Failure to Thrive (Fading Kitten Syndrome) in Cats - Causes, Treatment and Associated Conditions

Key takeaways

Fading kitten syndrome occurs when newborn kittens fail to thrive and are likely to expire prematurely, usually prior to weaning.

Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause and include excessive crying, low body temperature, lethargy, separating from littermates, weight loss, and poor sucking reflex
The causes can be separated into several broad categories: congenital abnormalities, maternal abnormalities, low birth weight, infectious diseases, poor environment, and neonatal isoerythrolysis
Diagnostics include imaging, blood work, bacterial cultures, and post-mortem examination (necropsy)
Treatment depends on the cause and severity but includes surgery, medications, palliative care, and symptom management

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A closer look: Fading Kitten Syndrome (Failure to Thrive) in Cats

Failure to thrive is a general term describing newborn animals who show signs of overall deterioration in the earliest days of life. Due to the fragility of neonatal kittens, once symptoms arise, it is a medical emergency with a high mortality rate.

Symptoms may vary depending on the cause of the failure to thrive.

Risk factors

The mortality rate within the first year of life for purebred kittens is 34% and 10-17% for non-purebred kittens. Signs of fading health in newborns require rapid intervention as they appear hours to days before death. Sudden death may be the only symptom.

Kittens who show signs of failing to thrive during the first week of life have the worst chance for survival.

Possible causes

Failure to thrive cases fit into one of six categories: neonatal isoerythrolysis, congenital abnormalities, maternal abnormalities, low birth weight, infectious diseases, or environmental factors.

In addition, infectious diseases and environmental factors put kittens at risk due to their undeveloped immune systems.

Main symptoms

Symptoms vary based on the root cause but the primary early symptoms include

Excessive crying
Staying separate from littermates
Seem cool and limp when picked up
Poor suckling reflex
Weight loss
Lethargy
Sticky or dry lips
Delayed skin turgor
Low body temperature

Testing and diagnosis

Diagnostics vary based on the progression of the syndrome and range from a full battery of tests including diagnostic imaging, blood work, urinalysis, physical examination, bacterial cultures, and a medical history of the kitten and the mother to a complete post-mortem examination of the deceased kitten (necropsy).

Steps to Recovery

If an underlying cause is identified prior to death, treatment is specific to that cause and can fall into two categories, specific and supportive.

Specific treatments

Antibiotics
Surgery
Other medications
Palliative care
Symptom management

Supportive treatments

Symptom management
Palliative care

By definition, fading kitten syndrome results in death. If an underlying cause can be identified early and cured, survival is possible. In some cases, there is no treatment and euthanasia is the only option.

Prevention

Maternal factors contributing to fading kitten syndrome can sometimes be prevented by

Screening for genetic abnormalities and infectious diseases
Ensuring that vaccinations are up to date before breeding
Maintaining parasite control before breeding and during pregnancy
Not breeding pairs with known congenital or genetic defects, such as cleft palate
Monitoring maternal health during pregnancy and according to veterinary guidance for the individual queen

After a litter is born, the risk can be reduced by maintaining a clean and warm environment for the kittens and ensuring proper nutrition and socialization.

Some of the infectious diseases that may cause fading kitten syndrome are contagious. Keeping all animals in the household up to date on vaccines helps give newborn animals the best chance to thrive.