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If your cat is in heat again despite being spayed, this is rather unusual, but it may indicate ovarian rest syndrome. This suggests that there was a mistake during the operation or a complication.
Cat in heat despite spaying: Ovarian remnant syndrome may be the cause
To avoid an unplanned pregnancy in cats, they should be spayed in good time before reaching sexual maturity. The procedure also reduces the cat’s heat cycle – the behavior with which the animals signal their readiness to mate.
- However, sometimes a cat may still show typical signs of being in heat despite being spayed: she rolls around on the floor, meows loudly, lifts her bottom, and may mark objects.
- This may be caused by ovarian remnant syndrome. This means that the ovaries were tied incorrectly during spaying or that remnants of ovarian tissue remained because the ovaries were not completely removed. It is also possible that ovarian tissue entered the cat’s abdominal cavity during spaying.
- These remnants of the ovaries ensure that the cat’s cycle can continue and she goes into heat.
- In some cases, ovarian remnant syndrome occurs just a few weeks after spaying, but in most cases the symptoms of a cat in heat only reappear after two to four years.
- Apart from ovarian remnant syndrome, hormone creams, behavioral disorders, or adrenal gland tumors can also cause a spayed cat to behave as if she is in heat.
What you can do if your cat is in heat despite being spayed
If you notice typical behaviors in your cat that indicate that your pet is in heat even though it has already been spayed, you should consult your veterinarian.
- The vet can use hormone measurements, a vaginal smear, or an ultrasound to determine whether any remnants of the ovaries remain in the cat’s abdomen after spaying and whether these are showing hormonal activity.
- A urine test can also provide useful information. Urine contains anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and in spayed cats, the level is below 0.1 ng/ml, while in unspayed cats, the AMH level is above 2.0 ng/ml.
- If the vet determines that ovarian tissue is still present, it can be removed by another operation. This is an important step in preventing inflammation of the uterus and tumor formation.
- Drug therapy is also an option. The cat is given progestogen preparations, but these can have side effects such as tumor formation, personality changes, or weight gain.
