A vaginal discharge is any uncommon substance coming out of your cat’s vulva. The discharge could be white, creamy, or bloody – and if an infection is current, it might be foul-smelling. It’s an unusual symptom in cats, often associated to their urinary or reproductive tract.
A small quantity of vaginal discharge could be regular, particularly in case your cat will not be spayed. However it could possibly be a symptom of one thing rather more severe, similar to a womb an infection. Learn on for what may 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 often associated to the reproductive tract. Nonetheless, there are a number of causes of this uncommon symptom in cats, so let’s undergo them now.
Regular Season/Warmth
A cat’s season or warmth is the stage of their warmth (estrus) cycle when they’re fertile and may grow to be pregnant. In unneutered feminine cats, this occurs each 2-3 weeks from round 4 months outdated, often between February and October.
Cats in season often grow to be very affectionate and ‘flirty’ – and continually search consideration! They have an inclination to vocalize loudly, roll round so much, arch their backs, and will 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 Start
A small quantity of clear, odorless discharge will not be often a priority in pregnant cats. Nonetheless, if the discharge is thick, coloured (wherever from white to yellow or inexperienced), foul-smelling, or accommodates blood, it is best to contact your vet.
Vaginal discharge in pregnant cats could be brought on by:
A small quantity of red-brown discharge (referred to as ‘lochia’) is regular for just a few weeks after giving beginning. However this could get much less over time and mustn’t odor.
Womb An infection (Pyometra)
A womb an infection – or pyometra – is the commonest explanation 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 often very unwell. They could be torpid, anorexic (not desirous to eat), urinating and ingesting extra, and will have vomiting or diarrhea. Cats with a ‘closed’ pyometra could don’t have any seen discharge as their cervix is closed, however there might be pus inside their womb. In case your cat has an ‘open’ pyometra you will note 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 rapidly.
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:
It is usually potential that different varieties of discharge are mistaken for vaginal discharge, similar to discharge leaking from the anus or anal glands.
When to Name the Vet
Vaginal discharge is uncommon in cats – so any concern ought to all the time immediate a name to the vet to be on the protected aspect. You must name your veterinarian instantly in case your cat’s discharge is:
- Thick
- Coloured – both white, yellow, or inexperienced
- Bloody
- Foul-smelling
- Current in giant volumes
Or in the event that they present different indicators of being unwell.
It may be somewhat trickier to work out what’s regular in cats who’re pregnant, in labor, or have given beginning just lately. However as a basic information, discharge ought to by no means be foul-smelling, inexperienced/black (earlier than any kittens have been born), or include giant 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
The remedy your cat wants will depend upon what’s inflicting their vaginal discharge.
Your veterinarian could have to carry out some exams first. An ultrasound scan of their urinary and reproductive tract will help 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 number of the fluid for examination beneath the microscope. If they’re fearful about an infection, they could ship the pattern away for tradition and sensitivity testing – it will inform them what micro organism is inflicting the an infection, and what medicines might be finest to deal with it. Bloodwork and urine samples can also be taken, to discover your cat’s underlying well being and some other potential causes of discharge similar to bladder issues.
Relying on the underlying explanation for your cat’s discharge they could want medicines, similar to ache aid, anti-inflammatories, or antibiotics. Within the case of womb infections or being pregnant problems, they could additionally want surgical procedure, similar to elimination of the womb.
Stopping Vaginal Discharge in Cats
As vaginal discharge happens most ceaselessly in cats who haven’t been neutered, one of the best ways to forestall it’s to spay your cat. This can be a surgical process referred to as an ovariohysterectomy the place the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus (womb) are eliminated. Eradicating the reproductive tract will shield them from womb infections and stop them from turning into pregnant.
Continuously 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 could be coming into warmth. This could solely final a day or so and be accompanied by different indicators of warmth similar to vocalization, attention-seeking, restlessness, and strange urination. If the fluid is thick, foul-smelling, or your cat appears unwell it is best to 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 aspect 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, it is best to 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 on account of give beginning. But when the discharge is thick, foul-smelling, inexperienced/black (earlier than any kittens are born), or accommodates lots of blood, this could immediate a name to your veterinarian.
What does pyometra discharge appear to be in cats?
Pyometra discharge is often white, creamy, or yellow/green-tinged. It tends to be foul-smelling. You might discover it coming instantly 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, similar to 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 fearful your cat could also be affected by it.