Author: Chewy Editors

In a litter of kittens, those who are smaller than their littermates may be the ones at highest risk for Fading Kitten Syndrome, which is sometimes referred to as “failure to thrive.” Healthy kittens are warm and have some fleshy padding over their bony points, whereas a kitten may be sick if she feels cold in the presence of sufficient environmental warming or feels bony. Sick kittens may also exhibit symptoms of: Excessive crying, even after feeding, or they may just not nurse well. Healthy kittens nurse almost immediately after birth, while a fading kitten may have a poor suckling reflex. Separating themselves from the rest of the litter Seeming limp or weak when picked up Unpleasant odor not related to normal urine or feces, if infection is present Any vomiting or diarrhea should be considered life threatening and requires immediate veterinary care. Diarrhea is present in about 60% of sick kittens and may cause excessive fluid losses and weakness. Other warning signs that indicate immediate medical attention is needed for a kitten include: Abdominal distension Gray, pale, or yellow mucous membranes Nasal or eye discharge Sneezing Labored breathing Thin body condition Some congenital malformations may be easily seen and others may not. These physical anomalies may predispose the kitten to a shortened life, depending on location and the severity.,Jump to section Symptoms of Fading Kitten Syndrome Watch for These Kitten Milestones Possible Causes of Fading Kitten Syndrome Kitten Fading Syndrome Treatment Options

I see this situation frequently. Generally, when cats eat well, it is a sign of good health. An excessive appetite, however, might indicate a problem. In older cats, we’d put diabetes and hyperthyroidism on our list of illnesses that can cause weight loss in the face of a good (or great) appetite. Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas is not producing sufficient insulin. Typically, cats with diabetes drink and urinate excessively, eat ravenously and lose weight. Treatment generally involves administration of insulin injections twice daily, and a switch to a high protein/low carbohydrate diet. Hyperthyroidism is a glandular disorder in which the thyroid gland in the neck produces too much thyroid hormone. Older cats usually exhibit this, the average age being around 13, so your cat is definitely a candidate. Fortunately, this condition is very treatable. In fact, it is curable, so no need to worry. Have your cat’s veterinarian run some basic blood tests — a complete blood count, chemistry panel, thyroid test and urinalysis. This basic “senior profile” should determine if your cat has either of these disorders. If the bloodwork comes back normal, consider a gastrointestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic insufficiency or even gastrointestinal lymphoma (a type of cancer). Pancreatic insufficiency is a disorder in which the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes necessary to properly digest food. Cats eat, but the undigested nutrients do not get absorbed by the body, and the cat eats excessively because she feels as if she is starving. Affected cats often have diarrhea and weight loss. This disorder is uncommon, and you didn’t mention diarrhea, so I doubt if this occurs in your cat. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastrointestinal lymphoma, however, are much more common. In most cases, cats with these disorders have a decreased appetite, although some cats have a normal or even an increased appetite. If the bloodwork rules out diabetes, hyperthyroidism or other metabolic disorders that could cause weight loss, further diagnostic tests such as abdominal ultrasound and/or endoscopy may be warranted to achieve a definite diagnosis. By: Arnold Plotnick, DVM Featured Image: via Pixabay,Q.

There are plenty of adorable kittens just waiting for you to spoil them. But how do you choose the right kitten for you and your family? Understanding and identifying a kitten’s temperament will help you pick the purrfect feline companion (or two!).