Expert: W - 7/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello
I have a female ragdoll cat who will be 2 years old next week.  She has now been with 2 different stud cats and failed to become pregnant.  She has been calling before putting her with the stud cat and this is now the 5th time she has been unsuccessful - before I take her to the vets and incur a very expensive bill could you advise me what else to try or what to do now.  Both stud cats have proven success matings with other females.
Thank you
Alison

ANSWER: Hi Alison

This is a really vexed question.
Your ragdoll may have very low fertility, suggesting she has a medical problem. Does she have a high Inbreeding Coefficient. Are there common ancestors in both parents for instance in her pedigree.

The vet may actaully inject her with something like gonadotrophin to encourage ovulation. Unfortunately there is very little else you can do if she is suffering from reduced fertility.

I would also question is she worth breeding from if she is carrying this defect as she will surely pass it on to any females she may deliver.

Ray


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your advice, the injection like gonadotrophin to encourage ovulation, is this given when calling or anytime?

ANSWER: Hi Alison
Your vet may suggest giving the drug at any time between oestrus cycles. I would think it better to give her a course of injections between heat cycles and then just before she goes off to mating

Regards

Ray

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Looks like a trip to the vets - just one more question I will check out her pedigree certificate as you suggested but I took out pet plan insurance on her for breeding when I purchased her as a kitten - do you think I might be covered for expenses due to possible infertility?

Answer
Dear Alison

I think you need to check the fine print on your insurance. As you know many insurance companies have fine print listing the exclusions so pay particular attention to these.

In my opinion most insurance plans cover the event of injury, ill health or death, but I am not sure about infertility. They could argue that if it is caused by inbreeding then they cannot insure for that, and they could also say the tom has a part to play.

Your vet should be able to test for levels of oestrogen and progestogen in your cat and then work out a plan of action from there.

I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be if your queen does not have litters. In my case I gave up with the cat and had her neutered. I hope that it doesn't come to that.

Best Wishes

Ray