I need help with a kitten who has been going into heat every other week for two months now. Long story short(ish), my fiancee and I found her hanging my two legs in a fence when she was about eight weeks old. No clue how she ended up that way, but she was obviously a stray. After a bunch of vet visits, her broken back leg healed and the nerve damage in both legs resolved itself over a two month period. Fast forward two more months to her spay appointment. Even though there were no prior indications of a heart murmur during the five + visits prior, during the pre-surgery exam, the vet heard a loud murmur so we cancelled the surgery and scheduled an echocardiogram. The echo showed that she had HMC - likely genetic because the blood test that shows damage due to infection was negative. She’s on a blood thinner and high blood pressure medication and has her 30 day follow up next week. I bought a stethiscope because I wanted to hear it, and it hasn’t gone away. At seven or eight months old, she will likely be on meds until the heart disease kills her. But until then, she can’t be put under anesthesia. So, this whole every other week heat cycle is (not) a joy - the howling, marking (I bought a cat diaper and she poops in it - not a full poop but just enough where I have to take it off and wash she and the diaper) and keeping us up all night is not the greatest. The vet said there isn’t anything they can give her - no birth control pill for cats. So I ordered those pheromones (collar and diffuser) and a thunder jacket to see if that does anything. I’m almost out of ideas, and may have to come to terms with getting very little sleep every other week while she’s with us, but thought I’d also try to crowdsource ideas. Thank you!!
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Help - Kitten Who Can’t Be Spayed
- Thread starter Disherkm
- Start Date
There ARE birth control pills/shots for cats. American vets don't like to use them for cats, because they're only approved for dogs and they can increase cancer risk. But they can be prescribed off-label if necessary.
A heart specialist may be able to do the spay, or stabilize her while another vet does the spay, if you can afford specialist care.
It can't be healthy for her to be under that kind of stress all the time. Call the vet, explain that to him, and ask what the options are because the two of you just can't live that way. Ask for a specialist if necessary. If he isn't any help, try a different vet.
A heart specialist may be able to do the spay, or stabilize her while another vet does the spay, if you can afford specialist care.
It can't be healthy for her to be under that kind of stress all the time. Call the vet, explain that to him, and ask what the options are because the two of you just can't live that way. Ask for a specialist if necessary. If he isn't any help, try a different vet.
The heat cycles aren't good for her heart either. YES, there are pills AND shots for cats. AND, if you know a breeder, you could possibly borrow a teaser tom (a tomcat who has had a vasectomy) to mate with her to end her heat cycle. Below is an article that explains the options, and gives the names of the medications.
Cat Birth Control Options Beyond Spaying and Neutering (vetinfo.com)
Cat Birth Control Options Beyond Spaying and Neutering (vetinfo.com)
The vasectomized tom is not that unreasonable a suggestion. I almost did that for a cat I had years ago but since she had no medical conditions we were able to make it to the spaying thankfully.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Thank you!! I have asked both her regular vet as well as the cardiac vet about a shot to get the heat cycles to stop and both gave me the “not really anything like that for cats” answer. I had researched a bit online but figured it wasn’t viable for whatever reason. But I’m going to ask again and if I get the same answer, I’ll find a new vet. I appreciate the response!!
And write down the names of those medications for them! This might be something that they are unfamiliar with in your area.
