How dangerous is this?
Many owners believe that spotting in cats occurs due to pathologies of the urinary system. Indeed, the symptom may indicate inflammation or the formation of stones. Such diseases often lead to death. Therefore, if illness appears, it is important to show the animal to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Often, spotting in cats occurs due to an improper diet.
A lack of iron and other important substances in food negatively affects the pet’s well-being, leading to deterioration and metabolic disorders. However, there are cases when such a symptom is the result of natural changes occurring in the animal's body. But this does not mean that you need to independently draw conclusions about the reason for its appearance. To establish the correct diagnosis, you must consult a veterinarian.
Pregnancy periods by week and dangerous periods
The pregnancy of an animal lasts 9 weeks and is divided into three periods:
First (from 0 to 3 weeks). During this period, fertilization occurs and the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus.
Second (from 4 to 6 weeks). The uterus increases several times. The kittens grow up and their movements become noticeable.
Third (from 7 to 9 weeks). The babies take on their final appearance, and the pet is preparing for childbirth.
At any time, the appearance of brown blood discharge should alert you. Dark blood color indicates placental abruption or even fetal death. The correct diagnosis and subsequent treatment can only be prescribed by a veterinarian after passing all examinations.
This situation is very dangerous for the cat, because its body suffers from noticeable intoxication. Help in this case must be provided very quickly, otherwise the woman in labor may die.
Normal changes that occur in the body
In some cases, bloody discharge is observed in a cat for reasons related to natural processes. Such circumstances do not pose a threat to the health of the animal. Such changes include the following:
- Estrus. This process is accompanied by an increase in the pet’s activity. The female often arches her back, rolls around on the floor, and becomes playful. It is absolutely normal for a cat to have bloody discharge during estrus. After this period ends (as a rule, this happens after a few days), the symptom disappears completely.
- Bearing offspring. The presence of this sign in a pregnant female indicates a restructuring of the body and preparation for the birth of cubs. However, intense discharge indicates the development of serious pathological processes.
Is bleeding before childbirth normal?
This process begins immediately before the onset of labor, that is, after the stage of active contractions. You need to examine the brownish liquid emerging from the cat's loop very carefully.
Traces of blood during childbirth. If a pregnant cat's discharge is like this, it means contractions have begun.
As a general rule, it is a normal and adequate physiological part of pregnancy, which accompanies the process of childbirth, although there are a number of nuances that can play a fatal role in the life of the pet and its offspring.
Such manifestations must be treated with extreme caution. blood-colored (reddish-brown) liquid is considered a natural phenomenon if its total volume does not exceed 1 tablespoon. In addition, they should last no longer than 8-10 minutes. The color of such discharge should not be too dark (close to brown) or light (close to pale pink). The absence of a strong odor is also a sign that your cat’s health is not in danger.
Dirty yellow discharge
You also need to be calm about discharge of a dirty yellow hue. The future furry baby passes through the birth canal and emerges from the cat's vagina. Since these and other organs are connected and form a common genitourinary system, before childbirth, fluids with corresponding impurities of characteristic colors may appear.
The conditions for recognizing such discharge as normal coincide with those listed above.
Dangerous diseases
There are situations when bleeding indicates serious illness. This symptom should not be ignored, as it can manifest itself under the influence of the following circumstances:
- The process of decomposition of the placenta. After giving birth, a cat's bloody discharge, which has a liquid consistency, indicates that the remains of the placenta have not left the animal's body. Most likely, the pet will require surgical intervention.
- Infectious processes occurring in the genitals. Thick light red discharge often occurs in females with pathologies of the urinary system and uterus.
- Malignant neoplasms. The leakage of blood and pus is a characteristic sign of cancerous tumors of the reproductive system. As a rule, with this pathology, the discharge has an unpleasant odor.
- Inflammatory processes occurring in the genitals, for example, in the vagina. Such diseases are accompanied by difficulty urinating, aggression and anxiety. The cat often licks the lower part of its body. This symptom indicates that the animal is feeling severe discomfort.
Treatment
Treatment for unpleasant uterine discharge can be done in several ways, depending on the cause.
Treatment with medications is effective for uncomplicated genital tract infections, open pyometra, and vaginitis. Medicines are given to cats in the form of drops or crushed tablets.
Surgical intervention is necessary in the following cases:
- Malignant neoplasms.
- Closed pyometra with an aggressive course.
- Fragments of the placenta and membranes remaining in the uterine cavity after delivery.
- Poorly performed surgery (for example, sterilization).
- Other conditions that threaten the life of the animal.
Surgical treatment is performed under local or general anesthesia. In the postoperative period, the animal needs careful care.
The decision on treatment tactics is made by the veterinarian. It is important to remember that the sooner the animal gets to the veterinarian, the more favorable the prognosis.
This article has been checked and approved by a veterinarian. Knyazeva Anna Vladimirovna, veterinarian in private practice, Moscow. more about the expert.
(you can vote for the article)
Tags: cat discharge, cat health, cat
- Related Posts
- A cat has discharge: which ones to be afraid of and which ones are normal?
- Conjunctivitis in cats: what to do if your cat’s eyes fester?
- We remove tartar from cats at home and at the veterinarian
Bleeding due to vaginitis
The disease is an inflammatory process in the vaginal area. A female with a similar pathology attracts males. Therefore, many owners confuse vaginitis with estrus. In cats, bleeding with this disease is accompanied by frequent licking of the perineum and restlessness. If you suspect this disease, you should show the animal to a specialist as soon as possible.
A complication of vaginitis can be an inflammatory process in the bladder, pyometra and pathology of the inner layer of the uterus.
Discharge from endometritis
This disease can have both an acute and chronic course. The second form of the disease does not affect the pet’s well-being. The cat mates with males, but in most cases pregnancy does not occur. If fertilization does occur, the cubs often die in the womb or almost immediately after birth. An acute inflammatory process in the inner mucous membrane of the uterus is a serious illness. Bloody discharge in cats with this pathology is accompanied by loss of appetite and general weakness. If you do not provide medical assistance to the animal in time, it may die.
Mr. Cat Explains: Safe Slime Formations
The appearance of pink discharge may be noted after mating, this is normal.
You should carefully observe the abundance of mucous formations; if a foreign odor develops or blood is separated, you need to seek help from a veterinary hospital.
Until the cervix closes completely, unfertilized eggs can be seen leaving the genitals in the form of a brown discharge. This is considered the norm, as it indicates the mummification of dead, decomposing embryos, which occurs with complete sterility in the womb. If an organ is infected, an inflammatory process begins.
Symptom during pregnancy and after childbirth
Excessive bleeding in cats during pregnancy, which is bright red or light in color and lasts more than 10 minutes, indicates damage to the uterus. In this case, you need to contact a specialist as soon as possible. Also, the appearance of brown liquid at 8-9 weeks of gestation should not be ignored.
The animal should be shown to a doctor. Laboratory tests are performed at the clinic. The veterinarian performs an ultrasound examination for the presence of dead fetuses and makes a decision about therapy.
Such a phenomenon does not always mean the presence of pathology. For example, after fertilization, you may notice pink fluid flowing from the animal's genital tract. Before the birth process begins, the discharge of dark blood is also considered quite normal. This symptom cannot be ignored when the kittens have already been born.
In this situation, it may indicate mechanical damage to the uterine tissue. Injuries often occur during the delivery process. To eliminate this problem, drugs that stop bleeding are used. In severe cases, surgical intervention is necessary. Sometimes a female who has recently given birth becomes infected in her genitals as a result of violation of sanitation rules. In this case, the cat experiences bleeding and pus. To prevent infection, it is important to keep the area where the mother and her babies are kept clean.
How to treat?
The owner needs to be close to the pet at such an important moment and monitor so that no complications occur.
Clear, light pink bleeding before childbirth is considered normal, so treatment is not required. The owner needs to monitor the pet’s condition, calm her down during childbirth, and do everything to ensure that the process ends safely. At the same time, during childbirth, it is important to pay attention to the nature of the amniotic fluid, color, and smell. If you have any suspicions, it is better to tell everything to the veterinarian, who will refer you for additional examination and, if necessary, prescribe restorative treatment.
In case of uterine abruption, when bloody discharge comes from under the tail, the doctor first of all takes into account the timing of pregnancy. In the later stages, constant monitoring is carried out, and comprehensive analyzes are carried out. Delivery usually occurs without complications unless the animal has other health problems. If abruption occurs in the first half of pregnancy, and the bleeding is profuse, there is no other choice but to artificially induce labor, since the cat may die.
No less dangerous than bloody discharge are purulent discharges, which are often the result of the death and decomposition of one or more fetuses. In such situations, the veterinarian prescribes effective antibiotics and other drugs to avoid complications. If the condition does not return to normal, the doctor will suggest a cesarean section or termination of the pregnancy to save the animal’s life. After surgical treatment or urgent induction of labor, long-term rehabilitation under the supervision of a physician will be required.
Symptoms appear after sterilization
Typically, such an operation assumes the absence of estrus. However, spotting and sexual activity in a sterilized cat are sometimes observed, which indicates the following conditions:
- Neoplasms in the adrenal or mammary glands.
- The presence of cysts in the uterine area.
- Gradual cessation of hormone activity. These substances may remain in the animal’s blood for some time after surgery. As a rule, after 8 weeks this period ends.
- The presence of gonadal tissue cells in other organs.
Presence of stones in the urinary system
This pathology is often found among domestic animals.
Most often it affects males. However, sometimes stones in the organs of the urinary system are found in females. The exact reasons for the formation of stones have not yet been identified. However, experts say that abuse of dry food, deficiency of vitamin A and fluid in the diet, excess weight, gastrointestinal diseases and poor heredity can provoke the disease. Stones are one possible explanation for why your cat is bleeding.
How can you tell if an animal is unhealthy?
The phenomenon discussed in the article does not always indicate the presence of pathology. However, the presence of the disease may be indicated by the following accompanying symptoms:
- Reducing the pet's activity.
- Cat's refusal to eat.
- Frequent, infrequent or difficult urine output.
- Licking the perineal area.
- Heat.
- Increased heart rate, breathing problems.
If such signs occur, you urgently need to show the animal to a specialist who will carry out the necessary diagnostics. Examination using ultrasound and x-rays, laboratory tests of biological material will help determine what is causing the appearance of bloody discharge. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, your pet can usually be cured.
