Can a spayed cat be pregnant?

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I adopted a cat 3 years ago from a rescue centre. She turned 11 last February and has always been in great health, energetic and at a consistent healthy weight. Her pet health record says she was spayed, but doesn’t specify the method (looking online, I gather there are several ways to spay a cat). In 3 years, I’ve never seen any signs of her being in heat and she’s never been outside, except in a ‘catio’ or with me on a lead.

However, about a month ago she managed to get out through a window left open too wide, and I only realised the next morning when I saw her outside. Since then, she’s put on a lot of weight around her tummy and her nipples seem swollen... so I’m wondering, even though she was spayed much younger, is there any chance (however slim) that she could still be pregnant?

Unfortunately for my cat (and for me in this case, as I’m very worried about her), I live in a small village a two-hour drive from the nearest vet...

If there is a risk, I’ll make the journey... but even if she is pregnant at this age, she hates the car, so I think it would be very stressful for her.

Thanks for your help

Miss Caribou

Can a spayed cat be pregnant?

Translated from French
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6 answers
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    • ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    As Mel1 said, it’s possible that during the spay, the vet left a tiny bit of ovarian tissue behind that’s still functioning. This means the cat could actually get pregnant; it’s known as ovarian remnant syndrome. In these cases, the cat needs to be spayed again. 

    I hope everything went well for your cat and that she’s doing okay, as well as the kittens if she did indeed have them. 

    Have a good day,

    Chloé

    Translated from French
    M
    Mel1 Icon representing the flag French
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    She’ll manage to give birth; she doesn’t have much of a choice, really! But obviously, it’s not the ideal situation for her and the kittens. Could you make a little den for her? Use a cardboard box and some blankets, and put it somewhere quiet and sheltered. And leave a food bowl nearby. She might not actually go inside, but you can’t exactly force her. I had a similar situation with a stray (a proper one, with no owner) who used to come round to my house. I made several nesting boxes for her, but she preferred to have her litter outside. It seems it all went well, though, as she’s back at mine now with her four kittens.
    Translated from French
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone, I’ve had a cat hanging around for about 3 or 4 months now who’s fallen pregnant, and I’ve noticed her scouting out spots she might like for giving birth. The problem is she’s very skittish, and her owners are actually my neighbours across the road who have been away on holiday for her entire pregnancy! Do you think she’ll manage to give birth okay even though she’s not in her usual environment?
    Translated from French
    M
    Mel1 Icon representing the flag French
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    A spayed cat can actually have kittens. It’s probably rare, but it does happen. We had a spayed cat and despite everything, all the local toms were still chasing after her. After checking with the vet, we found out that sometimes a spay fails. A tiny bit of ovary stays behind and regenerates. Our cat wasn’t acting like she was in season, but she could still have fallen pregnant. We had to have her operated on again to make sure she was properly spayed. So yes, it’s rare but it happens. And you don’t necessarily realise it’s happening. If you’re in any doubt, go and see your vet.
    Translated from French
    M
    Mel1 Icon representing the flag French
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    A spayed cat can actually have kittens. It’s probably rare, but it does happen.

    We once had a cat that had been spayed, but all the local toms were still chasing after her regardless.

    After checking with the vet, we learned that sometimes a spay fails. A tiny bit of ovarian tissue is left behind and it regenerates. Our cat wasn’t acting like she was in heat, but she could have still fallen pregnant.

    We had to have her operated on again to make sure she was properly spayed.

    So yes, it’s rare but it happens. And you don’t necessarily realise it.

    If you're in any doubt, go and see your vet.

    Translated from French

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