The poor health of the pet always worries its owners. For example, owners become very worried if they notice spotting in cats. However, one should not succumb to panic when faced with a similar phenomenon. It is necessary to understand what the symptom is associated with.
How dangerous is this?
Many owners believe that spotting in cats results from pathologies of the urinary system. Indeed, a symptom may indicate inflammation or calculus. Such diseases are often fatal. Therefore, if you feel unwell, it is important to show the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Often, spotting in cats occurs as a result of an improper diet.
The lack of iron and other important substances in food negatively affects the well-being of the pet, leading to a deterioration in the condition and metabolic disorders. However, there are cases when such a symptom is the result of natural changes that occur 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, consult a veterinarian.
Normal changes in the body
In some cases, bloody discharge in a cat is observed for reasons related to natural processes. Such circumstances do not pose a threat to the health of the animal. These changes include the following:
- Estrus. This process is accompanied by increased activity of the pet. The female often arches her back, rolls on the floor, becomes playful. The presence of bloody discharge in a cat is considered to be absolutely normal during estrus. After the termination of this period (usually this happens after a few days), the symptom disappears completely.
- Bearing offspring. The presence of this trait in a pregnant female indicates the restructuring of the body and preparation for the birth of cubs. However, intense discharge indicates the development of serious pathological processes.
Dangerous diseases
There are situations when the bleeding signals a 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 to a cat, bloody discharge, which has a liquid consistency, indicates that the remnants of the placenta have not left the body of the animal. 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 organs of the urinary system, uterus.
- Malignant neoplasms. The outflow 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, a manifestation of aggression and anxiety. The cat often licks the lower body. This symptom indicates that the animal feels great discomfort.
Bleeding with vaginitis
The disease is an inflammatory process in the vagina. A female with a similar pathology attracts males. Therefore, many owners confuse vaginitis with estrus. In a cat, spotting with this disease is accompanied by frequent licking of the perineum and anxiety. If you suspect this ailment, you should show the animal to a specialist as soon as possible.
An complication of vaginitis can be an inflammatory process in the bladder, pyometra and pathology of the inner layer of the uterus.
Discharges with endometritis
This disease can have both acute and chronic course. The second form of the disease does not affect the well-being of the pet. The cat mates with males, but in most cases pregnancy does not occur. If fertilization does occur, calves often die in the womb or almost immediately after delivery. An acute inflammatory process in the internal mucous membrane of the uterus is a serious ailment. Bloody discharge in cats with this pathology is accompanied by loss of appetite and general weakness. If the animal is not provided with medical attention on time, it may die.
The presence of pus in the uterine cavity
This inflammatory process is called a pyometra. There are several types of ailment. Sometimes fluid or blood builds up inside the body. If the disease proceeds in an open form, these substances exit the genital tract. With a closed type of pathology, pus is located in the uterine cavity. This leads to the development of acute inflammation of the peritoneum, rupture of organ tissues.
Symptom during gestation and after delivery
Excessive bloody discharge in cats during pregnancy, having a bright red or light shade and lasting more than 10 minutes, indicates damage to the uterus. In this case, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible. Also, the appearance of a brown liquid at 8-9 weeks of gestation should not be ignored.
Show the animal to the doctor. The clinic conducts laboratory tests. The veterinarian performs an ultrasound examination for the presence of dead fruit and decides on therapy.
Not always a similar phenomenon means the presence of pathology. For example, after fertilization, you may notice pink fluid flowing from the genital tract of the animal. Before starting the delivery process, the allocation of dark blood is also considered quite normal. This symptom cannot be ignored when kittens are already born.
In this situation, it may indicate mechanical damage to the uterine tissue. Injuries often occur during delivery. To eliminate this problem, drugs that stop blood are used. In severe cases, surgical intervention is necessary. Sometimes in a recently born female, infection of the genitals occurs as a result of a violation of sanitation. In this case, the cat has an outflow of blood and pus. To prevent infection, it is important to keep clean where the mother and her cubs are.
The appearance of a symptom after sterilization
Usually, such an operation involves the absence of estrus. However, spotting in a sterilized cat and sexual activity are sometimes observed, indicating the following conditions:
- Neoplasms in the adrenal or mammary glands.
- The presence of cysts in the uterus.
- Gradual cessation of hormone activity. These substances may be in the blood of an animal for some time after surgery. As a rule, after 8 weeks this period ends.
- The presence of genital tissue cells in other organs.
The presence of calculi in the urinary system
This pathology is often found among domestic animals.
Most often, it affects males. However, sometimes calculi in the organs of the urinary system are found in females. The exact causes of the formation of stones have not yet been identified. However, experts argue that the abuse of dry food, a deficiency of vitamin A and fluid in the diet, excess weight, gastrointestinal tract diseases and poor heredity can trigger an ailment. Stones are one of the possible explanations of why a cat has bleeding.
How to understand that an animal is unhealthy?
The phenomenon referred to in the article does not always indicate the presence of pathology. However, the presence of the disease may be indicated by such concomitant symptoms:
- Decreased pet activity.
- Cat refusal of food.
- Frequent, rare, or difficult urine output.
- Licking of the perineum.
- Heat.
- Acceleration of the heart rhythm, respiratory failure.
If such signs have arisen, you must urgently show the animal to a specialist who will carry out the necessary diagnostics. Examination with ultrasound and X-ray, laboratory tests of biological material will determine what causes the appearance of spotting. With timely contact with a doctor, a pet, as a rule, can be cured.