Sex can seriously damage your health...........if you are a female cat.

An infection of the womb (pyometra) is a life threatening condition and is relatively common in unspayed bitches. In contrast it is relatively rarely seen in the cat.

One reason for this is that most cat owners will have their cat spayed and therefore a womb infection simply cannot possibly occur; whilst there is a significant population of unspayed bitches where pyometra remains a distinct probability.

Another possible explanation is because of the different physiology which occurs during the reproduction process. Dogs, like humans, ovulate spontaneously on a regular time cycle - although the canine cycle is much longer (every 6-12 months as opposed to monthly ).

Once ovulation has occurred the influence of the hormone oestrogen wanes and is replaced by the hormone progesterone.

Whilst cats will come in to season every 2-3 weeks between January and September they will not ovulate unless mating or at least simulated mating occurs. The stimulus required to cause ovulation is heightened in cats by the presence of barbs on the male cats penis. The withdrawl of which from the queen usually produces a "visible and vocal response" as well as triggering the release of eggs and the subsequent marked elevation of progesterone.

It is the influence of this hormone progesterone on a uterus which is not pregnant which facilitates the subsequent incubation of opportunistic bacteria which allows a womb infection (pyometra) to develop.

This condition, although extremely serious, can usually be successfully resolved - as in Ellie's case with removal of the diseased womb through surgery and supportive treatment.

Another bonus is that this condition can never occur again as I'm sure Ellie is only too relieved to hear!

Terry Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS

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