Fading Kitten Syndrome

What is fading kitten syndrome?

Fading Kitten Syndrome (FKS) is the name we use for a collection of symptoms that may cause sudden death in neonatal kittens. Fading Kitten Syndrome is very rare in healthy kittens but it is something that fosters with neonates, especially ones who are seriously ill, need to keep an eye out for.

Fading Kitten Syndrome is most often caused by a combination of hypothermia (low body temp) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Because kittens are unable to regulate their body temperature for approximately their first 6 weeks of life, and they must eat very frequently, there is a serious risk of FKS if they are not cared for properly. Even well cared for kittens can go into FKS if they are seriously ill.

If your kitten is "fading," you need to take IMMEDIATE action. APA! requires a specific course of action called "Fading Kitten Protocol," which treats both hypothermia and hypoglycemia. 

Fading Kitten Syndrome 2023.mp4

Fading Kitten Sydrome

If you suspect your kitten may be fading, do not rush the kitten to the clinic! A kitten that is fading will likely not survive the car ride. YOU are the kitten's best chance of surviving. 

If you see these symptoms then your kitten has started to fade. Take action and follow the steps below. 

FKS Protocol

Fading Kitten Protocol

Gather your supplies:

Set your heating pad to low, wrap your kitten in a thin blanket, and wrap the heating pad around your kitten. Leave the nose and mouth exposed. Make sure the kitten stays wrapped in the heating pad, even if they struggle and cry to get out. 

FKS Timer.mp4

3 Minute Timer

Once your kitten is securely wrapped, give your kitten 1 drop of sugar water using the 1cc syringe every 3 minutes. 

Do not stop until the kitten can lift its head and stand upright on its own. 

Once you have started fading kitten protocol, call the clinic.

(512) ­466-­0720 

9am - 7pm

​or 

​(888) 733-­8840​ 

after hours

The clinic will provide instructions on next steps. Do not bring the kitten to the clinic without being instructed to do so.

Post-Fade Instructions 


Once your kitten is able to lift its head up and hold itself upright, you can consider it out of the fade. 


Once the kitten is out of the fade, give the kitten half of its meal (half of its normal 5% meal, so 2.5% of its body weight) Wait about half an hour to a full hour and then feed the remainder of the meal (the remaining 2.5%). Make sure the kitten stays on a heating pad during this time and monitor closely. Kittens that have faded once are at higher risk of fading again.


Give the kitten a full meal at its next scheduled feeding time (no more than 2 hours for bottle babies and no more than 4 hours for syringe gruelies), starting from the last half meal given. 


If the kitten recovers from the fade but is having abnormal behavior (seizures, tremors, anything out of the ordinary) call the clinic  (512) 466-­0720 ​(9am-7pm) ​or (​888) ­733-­8840​ (after hours) and let them know that the kitten is out of its fade, but having complications.


Please email any relevant information, such as videos or pictures, to 

foster-case-manager@austinpetsalive.org 

9am - 7pm 

or

 medicalreception@austinpetsalive.org 

after hours

My kitten passed...

Keep in mind, even with all the love and attention and perfect treatment of this condition, some kittens still won’t make it. Try not to blame yourself during this difficult time and focus on all the kittens you have personally saved by opening your home to foster kittens. Any kitten you’ve ever fostered was given a second chance at life because of YOU!

If you prefer to bury your kitten at home, please be sure to check your county laws and follow local guidelines before doing so. 

Otherwise, please wrap them in a paper towel and place in a ziplock bag marked with their APA name and A#, and bring them to the main APA clinic at 1156 W Cesar Chavez St. You may keep the bag in the freezer until you’re able to come to APA.

If your kitten was postive for panluek, please wrap your kitten in a paper towel and place it in a ziploc bag marked with its name and A#, and bring it to the main APA clinic at 1156 W Cesar Chavez St. Call (512) 466-0720 when you arrive, let them know you have a deceased paneluk-positive kitten, and someone will come out to assist you. Due to the risk of contagion from panleukopenia, it’s important not to bury the body outside.