iwciagr / Shutterstock.com
A vaginal discharge is any uncommon substance coming out of your cat’s vulva. The discharge is perhaps white, creamy, or bloody – and if an infection is current, it might be foul-smelling. It’s an unusual symptom in cats, normally associated to their urinary or reproductive tract.
A small quantity of vaginal discharge could be regular, particularly in case your cat is just not spayed. However it could possibly be a symptom of one thing far more severe, resembling a womb an infection. Learn on for what could cause vaginal discharge in cats and when to name your veterinarian.
Causes of Vaginal Discharge in Cats
Vaginal discharge is extra widespread in unspayed females, as it’s normally associated to the reproductive tract. Nonetheless, there are a selection of causes of this uncommon symptom in cats, so let’s undergo them now.
Regular Season/Warmth
Cats.com picture – taken from https://cats.com/cat-in-heat
A cat’s season or warmth is the stage of their warmth (estrus) cycle when they’re fertile and might turn into pregnant. In unneutered feminine cats, this occurs each 2-3 weeks from round 4 months outdated, normally between February and October.
Cats in season normally turn into very affectionate and ‘flirty’ – and continuously search consideration! They have an inclination to vocalize loudly, roll round lots, arch their backs, and should urinate in the home. When your cat is in season, a small quantity of clear, watery discharge from the vagina could be regular – however shouldn’t final greater than a day or two.
Being pregnant and Delivery
A small quantity of clear, odorless discharge is just not normally a priority in pregnant cats. Nonetheless, if the discharge is thick, coloured (wherever from white to yellow or inexperienced), foul-smelling, or comprises blood, you must contact your vet.
Vaginal discharge in pregnant cats could be brought on by:
A small quantity of red-brown discharge (known as ‘lochia’) is regular for a couple of weeks after giving delivery. However this could get much less over time and mustn’t odor.
Womb An infection (Pyometra)
Pyometra is a life-threatening situation in cats that requires hospitalization and normally surgical procedure to take away the contaminated womb. Lebedko Inna / Shutterstock.com
A womb an infection – or pyometra – is the commonest reason for vaginal discharge in cats. It solely occurs in cats who haven’t been neutered, because the womb is eliminated throughout neutering.
Cats with pyometra are normally very unwell. They could be torpid, anorexic (not desirous to eat), urinating and ingesting extra, and should have vomiting or diarrhea. Cats with a ‘closed’ pyometra might don’t have any seen discharge as their cervix is closed, however there will probably be pus inside their womb. In case your cat has an ‘open’ pyometra you will notice a thick, creamy, or yellow discharge that’s foul-smelling. That is pus draining from their uterus.
Pyometra could be deadly if it’s not handled shortly.
Causes of Vaginal Discharge in Spayed and Unspayed Females
Vaginal discharge is uncommon in spayed females, as their reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes) have been eliminated. Each spayed and unspayed females can endure from non-reproductive causes of vaginal discharge, together with:
Additionally it is doable that different varieties of discharge are mistaken for vaginal discharge, resembling discharge leaking from the anus or anal glands.
When to Name the Vet
Vaginal discharge is uncommon in cats – so any concern ought to at all times immediate a name to the vet to be on the secure facet. It’s best to name your veterinarian instantly in case your cat’s discharge is:
- Thick
- Coloured – both white, yellow, or inexperienced
- Bloody
- Foul-smelling
- Current in massive volumes
Or in the event that they present different indicators of being unwell.
It may be slightly trickier to work out what’s regular in cats who’re pregnant, in labor, or have given delivery just lately. However as a normal information, discharge ought to by no means be foul-smelling, inexperienced/black (earlier than any kittens have been born), or include massive quantities of blood.
See Cat Being pregnant: Habits, Timeline, and Indicators of Labor for assist with understanding what’s regular for pregnant cats.
Treating Vaginal Discharge in Cats
Relying on the reason for the vaginal discharge, your cat may have medicine and even surgical procedure. Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock.com
The therapy your cat wants will rely on what’s inflicting their vaginal discharge.
Your veterinarian might have to carry out some assessments first. An ultrasound scan of their urinary and reproductive tract can assist them work out the place the discharge is coming from and is one of the best ways to diagnose being pregnant or womb infections, in addition to some problems of labor. They could additionally pattern a few of the fluid for examination beneath the microscope. If they’re frightened about an infection, they might ship the pattern away for tradition and sensitivity testing – it will inform them what micro organism is inflicting the an infection, and what medicines will probably be greatest to deal with it. Bloodwork and urine samples might also be taken, to discover your cat’s underlying well being and every other potential causes of discharge resembling bladder issues.
Relying on the underlying reason for your cat’s discharge they might want medicines, resembling ache aid, anti-inflammatories, or antibiotics. Within the case of womb infections or being pregnant problems, they might additionally want surgical procedure, resembling removing of the womb.
Stopping Vaginal Discharge in Cats
As vaginal discharge happens most often in cats who haven’t been neutered, one of the best ways to stop it’s to spay your cat. It is a surgical process known as an ovariohysterectomy the place the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus (womb) are eliminated. Eradicating the reproductive tract will defend them from womb infections and forestall them from changing into pregnant.
Steadily Requested Questions
Why is my cat leaking white fluid?
In case your cat is leaking a small quantity of white/clear or odorless fluid from their vulva, they might be coming into warmth. This could solely final a day or so and be accompanied by different indicators of warmth resembling vocalization, attention-seeking, restlessness, and weird urination. If the fluid is thick, foul-smelling, or your cat appears unwell you must search veterinary recommendation.
Why is my cat leaking brown fluid?
Brown, foul-smelling liquid round your cat’s again finish could also be fluid from their anal glands. These sit on both facet of your cat’s anus and discharge tiny quantities of (very smelly!) fluid when your cat passes feces. In case your cat appears uncomfortable, is licking, or this space is infected, you must contact your vet. This can be an indication of impacted or contaminated anal glands.
Is it regular for my pregnant cat to have discharge?
Some discharge could be regular in pregnant cats, particularly across the time they’re as a result of give delivery. But when the discharge is thick, foul-smelling, inexperienced/black (earlier than any kittens are born), or comprises a whole lot of blood, this could immediate a name to your veterinarian.
What does pyometra discharge appear like in cats?
Pyometra discharge is normally white, creamy, or yellow/green-tinged. It tends to be foul-smelling. Chances are you’ll discover it coming straight out of your cat’s vulva or simply matted within the fur round their again finish. Cats with pyometra (bacterial an infection of the womb) present indicators of sickness, resembling poor urge for food, lethargy, ingesting and urinating extra, and vomiting or diarrhea. Pyometra is a life-threatening situation, so name your vet instantly if you’re frightened your cat could also be affected by it.
