Whether the patient is a dog or a cat, ovarian remnant syndrome is suspected when a spayed female pet appears to be coming into heat, something that should be impossible after spaying. A spayed female has had both her ovaries removed and should not cycle and should not display behaviors typical of heat.
Signs of Heat in Cats
The female cat in heat does not have vaginal discharge, in contrast to dogs. Her signs are typically behavioral in nature. The most typical symptoms an owner might experience are when she starts acting very talkative and affectionate. She might try to signal to the neighborhood tomcats that she is open to mating by urinating or spraying inside the house. Additionally, when she gets petted, she has a propensity to wag her tail and stick her rear end in the air. In the event that a spayed cat displays signs of heat, it may indicate the presence of residual sex hormone in her body. Please consult your veterinarian if your spayed cat exhibits any signs of heat.
Common Signs of Heat in a Cat
- Showing more affection
- Vocalizing
- Rubbing face on owner or objects
- Raising hind end into the air
- Attention-seeking behavior
- Frequent urination or urine marking
- Roll on floor
- Begging to go outside
Causes of Heat Signs in Spayed Cats
It’s possible that estrogen is still being produced by ovarian tissue in a spayed cat if it exhibits signs of heat. This can happen for a few different reasons. Rarely, during surgery, a tiny fragment of ovarian tissue may be left behind, enabling ongoing estrogen secretion and thermal cues. In rarer instances, if a tiny bit of ovarian tissue unintentionally fell back into the abdomen during the spay procedure, it might be able to grow a new blood supply and continue to release estrogen. In these situations, a female cat may have accessory ovarian tissue that is distinct from the main ovaries and may continue to do so after the spay procedure. It is possible that owners won’t immediately notice a change in their cat’s behavior, and it might take months for them to show symptoms of heat.
After being spayed, a cat exhibiting heat symptoms should visit the veterinarian right away for testing. In order to ascertain whether hormone levels are high and consistent with active ovarian tissue, this frequently involves blood work. Though it is typically fairly tiny, imaging tests like ultrasounds are occasionally used to search for the remaining reproductive tissue. Once an ovarian remnant has been identified in a pet, surgery should be done to find and remove it. This will put an end to undesirable heat-related behaviors and lower the chance of developing diseases like mammary cancer and stump pyometras that are brought on by continuous estrogen exposure.
FAQ
Can a cat be in heat after being spayed?
Do spayed female cats still have the urge to mate?
Why is my cat still yowling after being spayed?