What is Miscarriage?
Miscarriage in cats occurs when there is either a deliberate or unexplained termination of pregnancy in your cat. Miscarriage may be chemically induced under the supervision and/or advice of your vet. It can also occur for a variety or hormonal or physical reasons. If your cat is in the early stages of pregnancy, you may not notice any signs or symptoms and the fetuses may be reabsorbed by your cat’s body. In later stages, your cat may miscarry and then develop maternal instincts and behaviors, up to developing milk and crying or pacing, looking for kittens. If you expect your cat is miscarrying you should seek immediate veterinary care.
Miscarriage Average Cost
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Average Cost
$800
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Symptoms of Miscarriage in Cats
The symptoms of miscarriage in your cat may be minor if the pregnancy is in the first several weeks. Generally, however, you will see noticeable signs of a miscarriage. These may include:
- Bloody discharge
- Disappearance of fetuses previously seen in ultrasound or felt via palpation
- Abdominal straining
- Discomfort
- Depression
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Delivery of premature, dead, or nonviable fetuses
Causes of Miscarriage in Cats
Miscarriage is a condition that may have a variety of underlying causes. While it may not always be possible, it is important to attempt to diagnose the underlying cause of the miscarriage to rule out potential infections or other conditions that may be life-threatening to your cat. Common causes include:
- Feline leukemia virus
- Feline herpesvirus
- Bacterial disease such as chlamydia
- Protozoal infections
- Injury
- Exposure to chemicals known to induce labor or miscarriage
- Congenital defects
- Inbreeding resulting in genetic issues
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Severe stress
- Hormonal imbalances
Diagnosis of Miscarriage in Cats
Diagnosis of miscarriage in your cat will begin with a thorough physical exam. If your cat has miscarried at home, you should arrange to bring any aborted fetuses with you for your vet to examine, if possible. The fetuses may provide important clues regarding the underlying cause of the miscarriage. In the initial visit, your vet may choose to order ultrasound or x-ray imaging in order to confirm there are no additional fetuses retained. Living fetuses may need support in order to avoid being miscarried and dead fetuses will need to be removed from the cat in order to avoid infection and potential death to your pet. These images will also allow examination of the internal organs of your cat.
During the initial exam, you should provide a thorough history of your cat’s pregnancy. Approximate date of impregnation and identity of the sire, if known, may be important facts for a proper diagnosis. Onset of symptoms and length of time of any unusual behavior such as lack of eating or your cat beginning to nest, will also be helpful.
Your vet will also order a full blood panel. This will allow your veterinarian to identify the presence of any infection and will provide an analysis of various hormone levels throughout your cat’s body. If there are signs of a cold or infection, various smears from the nose, ears and mouth should also be taken to potentially identify an upper respiratory or other type of infection. A stool sample may also be ordered in order to test for parasites.
Treatment of Miscarriage in Cats
Treatment of your cat after miscarriage will depend on whether she needs to be stabilized and the underlying cause of the miscarriage. In the event there are retained fetuses, your vet may administer drugs that cause contractions in your cat to help eliminate the remaining tissue. This will be conducted in your veterinarian’s office and will prevent your cat from becoming infected as the fetuses continue to break down inside of the uterus.
In the case of infection, your vet may choose to prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic pending identification of the exact bacteria causing the infection. If a cold is minor, they may recommend conservative treatment with rest and fluids. With parasites, your vet will prescribe an appropriate parasite therapy. These are typically administered orally in the form of a paste, gel, or tablet.
If the underlying cause is injury, your vet may prescribe pain medication or anti-inflammatory medication to help your cat recover more quickly.
Finally, in some instances, your veterinarian may recommend spaying your cat to prevent future pregnancies. This is especially true if the miscarriage was caused by congenital defects, by hormonal abnormalities that cannot be easily corrected in future pregnancies, or after multiple miscarriages.
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Recovery of Miscarriage in Cats
In most cases, your cat will recover well from a miscarriage as long as she receives proper treatment for the underlying condition. It will be important to administer all of the prescribed medications in the appropriate doses, especially in the case of infection.
Some cats may need additional support if they seem depressed or lethargic or are pacing and acting agitated. In these cases it may be appropriate to isolate your cat in a quiet, warm and comforting space until the hormones triggered by the miscarriage and labor subside.
Overall, the prognosis for recovery from miscarriage in your cat is good and she should go on to live a long and healthy life.
Miscarriage Average Cost
From 373 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,200
Average Cost
$800
Top
Miscarriage Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
cat
Two Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My cat has had 2 litters of kittens and I came home to a miscarriage on my floor. She's still bleeding and passing more but I don't know what to do for her at this time. There is no emergency vet near me.
Oct. 5, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
6 Recommendations
Your regular vet should have the details to their emergency cover. All vets must offer an emergency service. If you live remotely, the University hospital is likely your best option. This needs to be investigated ASAP to check for e.g. infection or anaemia. She likely needs fluids and antibiotics.
Oct. 5, 2021
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Cat
One Year
10 found this helpful
10 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pregnant
My cat is pregnant and she as a green clear discharge
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
10 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Depending on how far along she is, that discharge may be normal, or it could be a sign of infection. If she is still having the discharge, it would be a good idea to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine her, see if there is anything wrong, and make sure that she is healthy to have the kittens.
Oct. 7, 2020
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Affenpinscher
Two Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Stain Of Blood
U saw blood stain and lyk bloody meat
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If your pet has a wound, and it is bleeding, It would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pet and see what might be causing this, and let you know what treatment might help.
Oct. 11, 2020
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Domestic shorthair
One Year
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Dry Blood Around Vulva
How do I know if she gonna have the babys
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If she appears to be pregnant, and she is not spayed, she may be having kittens. Cats are pregnant for about 62 days.
If you are concerned that something else might be wrong, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them and see what might be going on, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 12, 2020
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American short-haired
1.5 Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sad/Depressed
A few days over two weeks ago we had our cat spayed. She was pregnant and it was terminated. She seems to be very sad or depressed, and spends the vast majority of the day nursing her 4 months old kittens or her sister's 2 month old kittens. She does eat and drink, but mostly just nurses the kittens. Should I be concerned?
Sept. 7, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It isn't completely typical for a cat to be that depressed after being spayed while pregnant, but she may be having some hormonal changes, and that can take a few weeks to really resolve. As long as she is eating and drinking, and generally seems active and urinating normally and defecating normally, then you may be fine to continue to monitor her. Over time, she should return to her normal self. It may help to try to discourage her four month old kittens from nursing on her as well as the other kittens, is that may be encouraging the hormonal changes. If she continues to be depressed, or she stops eating, then she should see a veterinarian for an examination. I hope that everything goes well for her and she feels better soon.
Sept. 7, 2020
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Grey cat with white
Poppy
11 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Light Bloody Discharge
My cat Poppy belonged to our neighbour and we adopted her after she and her sister were poisoned with slug feed. Her sister died but Poppy survived at 2.5 months. Then she got pregnant at 11 months and was going okey when I noticed a bit of a bloody discharge. I immediately took her to the vet and the ultrasound shower at 45 days feutuces had to heart beat. Poppy had to have the chemically induced miscarrige to help her avoid complications like an infection. This was done in 2 steps with a 24 hour interval. However I see no signs of miscarrige at all. Poppy had no visible pain, no visible contractions, and we found no foetuses. She did lie under a tree for hours still like and on couches. Before going ahead with the miscarriage I asked for the blood test to be done and the vet said Poppy ate something bad and as a result her blood does not clot, which caused the death of fetuces. I was totally sure she could not have eaten anything with poison as we are always together and she us an interior cat. Which lead us to think it was actually her slug feed poisoning as a kitten which caused her the death of her kittens. But now the problem is that I do not understand if the fetuces came out and am very worried. I appreciate your input. Thank you. Elena.
Orange and White Tabby
Luna
10 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sad
My cat started leaking amniotic fluid two days ago, then today she gave birth to two very large dead kittens. Both were breech and no longer had sac. Both came out with placentas intact. She is eating and drinking, but very clingy, and seems fine. Only a spot of slightly bloody discharge here and there. Should I still take her to a vet, or only if she shows any signs of distress, lethargy, or illness. I believe the miscarriage was caused by her very small litter being very large and the first one must have gotten stuck. I had to grab it’s leg with hemostats to help her deliver it. She steamed in pain during that one. I will have her spayed ASAP. We didn’t realize she had gone into heat and isolated her as soon as we noticed. Apparently she had mated once with a neighborhood stray.
Miscarriage Average Cost
From 373 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,200
Average Cost
$800
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
