Expert: Jessica - 7/4/2010

Question
hi-
i am fostering a pregnant cat i found in my yard. i have  no idea how far alone she is. the vet said any day and it has been two weeks. she is very large with large nipples and i can feel her kittens moving around inside. i am guessing she is about 7 weeks along if not 8; but i can't say for sure.
she is eating and drinking good and purrs. she seesm to be healthy. the vet did give her a distempet and rabies as well as revolution oon her neck.
my question is this, she is having small thick very light brown, no smell discharge from her  vaginal area. she had two today, one about the size of a rice and the other a little bigger, same consistency though. about a week ago she had a large discharge, i noticed it on her butt area and removed it. same conistancy, only a bit bigger than the last two. is this normal? thanks nancy

Answer
Hi Nancy,

A thick, light brown discharge isn't normal.  It tends to be a sign of infection.  Sometimes the infection can be of a placenta or amniotic sac, or it may be of the vagina, or more seriously of the whole uterus.  In certain cases, the cat may be suffering from an infection called pyometra, where pus begins to collect in the uterus.  The pus fills with bacteria and leaks from the vagina as a thick brown discharge.  Pyometra is less common in pregnant cats than in cats who've recently been in heat but have not conceived.  However, it's still possible, and one of my own foster cats had a case of it.  The disease is deadly to mom and kittens if not promptly treated.  Sometimes a strong antibiotic can cure pyometra.  But if the litter is believed to be full term and pyometra is suspected, an emergency spay may be a better choice.  Removing the infected uterus is to best way to treat this disease.

Certainly, I would recommend to have the kitty examined by the vet to find out what the discharge appears to be.  If it seems to be a minor vaginal infection with no signs of abdominal tenderness, then an antibiotic should probably be fine to treat her.  If her abdomen seems tender, you are probably looking at something a little more serious, and you should discuss with the vet how best to proceed.

Good luck with mom and the upcoming litter!

Jessica