Chapter 1
American Pets Alive! No Kill Handbook
Fading Kitten Syndrome
Fading Kitten Syndrome is a life-threatening emergency in which a kitten, sometimes one that was previously healthy, “crashes” and begins to fade. This can occur with kittens who have a mother, as well as those who do not, so watch for mother cats pushing away a kitten and not caring for it. If not dealt with immediately, this can result in death. There is not always a clear reason for this condition. It has been linked to birth defects, environmental stress, and infectious disease. Early detection and treatment are imperative, but even with tube feeding, rehydration, and monitoring, many of these kittens will still die.
Symptoms
Low body temperature; the kitten feels cool or cold to the touch
Extreme lethargy; not getting up, unable to stand, not responding when pet, can’t hold its head up
Gasping for breath; mouth breathing
Meowing, crying out
When a kitten is fading, two things are happening: hypothermia (being too cold) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). You must get the kitten’s body temperature up and raise its blood sugar, or it will die.
Take immediate action
Get the kitten warm. Immediately wrap it up in a towel like a burrito, leaving only the kitten’s face exposed. Its whole body—tail, ears, and paws—should be in the towel. Do not take the kitten out of the towel to adjust it or check on it. Every time you take the kitten out, you will make it cold again, even if it is only for a second.
Wrap a heating pad set on low around the towel (to avoid burns) as an extra source of heat. Secure it around the towel so it stays in place.
The kitten’s body cannot warm itself with only a towel; you have to apply extra heat. Your own body heat won’t work because it is lower than what a kitten’s should be.
As soon as the kitten is warmed, you will need to work on raising its blood sugar
Put some sugar or Karo syrup in warm water at a ratio of 1:1. Put some of this solution in a syringe and give the kitten three drops every three minutes.
If the kitten is not swallowing, try rubbing some Karo or sugar water on its gums and tongue.
Be sure you are administering the sugar every three minutes.
If we have dextrose or glucose in the nursery, that can be used in place of sugar or Karo. If we have dextrose, it will be in the refrigerator.
Whatever sugar source you use, take care not to contaminate anything by double-dipping syringes.
It may seem like you are not doing enough to help the kitten, but this is the only treatment for a fading kitten. The medical team cannot and will not do anything other than the steps above for a fading kitten..