death. Sorry for your loss.

Do you plan to spay the mamas when the babies are weaned? Even if they are indoor only, they will be much happier and healthier if fixed.

I think above everything is pretty much mentioned what I wanted to say; you did your best to help the kitten, and I think the problem with birth has caused the kitten to not be developped properly on the inside and that is what eventually made her pass. You tried so hard and I think you did very well not giving up on her. You can be very proud of you.

And to sooth your guilt, let me explain to you the bloodtype problem you are so worried about, so you can stop thinking that's what went wrong.

Cats have different bloodtypes. A/AB (just known as A, basically), Ab (A bloodtype with b carrier) and b (recessive b, so no A involved). The problem you discribed occurs when mom has b bloodtype but mated with a male that is either Ab or A. Not all kittens will be b bloodtype, and b bloodtype moms have A anti-bodies which they pass in their milk. When kittens are just born, the kittens intenstines are not yet fully developed and in the first 24 till 48 hours they absorb the anti-bodies from mom extremely well. When they are A or Ab, they recive anti-bodies for their bloodtype which causes many of them to die. After 48 hours, the risk lowers and they will be fine. When this happens in a breeding cat, some feed the kittens themselves for the first few days before passing them back to mom.

Long story short, you have not killed your kitten by placing the two litters together. They don't die of it after this many weeks.

Lots of strenght to you, and please be proud of yourself as you did very well and fought hard for the little one. I hope the others will grow up to be happy and healthy adults