Member

Posts: 75
From:Sydney,NSW,Australia
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-03-2004 02:38 PM         

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Hello, one of my queens had a litter of 3 kittens last night, the largest only 70 grams (male) then 67 grams (female) and the smallest is only 44 grams (female) it had a lot of trouble breathing last night and I did not expect it to survive ( I guess the lungs are not very well formed) but survive it did and it has even had a few (assisted) feeds from mum's best nipples. Its breathing is less laboured and it is somewhat vocal, hungry and moves around. Mum has not rejected her , she licks and toilets her like the others.
My question is, has anyone had a kitten born this small survive ?!?

Another thing, I noticed right away, its wrists are fused in a flexed position at about 90 degrees from the radius and ulna. I think the left has a little more play in than the right. is this something due to the premature bones and joints not developed properly ? or is this a permanant handicap ?
Also, why were the babies soooo small ? they were full term. Is mother not getting enough vitamin and mineral suppliments ?
do you give your pregnant queens anything to boost the growth of the foetus' ??

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Member

Posts: 790
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 02-04-2004 05:04 AM         

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Hiya Did you have mum and kittens checked over by the vet.
Smaller kittens usually have laboured breathing as its more traumatic when being delivered and depending how soon mum started clearing away the amniotic sac as usually within seconds of being born kittens aswell as puppies will start to breath even if the sac is still intact and this cause more fluid to enter the lungs.

I would take all kittens and mum to the vets to have a check over and make sure everything is ok.

As for the kittens leg it should be the same as its litter mates.

Was mum wormed during her pregnancy as its always wise to worm 2 weeks beofre mating then a week before the kittens are born.

Please keep us posted of how these little guys are doing and hope they are all ok.

mike.
boro_lad1976@hotmail.com

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Member

Posts: 75
From:Sydney,NSW,Australia
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-04-2004 02:59 PM         

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after speaking with the vet i have calmed down a little. There is nothing wrong with mothers diet, she is getting all the vitamins and minerals she needs. The problem may be with her, she just may not be a good breeder, althought she is an incredibly devoted mother. She has not rejected the littlest as i thought she might. Its been nearly 36 hours and the runt has not gained a single gram, but is very lively and has even begun to nurse from mother UNASSISTED ! ( i thought was dreaming !) the others have gained a fantastic amount of weight, the boy from an original 70 grams to a hefty 92 grams today.
I have been advised to do daily physiotherapy on the crook legs of the runt, and it is seems to be helping. Vet guesses it is underdeveloped ligaments that need to be worked and strengthened.
I have read that premmies hold off gaining weight until AFTER their TRUE due date (which i estimate to be approx 1 week) as the energy gained is used to finish off underdeveloped internal organs and fur etc etc.
I heard a rumour that a 25 gram premmie kitten survived, has anyone heard this ? is this a world record ??

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Member

Posts: 51
From:Mobile,Alabama,United States
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-05-2004 01:39 PM         

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the kitten probably had trouble breathing from fluid in it's lungs. was this the mom's first litter? that might be why they are so small.

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