Can a spayed cat go into heat?

Let's explore whether a spayed cat can go into heat. It's not uncommon for a spayed cat to go into heat—asking for a male cat, despite the surgery. Hormonal issues, medical errors, and not being at the right age for the procedure can cause a spayed cat to go into heat. To avoid these problems, it's necessary to undergo a diagnosis and follow your veterinarian's advice.

Why does a spayed cat need a male cat?

Approximately one in seven female cats begins to desire a male cat again after spaying. A common cause of this behavior is ovarian remission syndrome, which causes symptoms typical of estrus.

There may be:

• rolling an animal on the floor;
• a long and loud meow;
• arching the back;
• presence of traces of blood in urine;
• frequent licking of the area under the tail;
• persistence in demanding affection.

The syndrome is triggered by ovarian tissue remaining in the pet's body. The characteristic clinical picture usually appears a couple of weeks after the procedure.

There are 3 reasons why estrus may develop:

1. Surgical error. During the operation, an inexperienced surgeon failed to completely remove the organ. The incision line may have been low, leaving a fragment of the gonad capable of producing sex hormones. The surgeon overestimated their skill and made an incision that was too small, preventing a full surgical procedure.
2. The presence of ectopic ovarian tissue growing elsewhere in the body. Ectopic tissue in adjacent areas is not pathological. However, in the absence of paired organs, the tissue may begin producing hormones that regulate sexual desire. This problem is hereditary. Ectopic tissue forms during fetal development and is extremely difficult to detect in an adult animal.
3. Transplantation of viable cells into the abdominal cavity. This is typical of damage to the gonad during surgery. Therefore, the surgeon makes an incision, taking care not to touch the organ itself. This problem most often arises due to the physician's inexperience or when using endoscopy—a procedure performed through natural openings and without an external incision.

The only way to eliminate the risk of a cat going into heat is through an ovariohysterectomy—a complex removal of the ovaries and uterus.

Other reasons

After sterilization, a cat may go out with male cats due to hormones received from outside or produced by the body:

1. If a pet owner uses estrogen-containing ointments for medical treatment or cosmetic purposes, a spayed cat is likely to go into heat. The animal simply needs to lick the ointment from the owner's skin or rub against her to receive a dose of hormones that trigger the characteristic symptoms. Hairless breeds are particularly at risk.
2. Hormone production is often redirected, with the adrenal glands shifting from the gonads to producing estrogen. However, this functional substitution only occurs in the case of a benign adrenal tumor or cancer.

Multiple gonads, a rare condition in which more than two organs are present, are among the causes of retained sexual drive. Heat may also persist if a male cat is neutered or a female cat is spayed after mating. Therefore, veterinarians recommend that pet owners have the procedure performed before the first mating. The ideal time is between six months and one year. However, even with proper timing, sex hormones can linger in the body for about a month and trigger estrus, despite proper spaying.

In recent years, home sterilization has become more common. Sometimes, scammers posing as veterinary surgeons arrive to shave the animal's fur and make a shallow incision. To avoid a fake surgery, pets should be spayed only at a licensed clinic.

Can a cat get pregnant after spaying?

Such cases occur when the reproductive organs are not completely removed and the uterus is preserved. Sometimes, traditional doctors prefer to remove only one ovary. In Soviet times, it was believed that removing both gonads would render the animal disabled, while removing one ovary could stop the animal from estrus.

Pregnancy is also possible if the paired organs are not removed, but only a tubal ligation is performed. This procedure is aimed at blocking the passage of eggs produced by the gonads. A mature egg cannot reach the uterus, and pregnancy cannot occur. However, the thread used to tie the tubes may dissolve over time, which, in the case of mating, can lead to complications such as fertilization and egg implantation in the uterus.

Diagnosing the problem

Before seeking treatment, it's important to confirm that the dog is in heat. Sometimes, animals adopt characteristic postures and vocalize for other reasons, such as pain, discomfort, or the attraction of the specific scent of valerian or catnip. Therefore, if similar symptoms appear, it's important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian.

The diagnostics include the following procedures:

1. A visual examination with an owner interview. Common questions include where and by whom the procedure was performed, the animal's vocalizations, and what creams and ointments the owner uses.
2. Complete blood count, biochemistry if necessary.
3. An ultrasound of the abdominal cavity to detect remnants of the gonads or unremoved ovaries, to exclude pathologies of internal organs that cause pain.
4. A vaginal smear to determine signs of estrus - the material should contain anuclear superficial cells.

For hormonal issues, testing for LH (luteinizing hormone) can be effective. In a spayed animal, its level remains high throughout life, reaching 2 nmol or more. If the level is low, the ovary has not been completely removed.

A stimulation test with human chorionic gonadotropin can help detect ectopia. The test is performed in two stages on the same day. Blood is drawn for estradiol before stimulation and 6 hours after, and the results are compared. If the level is elevated, the ovary has not been completely excised or ectopic tissue is present.

What to do

Depending on the examination results, the doctor prescribes the most appropriate treatment method:

1. Veterinarians often recommend a repeat surgery. However, it's important to keep in mind that finding remnants of the gonads or ectopic areas is difficult, and the procedure itself carries health risks due to anesthesia and the potential for abdominal adhesions.
2. Laparoscopy with simultaneous examination of the abdominal cavity, with detection and excision of the remaining ovary.
3. Medications that regulate estrus in pets can be used. The dosage should be prescribed by a veterinarian. Products such as "Sex Barrier," "Covinan," and "Gestrenol" have earned positive reviews from owners, as they relieve estrus symptoms within a few days. However, hormonal medications are often blamed for the development of cancer.
4. Chemical castration with implantation is recommended when the body continues to produce hormones for an unspecified reason. The procedure does not require anesthesia and is suitable for both young and older pets. However, the implant's effectiveness decreases over time.

Spaying relieves owners of the hassle associated with a cat's pregnancy and birth. However, a cat can wander off in search of a mate or ruin their owners' moods with mournful meowing and rolling on the floor if the procedure is performed incorrectly or if there's a hormonal imbalance. Therefore, it's best to have your pet spayed at a clinic that has a certificate confirming the quality of their veterinary care.

Read also:

• What to do if a cat doesn't eat anything?
• My cat won't drink water: what to do
• Deworming of cats