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Did you know that female cats (and dogs) who are not spayed experience heat cycles? This is especially true during mating season. During heat your female cat may vocalize, display uncharacteristically aggressive behaviour, spray urine, become restless and attempt to get outside. Ultimately they are looking to mate. Heat cycles will continue until the cat is impregnated or spayed. However if impregnated, the cycle will start all over again after birth. The healthiest solution for your cat is to be spayed.
Spaying isn’t simply a form of population control, it can also prevent needless suffering. Not only will it prevent unwanted kittens being born on the streets but it will prevent people dumping their female cat when she becomes “aggressive” or displays unwanted behaviours; as was the case with Smudge.
Six-year-old Smudge was left at a kill-shelter for a sudden and unprovoked bite. EHS heard of Smudge’s situation and stepped in. At the time we weren’t certain what caused this behaviour. It was unclear if Smudge was spayed but after some digging we realized she wasn’t. Due to COVID, spay/neuter surgeries were backed up and had to be booked well in advance. This was an almost fatal issue in the case of Smudge. She had spiked a fever and our vet discovered that Smudge had an advanced case of Pyometra. Pyometra is an infection caused by bacteria entering the reproductive tract and hormonal changes that can cause pus to develop inside the uterus. Left untreated, it can be very serious and can lead to death.
When the emergency spay was performed the vet found that the infection had perforated her uterus and was leaking into her abdominal cavity. It was caught just in time.
It was now clear why Smudge had acted aggressively. Had she been spayed by her original owners, she would not have bitten someone in the family and she would not have developed this life-threatening illness.
We’re happy to say Smudge is back to being her sweet and adorably affectionate self and is healing well from her ordeal. She loves to curl up and cuddle in bed. She will often follow her foster around—even into the loo. She’s met visitors and seems at ease with new people. She did give her foster a small swat when she was poking around her incision making sure it was healing properly. She is a gorgeous black and white, short haired cat with an adorable “smudge” on her face. She would make a wonderful companion.
Spaying and neutering is an important procedure for the health of your pet. If it’s something you can’t afford please do an Internet search for low-cost options, call around to different vet clinics and make your pet’s well-being a priority. Most SPCA’s offer low-cost clinics that provide basic vaccinations, spayings and neuterings.