Vaginal Discharge in Cats

When your cat is suffering from vaginal discharge, she may groom excessively, suffer from loss of energy or appetite, and in some instances, act perfectly normal other than abnormal discharge.  When your female cat is suffering from vaginal discharge, you may also notice a change in behavior towards her from the other cats in your household, especially any male cats present.

Vaginal discharge in cats is a broad symptom that can be caused by a number of underlying conditions.  Many of these conditions may be life-threatening, and it is important that you bring your cat to your veterinarian for a full examination if vaginal discharge is occurring. 

While the symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause, vaginal discharge in your cat is always characterized by an abnormal discharge from the vaginal area.  The discharge may come in various colors and consistencies, depending on the underlying cause.  A breakdown of the potential symptoms to watch for includes:

• Vaginal discharge either clear (mucus) or pus-like, potentially accompanied by blood
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Excessive Grooming
• Excessive Thirst
• High Temperature
• Excessive Attention from Male Cats

Vaginal discharge in cats tends to be a symptom, or an indication of an underlying disease, infection or other condition.  There are, however, several common causes of vaginal discharge in cats.

• Pyometra, a potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus, typically found in unsprayed adult female cats
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginosis
• Foreign bodies
• Certain warts or other growths
• Injury due to trauma or copulation

In order to diagnose the cause of vaginal discharge in your cat, the veterinarian will first need a detailed medical and lifestyle history of your pet.  Some of the important information you will need to gather includes whether your cat is spayed and whether they are an indoor/outdoor cat or exclusively indoors.  You should also make a note of when the discharge began and provide a description of as many additional symptoms as possible.  Changes in eating, sleeping or drinking habits will be especially important.

Your vet will conduct a thorough medical examination of your cat.  Temperature and any sensitivity to pressure to the pelvic area will help determine if there is an infection of the uterus or related organs.  Your doctor will also ask for bloodwork to determine white blood cell count, especially if there is pus or a bloody discharge.

The physical exam may also include scoping with a miniature camera or other optical device, to determine the presence of any injury or foreign bodies.  This may require that your cat be mildly sedated depending on temperament.  In the case of obvious infection, your vet will seek to make a quick diagnosis, as this condition can be life-threatening.

Since vaginal discharge in cats can have a variety of causes, treatment will be tailored as much as possible to the underlying disease or condition.  

Treatment of Infection, or Pyometra

If the underlying cause of the vaginal discharge is diagnosed as pyometra, or an infection of the uterus, your vet will have several courses of treatment to recommend. The most common course of treatment for pyometra is surgical, in which a spay procedure is performed and the entire uterus is removed.  The doctor will take care to not nick or puncture the uterus which would spread the infection throughout your cat.  It is important to note that while this may be the more invasive procedure, it also produces the highest rates of recovery as the condition cannot recur once the uterus is removed.

Treatment of Other Causes of Vaginal Discharge in Your Cat

Treatment of vaginal discharge in your cat in cases other than infection can range from physical removal of a foreign object to management with medication.  In the case of injury, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream to prevent additional infection of the area.  In the case of a UTI, oral antibiotics can also be administered.

As long as treatment is sought quickly for your cat’s vaginal discharge, the prognosis for recovery is very good.  In the event of treatment of pyometra via a spay procedure, cats are typically able to return to their normal routines shortly after returning home.  It will be important to completely administer any medications and to return to your veterinarian at the correct time to have any stitches or staples removed from the incision site. 

In the case of a UTI, foreign body or other minor injury, time is on your side.  Given enough time and properly administered medications, your cat’s injury will begin to heal over the course of several days to a week.

Vaginal discharge could be symptomatic of a serious medical condition. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.