Posted by Angie on June 18, 2001 at 12:20:41:
My family adopted a litter of five abandoned kittens last Saturday. We took them to the vet the following Monday and they tested negative for feline AIDS and leukemia. We were also given medication to deworm them at this time. Since they were purring, playing, have teeth, and eyes are starting to turn to true color, we guessed they were about four to five weeks when we took them in. Yesterday, one of the kittens seemed listless. Before I could get him to the vet this morning, he'd died. I am so heartbroken and am not looking forward to telling my seven year old (very tenderhearted!) son. In order to help prevent this from happening to the others, I have a question. Fluffy, the kitten that didn't make it, started having trouble with what looked like wet fur on both hind legs, his tail and his belly area at the same time he started acting peculiar. He has been eliminating well so we'd quit stimulating him after feeding. We have been trying to wean the kittens to a dish (were hand feeding them the first half week.) Could they have been trying to nurse on their brother causing his distress? They have been kept warm but if he's somehow gotten chilled, I know that's very harmful. He looked wet but his fur was actually very matted and dry. Please, keep us in your thoughts and wishes for success with the others. I can't quit crying this morning but taking care of the other four babies will help get me through this! Thanks for the outlet to express my sadness...