I have a 10 month old female cat. Can anyone tell me why she is coming into heat so much? She'll come for about 2 weeks then go out for 1 then back into heat again and again. She has lost a lot of weight also. I'm worried about her. I live on very low income, and I'm trying to save $10 a month just to take her to the vet. Can anyone help me with answers?
By Julie from Bonifay, FL
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Cats are called "induced ovulators". They typically will remain "in heat" until they have been stimulated to drop the ova/egg (by copulation/intercourse). If she is indoors she may be sort of stimulating herself against furniture, but not really enough to ovulate. Check into low cost spay/neuter places in your area or humane society. Good luck. Cats can be so annoying in heat!
Hello, Julie. Why does your cat go in and out of heat? 'Cuz she's a non spayed cat! As "tamlabar" stated, this will probably continue until she is either spayed or becomes pregnant. (And just because she is an indoor cat, don't underestimate her instinct and ability to dash out the door and find relief from a willing and able male feline stranger!)
If you can't find a low cost spay/neuter place as "tamlabar" suggested, start calling vets in your area and ask about payment plans. At 10 months of age, assuming she is healthy, she will recover quickly from the surgery and both of you will be a lot happier in the long run. Your kitty needs your help: Get her fixed as soon as possible. Okay?
Good luck and wishing the two of you many years of friendship.
I thoroughly agree with what has already been mentioned and especially, because of financial reasons, to search out low cost clinics and/or vets who will allow monthly payments. At many Humane Society facilities they offer no cost spaying for low income citizens or can direct you to possible safe vets who offer it. Here are many reasons I found for assorted important health benefits in spaying your baby girl as soon as you can. :-)
Disadvantages of not spaying your cat
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Estrus: Cats are 'spontaneous ovulators.' This means a cat will ovulate, or release the eggs from her ovaries, only if she is mated. If a female cat is in heat (she will be in heat for 3 to 16 days) and is not mated, she will come back into heat every 14 to 21 days until she is mated. Physiological and behavioral patterns press upon her to mate. Being locked in an apartment or house where this is impossible causes great anxiety and frustration (for her, and you).
Behavior and hygienic problems: During the heat cycle there are numerous behavior problems that may develop. Females in heat will actively search out male cats and may attempt to escape from the house or yard, putting them in the danger of traffic, fights with other animals, etc. Often there is a sudden influx of male cats around the home and yard. The howling at 2 a.m. will affect your behavior as well as your cat's. In addition, unspayed females may spray urine when they are heat. This can be difficult to stop, and it is highly recommended that such cats are spayed as part of the treatment.
Mammary cancer: Mammary cancer is the third most common cancer in cats. Reproductive hormones are one of the primary causes of mammary cancer in the cat. Cats who have been spayed have a 40-60% lower risk of developing mammary cancer than those who have not been spayed.
Tumors of the reproductive tract: Tumors also occur in the uterus and ovaries. An OHE would, of course, eliminate any possibility of this occurring. They are not commonly seen cancers in cats, but they do occur.
Infections of the reproductive tract:Unspayed cats may develop a severe uterine disease called pyometra. With this disorder, bacteria enter the uterus and it becomes filled with pus. The normal 6-inch long, thin horns of the uterus enlarge to 10 inches long and can become the diameter of a human thumb. Undetected, this condition is almost always fatal. In rare cases, when the condition is found early, hormonal and antibiotic therapy may be successful. This type of therapy is limited to valuable breeding animals. Generally, the treatment of pyometra requires a difficult and expensive ovariohysterectomy. The toxicities resulting from the infection can strain the kidneys or heart, and in some cases may be fatal or cause life long problems, even after the infected uterus has been removed.
Summary: An ovariohysterectomy eliminates many medical and behavioral problems. In fact, in many cats, an OHE probably adds years to their lives or at least provides them with a more comfortable, less stressful life. The OHE does its part in pet overpopulation, but you, as the owner of an individual cat, should also view it as a way to increase the length and quality of your pet's life with you.
I had 2 sister cats and before they were fixed someone was always in heat. It was relentless. It's not uncommon that it happens frequently; I always thought there was more time in between each bout, but that's not necessarily the case. Don't be concerned that it's happening too much. I used to rub mine quite fast and hard on their backs kind of in a circular motion, right where the back meets the tail and they seemed to get some relief. (It was kind of weird, but I did it anyhow.) They get all distorted and really seem to like it, and then they were peaceful for the rest of the day.
Our humane society here has a spay and neuter clinic for low income people. They charge $25 to spay a female cat. Ask at your local shelter.
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