Spayed cat in heat?

[kgtexan]

 I adopted a "spayed female" who was sweet as can be until she went into heat 2 weeks later. My vet confirmed it. Took her back to SPCA, the vet admitted he screwed up. (He couldn't find her ovaries, assumed she was spayed already and closed her up.) So he did a 2nd surgery.  A month later - she's in heat again. My vet did a 3rd surgery (which I had to pay for), said he removed some tissue that may have been ovarian tissue. She seemed to be calming down but a week after that surgery she's suddenly acting like in heat again. Butt up, tail to the side, body stretched out and wailing up a storm. Two odd things - first, that every incident has followed me being gone for 2-3 days.  Second - that she calms down when I put her in her travel carrier.  Even between her 'episodes', she never went back to her calm personality. She walks around the house crying. I work at home, and she really gets vocal when I'm talking on the phone. I've had to put her in my bedroom during phone calls.  Been reading about Rescue Remedy - would this help her calm down?? I'm desperate!!

 

[tulosai]

If you are sure her ovaries are removed at this time, no matter how she is acting, she isn't able to get pregnant. Do you trust your vet? It is really weird that all these surgeries have been done and she still appears to be in heat.

To me it sounds more like she is acting out regarding your having been gone than that she is actually in heat. How long ago did you adopt her? Do you know anything about her history? How old is she? Has she been checked by a vet for any other problems?

Hopefully someone else will be along to chime in soon!

 

[stephenq]

I'm not sure how much this can help the current situation but personally I would never go back to that vet.....

 

[ritz]

Interestingly I'm having a similar issue with a community cat in the colony I help take care of (TNR). Do male cats exhibit the same behavior (I thought they sprayed)?

 

[catwoman707]

The female cat who continues to go into heat cycles, is because she is, she is simply unable to become pregnant.

This is due to the same thing, ovarian tissue remains, and causes her body to produce hormones, so to her, she is still trying to mate.

It takes a thorough clean out of ALL tissue, it can even be hidden near organs, etc. and as long as there is any remaining, this will go on and on.

Poor girl!

 

[kgtexan]

Update on my situation - Egypt had a third surgery, this time by a different vet. He said he removed some tissue that might have been ovarian. She continued her heat-like behavior for another week, then started to settle down. But a week later, she started up all over again. She seems to be on a 3-4  week cycle. She cries a LOT (some days it's constant), except when she's sleeping. Sometimes it's a whiny cry, occasionally it's a loud gutteral wailing. Her tail still goes off to the side, and she has spasms in her back end. She goes almost rigid.  I've talked to the vet's office about it, and am getting no help at all. I feel like I will have to try another vet. In the meantime, she had me in tears last week and I boarded her for a few days just to get some relief. I am ready to get rid of her because I work at home and just can't take it any more. But I also don't want to just push her off to a shelter or put some other family through this. I really want to find a solution because she was an awesome cat before all this started.

 

[denice]

This is really beyond unusual or even rare.  Have you been to a cat only vet or even better a certified feline specialist?  http://www.catvets.com/cfp/cat-owners  is database of cats only vets with badges denoting this groups assessment of the practice.  If you can find a certified specialist that would be really good but there are fewer than 100 of them so you may not have one in your area.  They will have DABVP on the list of credentials behind their name.  Some use the title of Diplomat with the ABVP, the vet at the clinic I go to uses that.

I find it hard to believe that tissue could be missed this many times.

 

[kgtexan]

Thanks, Denice, the link does give me a list of cat-friendly vets in my area. None seem to have the certification, but I will check their websites if I can. I'm just glad to know about vets who focus on cats, because my current vet does not seem interested in helping beyond doing the surgery. I'll post more later after we visit one of these.

 

[denice]

Here is a website where you can search for board certified feline specialist  http://www.abvp.com/diplomate    I was going to put it in my first reply but I think the website was down, at least it wouldn't come up for me.  There are two specialists listed one is canine/feline the other just feline.  If you can find one in your area a feline only certified specialist would be good.  

 

[stephenq]

Is there a possibility that it isn't her in a cycle but some other medical condition?

 

[ritz]

I was also wondering what StepenQ asked: is it possible there is some hormonal imbalance going on? What if any blood work has been done?

 

[kgtexan]

Yes, I have wondered that as well. When I boarded her last Friday I asked if they could please look at her and possibly run some tests to check for hormone or chemical issues. When I picked her up yesterday, they shrugged their shoulders, said they don't see the behavior when she's in their office, and ignored my request for an appointment with the vet. I am currently looking for a new vet.

 

[kgtexan]

Fingers crossed! We have an appointment with one of the "cat-friendly" vets on Friday afternoon.

 

[ritz]

Good, very glad to hear it. Maybe other people who know much more than I do will suggest what specific tests you should ask for and whether your cat needs have fasted. The devil IS in the details.

 

[catwoman707]

The thing is here, in her THIRD surgery, the vet DID still find tissue, so it has been overlooked for sure.

It doesn't take much to cause the heat cycles to continue, and would bet there is tissue hiding somewhere still.

I would most definitely have her blood tested for hormonal levels, etc.

 

[feralvr]

Yes, I have wondered that as well. When I boarded her last Friday I asked if they could please look at her and possibly run some tests to check for hormone or chemical issues. When I picked her up yesterday, they shrugged their shoulders, said they don't see the behavior when she's in their office, and ignored my request for an appointment with the vet. I am currently looking for a new vet.

I want to agree that I think you should find a different feline vet in your area. One who specializes in feline veterinarian vet care if you can find one from the list Denice supplied above. I am also wondering if there is something more going on here. :dk: Your poor kitty having to go through these surgeries. Hard on both of you, surely.

I would most definitely have her blood tested for hormonal levels, etc.

absolutely and a vaginal smear too?

 

[kgtexan]

Yes, when the vet responded to an email inquiry she said she wanted to do blood work and a vaginal smear.

 

[feralvr]

Yes, when the vet responded to an email inquiry she said she wanted to do blood work and a vaginal smear.

Keep us posted then. More vibes will help.

 

[kgtexan]

My cat has an evil plot to discredit me with every veterinarian I take her to! LOL  She started calming down yesterday, and put on her angelic face and acted almost totally normal at the vet's office. :-)

In spite of her best efforts, though, she did exhibit a little of the 'estrous' behavior. The vet drew blood for a test and results should be in early next week. And Egypt's behavior gives me hope that she still has the potential to return to her sweet disposition at home.

The vet said she wanted to hold off on the vaginal swab until Egypt goes back into the heat-like cycle. I'm betting we'll be back in their office within 7-10 days if her pattern continues. I definitely like this vet. She answered a lot of questions, and did not show the skepticism that I saw with the last vet.

 

[berbdcat]

Thats good that you found a good vet Poor Egypt though... she must be veeeery confused  

 with surgeries and vets and going into heat but not mating and all that. Make sure to tell us how things go