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Question
Hi. My 2 yr old cat had a litter of 5 the other day. One did not make it. His temperature was low, he was kinda cold, so were his ears and paws. Everytime he breathed it sounded like a clicking sound and i checked to makesure his airways were clean. I did not notice him eat. He was meowing but with his mouth closed, so i opened his mouth and it was slimed shut. I cleaned it with some warm water and put him back with his mother. The next morning he was gone. My cat has had over 5 or 6 litters and i've never had this happen. What was the matter?
Brittany,
Sometimes kittens do get some fluid in their lungs because mama just did not clean the kitten thoroughly upon birth. Sometimes with the first kitten out, this happens. It is also possible the kitten had a problem and, at that age and size, there is little to be done. I would just chalk it up to just one of those things. Is the rest of the litter thriving? If so, you just need to not worry about it, the mama will do the practical thing and take care of the rest of the litter.
These things do happen and, often, it is not obvious why. The mama often knows there may be a problem long before any of us figure it out.
Sad regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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