Morbidity & Mortality Study

Orphan Kitten Club has partnered with UC Davis to conduct a groundbreaking study focused on understanding the causes of morbidity and mortality in underage kittens.

The objective of this study is to help shelters, rescue organizations, and experienced foster caregivers provide optimal care for young kittens by identifying the primary causes of health issues and mortality. The research aims to explore methods for targeted treatment, enhance quality of care, and reduce overall mortality rates among neonatal kittens.

The enrollment and data collection phase—drawing from medical records and necropsy results of hundreds of kittens—has now been completed. This phase brought together participants from rescue groups and animal shelters to build a robust dataset for analysis.

Researchers are now entering the next phase of this work: analyzing the findings and preparing them for publication. By identifying the main causes of health problems and mortality, this study will provide valuable insights to shelters and veterinarians, helping them better recognize and treat conditions that can improve survival rates among neonatal kittens.

Ultimately, the knowledge gained from this study will contribute to better outcomes for kittens—ensuring a brighter future for the tiniest lives.