Bleeding after my cat was spayed

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I’d like to get your thoughts following my last two visits to the vet. Maybe I’m being a bit overprotective, but I believe that when you have a pet, you have a duty to look after them properly.

I have a little 10-month-old female kitten called Vaïana. She’s very cuddly, lovely, playful... she’s my baby! After her first season, I decided to have her spayed on 23rd March 2018. In the fortnight following the op, I noticed little droplets of blood on the floor tiles. The blood was coming from her vulva. When I took her to the vet, he took a urine sample and tested it with a dipstick and under a microscope. He told me she had haemorrhagic cystitis (apparently very common in cats...), but that it had nothing to do with the operation. He gave her an antibiotic jab and I gave her antibiotic tablets for 15 days.

My problem is that Vaïana is still bleeding despite the treatment. It’s just a few drops that can last for two or three days. She isn’t cleaning herself properly down there. And when we pick her up or when she sleeps with us, we often end up with blood stains on us. That said, she’s eating and drinking well, has no issues using the litter tray, doesn't seem to be in any pain, and her behaviour hasn't changed. After a month of this bleeding, I’m really upset because she was in perfect health before the surgery.

So, I’ve just taken her back to the vet, but unfortunately, he couldn't send a urine sample to the lab because she wouldn't go. In his opinion, there are several possibilities:

- some kind of trauma related to the operation.

- a specific type of urinary tract infection (I can't remember the name).

- something like a *****’s season (again, I can't remember the name), like a hormone imbalance. However, since she’s been spayed, he thinks that’s impossible, especially as she’s a cat.

So that’s where things stand. No progress made, and I just have to wait again. Even though he’s assured me it’s not serious, I’m sceptical. What do you think? Have any of you dealt with this kind of thing before?

Translated from French
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    • ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    @cassie

    Be careful with that "...psychological trauma related to the surgery..." excuse.

    I'm not entirely sure if they’re using that to explain the bleeding, but if that's the case, it’s absolute rubbish. Your vet has likely mucked something up and doesn't know how to fix it, so they're just giving you the run-around and talking nonsense. On top of that, they’ve clearly misdiagnosed the issue and prescribed a course of antibiotics that isn’t even necessary...

    You should find a new vet immediately to get this sorted for the sake of your cat.

    Kind regards

    Translated from French
    R
    Ragnar Icon representing the flag French
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    But... is she having any trouble peeing? Is she meowing when she’s in her litter tray? Any accidents outside the tray? With cystitis, there’d be other symptoms besides the bleeding, wouldn’t there? I’m nowhere near being a vet, but to me, the issue must be related to the op. It’s probably nothing serious since she seems her usual self, but maybe she needs a little procedure to stop the bleeding? I don’t know :( I wish I could help, but I’m not sure what to tell you. For what it’s worth, I really doubt it’s a case of cystitis. It might be a total coincidence, but bleeding in that area, plus these strange issues (meaning no other symptoms), and all happening so soon after an operation... it seems a bit too much of a coincidence for it not to be related to the surgery.
    Translated from French
    G
    Greylox Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    Thanks for your reply, that's very kind of you.

    I was a bit sceptical to be honest, as he couldn't really explain what's going on with her. Her urine samples are at the lab at the moment, and I should get the results back in three days.

    I posted this because I wanted some outside perspective or to hear from people who've dealt with the same thing; even though she seems fine in herself, she's passing blood and it's really worrying me. The waiting is driving me mad... 🥱

    So, to answer your question: aside from cases of cystitis, I've personally never come across this before. ;)

    Hang in there and stay patient.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, Thanks for your reply, that’s very kind of you. To be honest, I was a bit sceptical since he couldn't give me any explanation for her case. Her urine samples are at the lab at the moment and I should have the results in three days. I posted this because I wanted to get some outside opinions or hear from people who've been in the same boat. Even though she seems fine in herself, she's passing blood and it's really worrying me. Having to wait is driving me mad... 🥱 So, once again, after yet another check-up, they're saying it might be psychological trauma related to the surgery. I'll keep you posted in a few days!
    Translated from French
    R
    Ragnar Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, I honestly have no idea what's causing this bleeding. However, reading your post, I get the impression – and I might be wrong – that you’ve lost confidence in your vet. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably look into switching vets if you have the option. It's not that they aren't doing a good job (I'm in no position to judge), but for one, you don't seem to be on the same wavelength, and more importantly, they haven't been able to reach a diagnosis for this case.

    Another vet might spot something that this one has missed. :)

    Best of luck anyway, and please keep us posted on how things go. :)

    Translated from French
    G
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    Ah, right, about the diet. Watch out for the tuna if it’s tinned tuna, as it's far too salty for cats. Also remember that cats need taurine, and the best way to provide it (besides fresh or lightly cooked meat and fish) is to give them wet food (perhaps topped up with some dry food). Anyway, back to the main point... how does he explain the bleeding? Psychological trauma, fair enough, but what exactly is bleeding then? And why? I don't think your vet is being very clear with his explanations.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Human food: boiled veg, chicken or even fish (tuna, prawns, salmon).

    I took him to the vet this morning. We’re waiting for the test results but it might be psychological trauma following the surgery...

    Translated from French
    G
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    First of all, thank you for your reply and your advice. It’s put my mind at ease... I wouldn’t want her to have anything serious if all the tests aren't being carried out properly, especially when I’m paying a fair bit of money. Regarding her diet, she was on dry food and human food, but the vet strongly advised me to swap the dry food for wet food. As for water, she has plenty available and I refresh it regularly. You’re very welcome. What do you mean by “human food”? A cat's nutritional needs are quite different from ours. They are obligate carnivores, whereas we are omnivores. And don’t forget to keep us updated! :)
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    First of all, thank you for your reply and your advice. It’s put my mind at rest a bit... I’d hate for her to have something serious if all the tests aren’t being done properly, especially when I'm paying a fair bit of money. Regarding her diet, she was on dry food and human food, and the vet strongly advised me to swap the dry food for wet food. As for water, she has plenty available and I change it regularly. What’s made me sceptical of him is the fact she’s bleeding a week after the op and he’s telling me it has nothing to do with the surgery. I handed over a healthy cat and I’ve got her back in this state without being told what’s actually wrong with her... that’s why I’m so frustrated and worried. He’s suggested I come back during the week to try and get a urine sample again to send off to the lab. No blood tests or temperature checks, though... He agreed with you about the third diagnosis; he’s never seen it in 30 years of practice and it's purely theoretical, but then again, you never know. Just have to wait and see now... Thanks again for your input!
    Translated from French
    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
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    Yeah, I’d definitely get a second opinion from another vet too. Keep us posted!
    Translated from French

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