Mortality in mink kits from birth to weaning.

In 1988, a necropsy survey of the pattern and major causes of mortality in mink kits from birth to weaning was undertaken. The overall preweaning mortality rate was 20%. Mortalities occurring within the first three days after birth accounted for 91% of submissions, and 78% of the kits in this age group had no lesions or bacterial isolates. The average weight of kits which died within one day of birth (7.9 g) was significantly lower than the average birthweight of healthy kits (10.7 g). In kits under four days of age and with lesions, the most common diagnoses were dystocia (12%), systemic infection (4%), anasarca (2%), and congenital defects (1%). In unweaned kits four days of age or older, the most common diagnoses were systemic infection (19%), external trauma (6%), dystocia (5%), and cervical adenitis (2%).