Can a spayed female have vaginal discharge?

[coaster]

I have a spayed calico about two years old. She was spayed a year ago. Occasionally when I pick her up with one hand supporting her back end, I've felt a little dampness on my hand. It has no smell, so I'm sure it's not anal gland secretion. My next guess is that maybe it's moisture from her vagina, since that's about where my hand was. Is this possible for a spayed cat? The reason this came to mind was because one of my male cats has a thing for frequently smelling and licking her behind.

 

[ktlynn]

Sometimes discharge from the vagina can signal a serious condition called pyometra, which even spayed cats can get (though more rarely than unspayed females). I don't *think* that's the case from what you're describing, but it would be a good idea to give your vet a call and see what he/she thinks it is to be on the safe side.

 

[slitty_kittay]

It could be a bit of incontinece... sounds a bit odd. I'm sorry I don't really have much experience with cats in that department. Sounds like it's worth a call to your vet, it might even be an UTI.

Kim

 

[emb_78]

I would also contact your vet!

 

[vanillasugar]

Originally Posted by KTLynn

Sometimes discharge from the vagina can signal a serious condition called pyometra, which even spayed cats can get (though more rarely than unspayed females). I don't *think* that's the case from what you're describing, but it would be a good idea to give your vet a call and see what he/she thinks it is to be on the safe side.

Isn't pyometra an infection of the uterus? And in a spay they remove the ovaries and uterus. I was under the impression that a spayed animal was therefore totally safe from Pyo, as there's nothing to be infected... I'd be interested in any information you have that says otherwise though, as I've never heard of it, and am interested if it IS indeed possible!

 

[sandtigress]

Originally Posted by lavender

Isn't pyometra an infection of the uterus? And in a spay they remove the ovaries and uterus. I was under the impression that a spayed animal was therefore totally safe from Pyo, as there's nothing to be infected... I'd be interested in any information you have that says otherwise though, as I've never heard of it, and am interested if it IS indeed possible!

That's what I thought too.

Unless some vets don't also remove the uterus and only the ovaries?

 

[gayef]

An oviohysterectomy (may not be spelled right - sorry) in a feline removes ovaries and uterus so when performed correctly, pyometra should not present.

My suggestion would be to have her in to see the vet, request that blood be drawn and analyzed and urine cultured to make certain she is free from UTI or other health concerns.

 

[coaster]

Thanks for the replies. I'm wondering now if maybe it was a little spot of urine. Didn't have any smell, though. But she is an excitable little cat. She might have let loose a little squirt when she was startled by something. She seems to urinate normally.

 

[ktlynn]

My spayed cat developed pyometra. Some vets refer to it as a "stump pyometra" because sometimes a small amount, or "stump" of uterine tissue is left behind. This tissue can become infected, as it did in my cat. In my cat's case it was easily treated because we caught it early, but left unchecked it can be fatal.

Though it's a rare, as I pointed out in my original post to Coaster, but potentially deadly condition, I felt it was worthwhile to mention.

 

[coaster]

I haven't seen or felt any more wet spots since starting this thread, so I'm just watching and waiting for right now. Thanks for all the useful info!!

 

[buzbyjlc10]

Can't say I have the experience with my cat (tee hee, he's only got boy parts!) but I have with my dog - I've got an 11 year old, spayed black lab, that "leaks" (that's what we call it) - she has leaked for a few years now... she'll be laying out cold and when she gets up there's a puddle left behind - clear and no smell... we took her to the vet and had tests done and there was no indication of a problem - my vet (who is also a trusted friend) explained it the same as what sometimes happens to us human girlies... ever laugh so hard or sneeze so hard that you piddle, just a little? (espeically present in older women and those who've had children, but not limited to them)... well this is basically the same idea, cept the dog/cat doesnt necessarily have to laugh or sneeze, and the piddle is sometimes in larger amounts (guess it all depends on the size of the animal)...

Not saying this is DEFINITELY the situation, but it's another idea... so it could be nothing, but you cant be absoultely sure without a trip to the vet.... my little (haha, she's actually more like a horse) Cuddles started leaking execissively and drinking A LOT more than usual about 2 weeks ago, so my mom took her in (I'm up at school) and she did end up with a UTI - so get your kitty checked out!

 

[sol]

Originally Posted by KTLynn

My spayed cat developed pyometra. Some vets refer to it as a "stump pyometra" because sometimes a small amount, or "stump" of uterine tissue is left behind. This tissue can become infected, as it did in my cat. In my cat's case it was easily treated because we caught it early, but left unchecked it can be fatal.

Though it's a rare, as I pointed out in my original post to Coaster, but potentially deadly condition, I felt it was worthwhile to mention.

Vaginal discharge caused by pyo should contain pus though (somtimes also blood). That kind of discharge really doesn't look healthy.

 

[rachiebabes]

Our cat has a discharge which has now happened probably 3-4 times; it has an absolutely fowl and offensive smell, is clear yet slightly sticky. She is keen to clean herself as soon as it comes away. She was spayed when only very young. She was a rescue cat so we don't know her true origin but was found in a ditch in a dustbin bag dumped with her brother . We were slightly too late to rescue both her and her brother, he went to another home

Can anyone, please, help us with a reason or cause for this discharge? Pip is due her booster jabs this month, so we plan asking our vet. Just thought we would see if anybody knew about anything similar please ... :chescat:

Thank you

 

[cprcheetah]

@Rachiebabes   She could have a vaginitis which is an infection in the vagina.  Especially if it is foul smelling.  I would ask your vet about it when you take her in.

ETA: I would probably get her checked out sooner, I thought about it and I have seen uterine stump Pyometra.  Foul smelling discharge isn't a good sign.  I would take her in as soon as you can.  I would hold off on the jabs until you find out what is causing the discharge.

 

[chloe16]

I would take her to the vet now and not wait for your booster appointment. In fact she shouldnt even be vaccinated if she has an active infection going which infections only get worse.

 

[shaheena]

I agree. This sounds very serious and should be taken care of as soon as possible.

 

[maui cheetah]

Well I'm stumped.  My cat is a 3-1/2 year old rescue, sprayed but continues to have a discharge that is really gross looking and smelling.  It is not her anal glands.  I've had her to the vet to the tune of several hundred dollars, she's been on antibiotics she didn't need as her urine came back without bacteria.  The symptoms here say it's foul smelling but clear.  This is definitely not clear.  She's overweight (16 pounds) and has difficulty getting down there to clean so I have to wipe her.  I just want to figure out what it is without having another $300 vet bill...anybody have any suggestions????

 

[cat mama4244]

my cat also has this problem...for over a year...been operated on twice to see if stump was infected..found nothing...pussy stinky discharge...

can anybody help me .....please

 

[sharon budd]

Oh im shocked my friends cat died of pyrometa we truely thought that once a cat was spayed there was no chance of this disease getting them until 5 months ago we had never even heard of it im absolutely shocked 2 hear of this stump pyo my ellas due to be spayed in 2 wks now im worried for her