After sterilization, the cat asks the cat: why, for how long, how to help the pet

What to do if a sterilized cat screams?

What is the essence of the procedure?
Castration
Sterilization
It is safe?
Why does the cat yell for no reason?
Why does a sterilized cat scream at night: what to do?

Almost every modern pet owner understands that castration is the best way to rid a pet of many desires that are obviously impossible to fulfill. This way the animal suffers less, forgets about cats and kittens, generally becomes calmer and certainly will not frighten its beloved owners with an unexpected surprise in the form of a new addition. However, sometimes the “system” fails, and we begin to worry about the question, why does a sterilized cat scream? Everything is not as simple as it may seem at first glance, and no problem can be ruled out. In this case, contacting a veterinarian cannot be avoided.

The essence of the procedure: what is it?

It is best to do castration at the age of 6 months.

There are two ways to deprive an animal of its ability to bear children:

sterilization (vasectomy);
castration (ovariohysterectomy).

Surgery to sterilize a cat involves ligating the ovaries or removing the uterus. Thus, the production of hormones, for which the ovaries are responsible, does not stop. This method is chosen by pet owners who want to preserve the instincts of their pet. But a more humane way to carry out castration is a surgical intervention in which the reproductive organs are completely removed. Then the adrenal glands are responsible for hormonal production, and the cat does not require mating.

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What operation was performed?

To find out why a cat screams after sterilization, you need to figure out what kind of operation was performed at the veterinary clinic. There are two types of procedures: castration and sterilization. These two procedures are different from each other. In the first case, the ovaries are ligated or the uterus is removed, but the ovaries are not touched.

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A careless choice of the clinic and the doctor who performed the sterilization could lead to the fact that an inexperienced veterinarian did not remove all the ovaries. Even if part of the organ remains not removed, the production of hormones continues, and the cat may begin to ask for a cat.

To save the cat from the consequences of poor-quality sterilization, another operation will be required. This time you need to take your choice of doctor seriously.

A cat screams after sterilization: norm and deviations

In fact, immediately after the operation the animal is physically unable to scream. Unless, of course, we are talking about “full”, cavity sterilization, accompanied by general anesthesia.

After it, the cat can only sleep quietly in the basket. This is absolutely normal. In general, loud and sharp screams immediately after surgery often do not mean anything good.

Pathology

You need to be wary if the following signs are noticed simultaneously with the screams:

Swelling and swelling of the postoperative suture.
It's not good when a cat screams at night. This sign almost always indicates severe pathologies, which clearly manifest themselves at night, when the animal’s body relaxes as much as possible.
Discharge of purulent exudate.
Inappropriate animal behavior. This should be understood not only as hectic screams and rushing around the house, but also as lying flat and completely detached from what is happening. Simply put, if a cat is lying down in a basket and screaming hoarsely, with anguish, this is much worse than if it were running and screaming. If such signs appear, you should immediately call a veterinarian.

Normal (relative)

Once again, loud screams in the postoperative period are not the most reassuring sign, but sometimes this phenomenon can be explained. So, after major abdominal surgery, many cats experience pain and other unpleasant sensations for some time.

As a rule, the problem is completely solved by prescribing mild sedatives. In addition, severe pain after a successful operation rarely lasts more than three days. Otherwise, the owner again needs to contact a veterinarian.
Most likely, “protracted” screams indicate the development of severe pathological phenomena in the cat’s body. The sooner they are identified and eliminated, the greater the chance of saving the cat’s health and life.

Why does a cat yell at night: 7 reasons

Cats are nocturnal hunters, so if they are awake, they most often vocalize at this time of day.

The following are the reasons for the “night songs” of pets:

Need for a sexual partner during the rut . During this period, the animal is not able, like a person, to restrain its reproductive instincts. Nature is unforgiving and severely punishes attempts to evade its call.
A castrated cat signals to the owner that he has had enough sleep and is feeling hungry. The person is to blame himself. Animals should be fed generously at night. Because satiety makes you sleepy. Another reason is that the former male, deprived of testosterone, becomes cowardly and is plagued by fears, most often in the second half of the night.
Sterilization does not eliminate the desire to vote. If a full-fledged female is controlled by hormones, then the sterilized individual becomes extremely sentimental. It seems to her that the owners do not pay enough attention to her. Therefore, the animal demands its due at the most inconvenient time.
A kitten that finds itself in a new home is at a loss. The mother and peers disappeared somewhere. During the day, he realizes that there are no creatures dear to him in the room. But night comes and it seems to him that his mother is calling her close and persistently.
When a new pet appears in the house, a conflict situation arises, especially if the pets are of the same sex. Until the weak submits to the strong, a showdown will occur.
Chronic diseases tend to worsen at night, both in humans and animals. With urolithiasis or constipation, the cat is in so much pain that it is impossible to bear.
Psychoneurological disorders. The cat did not have the habit of yelling at night, and suddenly such a habit appeared. In this case, you should contact your veterinarian to help you choose medications that correct your pet’s behavior.

The main causes of post-operative screams

The reasons are not too varied:

Postoperative inflammation. They arise either as a result of gross violations of the rules of asepsis and antisepsis at the time of the operation, or due to the cat licking the surgical sutures, as well as scratching them. In this case, the cat screams in pain.

Formation of postoperative hernia. It is also an unpleasant phenomenon that may be accompanied by pain and other unpleasant sensations.

It is not good when a cat meows after sterilization, and its voice is too weak. In some cases, this behavior indicates the presence of internal bleeding. If your pet's skin and mucous membranes become uncomfortably cold, this should be reported to your veterinarian immediately.

Fever. It happens that in some cases the operated cat’s body temperature jumps, and this is not a pathology. But in other cases, this indicates the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the animal’s body.

Sterilization took place a long time ago, but your pet is screaming as if she’s in heat?

It also happens that the operation took place a long time ago, but the cat still screams as if in heat. What is the reason for this phenomenon? It's simple. Even if the animal’s ovaries have been removed, some of the hormones are still retained in the body. A lot of time passes until their reserves are finally exhausted. Until then, the cat will constantly yell, demanding the attention of cats. Most likely, you will have to wait at least three or four months for the end of this “concert.”

Attention! If the operated cat has all the signs of estrus, she screams and even follows the owner’s heels, in no case should you use medications like “Sex Barrier” and other hormonal drugs!

Failure to comply with this recommendation leads to the development of severe hormonal pathologies. If you use these drugs for too long, even the development of cancer becomes quite possible.

Competent choice of sterilization method

Unfortunately, there are still cases where, due to the incompetence of veterinary specialists, a cat continues to experience the pangs of sexual desire even after sterilization. This happens if, instead of removing the ovaries, the doctor simply ties the fallopian tubes or removes only the uterus.

Sex hormones continue to be produced, but the female is unable to reproduce. These methods can be called not only inappropriate, but even inhumane.

It also happens that an inexperienced doctor removes only one ovary or leaves a small part of it, which continues to produce hormones. This can be determined using an ultrasound, but to correct it you will need a repeat operation.

Important! Before carrying out the operation, the veterinarian must clearly explain to the owners what method and method the reproductive organs will be removed. If this information is kept silent, then you should not use the services of this clinic.

However, veterinarians are not always to blame for the fact that a cat meows after sterilization, demanding a male. Sometimes owners take too long to decide on the operation, missing the most optimal age, which is from 7 to 10 months, depending on the breed and individual characteristics of the female. During this period, the kitten has already formed all its organs and systems, but has not yet come into heat.

Some owners adhere to the outdated misconception that a cat must give birth once before being spayed. Modern research disproves this information, since after childbirth, the female begins to synthesize sex hormones in the adrenal glands and pituitary gland. Under their influence, the cat screams as if in heat, even after excision of the ovaries.

In this case, it is necessary to administer a hormonal drug, which is prescribed by a doctor after conducting the necessary studies.

Consequences of sterilization

If the first operation was performed on the furry purr, then it is clear why the sterilized cat screams. The instincts remain the same. In general, the sterilization procedure is regarded by many veterinarians as abuse of animals. After all, with such an operation, the owner dooms the pet to lifelong torment. The sexual instinct will manifest itself every time, but the maternal instinct will never be satisfied . This will only cause the animal to suffer. In this case, the pet will experience hormonal explosions throughout its life, and concerts at home are inevitable.

Complications during castration

If a castration operation was performed, and the cat screams at night, then, most likely, the procedure was accompanied by complications. Let's consider all the options:

It is possible that the operation was performed during estrus. Then for some time after sterilization of the cat, instinctive behavior will be observed, as with sexual desire. She will meow and ask for the cat. It is necessary to wait for the restoration of hormonal levels (this period is about 3-4 months) and observe the behavior of the animal.
If the operation was carried out before the first heat, and the sterilized cat periodically screams, then, for sure, it was performed poorly. Perhaps some of the ovaries remained unremoved. This affects hormonal levels. Therefore, the sexual instinct continues to work. This option is easy to check. If the furry purr is helped by drops and pills, such as “Sex Barrier,” then the operation was poorly done. You should contact a veterinary clinic, be sure to do an ultrasound of the ovaries and, subsequently, sterilize again.
There is an option that the operation was performed efficiently, but late (at the age of 3-5 years). In this case, the animal’s behavior does not change, and the cat yells for no reason at night out of habit. In this case, she does not have hormonal surges, and her behavior imitates pre-operative behavior.
It happens that such behavior can be a signal for the owner about problems in the health of the furry pet. In particular, a cat may yell periodically if its adrenal glands are bothering it.

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Night screams of a cat due to illness

There are other situations when a castrated cat meows at night. What to do, what to do? When an adult cat is spayed, old habits remain and may recur periodically. After a short time, the hormonal surge will return to normal, everything will fall into place.

But you should pay attention to this fact itself and go to your doctor. A cat's night cry may be a sign of illness. Urolithiasis, for example, makes a cat yell, and when visiting the litter box, the cat yells even more.

What measures to take?

What to do in such a situation? And should you pay attention to your pet’s behavior? The answer is clear - it is necessary. If you let the situation take its course, then the sterilized pet’s cycle may be restored and such behavior will be regular. If the problem is not the quality of the operation, then veterinarians recommend medical intervention - it is necessary to inject the cat with a hormonal vaccine, such as Covinan or depot-gestone. This may need to be done twice. In any case, it is advisable to do this only after the recommendation of a veterinarian.

Poor operation

In the first 3 days after sterilization, the cat may have pain. This is not considered a pathology. To relieve symptoms, the veterinarian prescribes appropriate medications.

If sterility rules were not followed during surgery, infection may occur. The development of the inflammatory process will cause pain. Treatment is carried out using antibacterial therapy. In severe cases, surgery is required.

The cause of postoperative screams may be damage to internal organs. Regardless of whether the sterilization procedure was performed by the cavity or endoscopic method, there is a possibility of injury to adjacent tissues. This often happens if the surgery was performed by an insufficiently experienced specialist or due to the doctor’s negligence.

Heredity

A similar pathology forms in an animal even when it is in the womb.
Scientists call it ectopic ovarian tissue syndrome.

The problem is that during the formation of the ovaries, some tissue cells end up in another part of the animal’s body, and it is simply impossible to identify them in the formed and strengthened cat’s body.

Reference!

Such a hereditary predisposition is very rare.

A sterilized cat asks for a cat: reasons

There are the following causes of estrus in sterilized females:

Incomplete removal of epididymal tissue. Occurs when an unremoved piece of ovarian or epididymal tissue remains, which is capable of regenerating and partially replacing the internal secretion organ. Estrus occurs as usual, but pregnancy does not occur and the pet will not be able to bring kittens. Repeated surgery, as a rule, does not solve the problem. Not every veterinarian is able to find the criminal piece of tissue, and repeated anesthesia will harm the cat’s health. However, the chance of achieving a positive result increases if the uterus and surrounding tissue are removed.
Development of the reminant ovary. After the removal of the reproductive organs, the pituitary gland or adrenal glands begin to produce sex hormones. Statistics show that one out of seven castrated cats can retain the ability to secrete estrogen.
Congenital anomaly. Cells of the ovarian appendages take root in other organs.
Development of a hormone-like tumor. The neoplasm has the ability to secrete estrogens. Pathology is observed in cats that were castrated in adulthood.

Myth 6: Sterilization increases the risk of urolithiasis

Scientists do not fully know what causes ICD. Factors that provoke the disease are the following:

excess weight, unhealthy diet;
insufficient fluid intake;
hereditary predisposition;
urinary tract infections;
sedentary lifestyle.

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According to statistics, the percentage of cats with urolithiasis is the same among sterilized and unsterilized animals. In addition, urolithiasis affects cats more often than cats (75% vs. 25%). So that the disease does not take you by surprise, you need to take a urine test once a year, the results of which will show whether the cat is at risk or not.

Hormones

Sterilization does not disrupt hormone production. For this reason, the cat may go into sexual heat. The instinct to reproduce does not disappear, so the animal may go into heat. It is accompanied by changes in the behavior of the pet.

A cat can be in heat even after spaying, because... The ability to produce the necessary hormones is retained by the adrenal glands and the pituitary gland. For this reason, the operation is recommended to be performed at 6 months, i.e. before the onset of the first sexual heat.

To normalize the state of health, the cat is prescribed hormonal medications.

What not to do

If the cat is watered, fed and played enough, but still continues to howl heart-rendingly for no reason at night, you cannot shout at him or use violent measures . Cats are smart and proud creatures. In case of violence, they may take revenge. To achieve a positive result, you need to be attentive to the animal and be patient.

Sedatives

If a sterilized animal continues to perform nightly concerts and does not want to calm down, it is given drugs made from plant substances. The release form can be in drops, tablets or injection solutions. The most effective drugs:

Cat Baiyun. This potent drug helps eliminate aggression and ease the cat's heat. It helps nervous cats well, as well as those that constantly mark the apartment. The drug is available in both drops and tablets.
Stop stress. This is a safe, non-addictive drug. It has a strong effect and suppresses the activity of the animal’s brain. Sold in drops and tablets.
Fitex. The drug is made on the basis of valerian, hops and motherwort, acts as a sedative, and is produced in the form of drops. Normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system and relieves stress well.

What to do if the cat continues to walk after sterilization?

The owner has the following options for dealing with the pet’s wandering behavior despite the surgery:

You need to be patient and wait until the concentration of hormones that were produced before sterilization drops.
Carry out a repeat operation. In most cases, it is financed by the surgeon who performed the first one. However, it should be noted that all anesthesia drugs have side effects.
If estrus occurs, use medications to regulate sexual heat, which will be prescribed by a veterinarian.

Preparations for regulating sexual heat in cats

If a sterilized cat develops heat and produces characteristic meowing, rolling on the floor, and spreading puddles across the floor, phytosterol-based calming medications are used.

In their structure, the substances contained in biological additives resemble sex hormones. The cat develops the feeling that mating has occurred and she calms down.

The advantages of the drugs are their harmlessness and mild action. The disadvantage is that they must be given several times a day for several days. The following herbal sedatives are in demand:

FITEX is given an hour before meals or along with food, 3-5 drops per cat with food or treat 3 times a day. During the period of taking the biological supplement, the pet is transferred to three meals a day. The course of taking the drug is 15-30 days. If necessary, treatment is repeated. In addition to correcting sexual behavior, drops are used to relieve stress.
Kot Bayun tablets are a dried extract of medicinal herbs. Give 3-4 times a day, 20 minutes before and an hour after feeding, 2 pills. The course of treatment is 5-7 days. It is recommended to use it monthly until the problem is eliminated.
Kot Bayun infusion. It is a herbal tea in bottles. The procedure for taking it is the same. as when using tablets. A single dosage is half a teaspoon.

What to do if the cat does not sleep at night, walks and meows

Once the cause has been identified, you can begin to eliminate it.

If cat concerts are driven by the reproductive instinct, owners have the following options for their own behavior:

Be patient: sooner or later the rut will end and the pet will calm down.
Use hormonal contraceptives: Sex control, Stop-intim or analogues. The use of drugs allows you to disrupt estrus, prevent fertilization when an accidental mating has taken place, and weaken the cat’s sexual arousal. The disadvantage of this method is the side effects of the drugs. Excessive use of contraceptives leads to the development of breast tumors, pyometra, and other diseases of the reproductive organs.
Castrate: In most cases, the operation results in calming the animals. They practically do not develop diseases of the reproductive organs. The disadvantage of this method is the tendency to obesity and urolithiasis. Therefore, you will have to forget about natural food, as well as treats with human food products. Pets are transferred to ready-made food for sterilized cats, which satisfy the body's changing nutritional needs. If urolithiasis occurs, veterinary feed is used, which is selected by the doctor.

If the problem is the pet’s adaptation to new living conditions, then feed additives are used: Stop-Stress, Vetspokoin, Fitex, Kot Bayun. An alternative is the drug Feliway, which contains pheromones. The device with the bottle is inserted into an outlet like a mosquito repellent. Pheromones calm animals.

If a cat begs, his efforts should be ignored. If there is no understanding on the part of the pet, he is put into another room and the door is closed. The cat will understand and stop begging. In return, the animal should be provided with adequate nutrition.

In order for the cat to sleep at night, like its owners, it is reoriented to a daily routine that is convenient for the person. A cat needs to sleep at least 11 hours a day, and even better - 13-14. Therefore, you should keep your pet busy, especially during the day and evening hours. Do not let them sleep, play or organize leisure time, purchase interactive toys, provide houses, ladders, scratching posts. Most of the daily portion should be fed in the evening. If the cat is tired and full, he will be drawn to a sound and long sleep.

Veterinarian advice

Some veterinarians consider it inappropriate to sterilize a cat, which involves tying the fallopian tubes. After the operation, the animal continues to lead its usual lifestyle, so there is still a possibility of developing other health problems characteristic of pets who have not undergone surgery:

inflammation of the uterus and appendages;
cystic endometrial hyperplasia;
infections transmitted through sexual contact;
benign and malignant neoplasms, etc.

Estrus in sterilized cats may last longer than in unoperated cats, because fertilization does not occur. The possibility of a false pregnancy cannot be ruled out. This process is caused by a violation of the animal’s neuropsychic state. If a false pregnancy occurs, the cat's life is at risk if treatment is not started in a timely manner. The animal begins to produce milk, which is dangerous for the development of mastitis. False pregnancy can occur repeatedly.

Before getting a female pet, you need to think in advance about all possible problems and difficulties that may arise in the future, including deciding on sterilization. If in doubt, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

False pregnancy

After sterilization, a cat can be deceived by its own hormones. False pregnancy is a common occurrence in cats, and hormonal imbalances can trigger it. In addition, if mating has been made with a male, the female may also subsequently decide that she is pregnant.

A cat owner can identify the problem by a number of characteristic signs:

the pet begins to look for a “nest” for itself: rummaging in closets and other secluded corners;
change in behavior: females often become overly affectionate, or, conversely, do not want to make contact with people;
the cat begins to carry various small objects (“kittens”) in its teeth.

You may also notice increased discharge from the vulva, enlargement of the abdomen and nipples, milk production, changes in appetite and other symptoms.

The manifestation of a false pregnancy after sterilization should be discussed with a veterinarian. This is very important, because sometimes such a failure can lead to the development of such unpleasant diseases as mastitis, pyometra, and in rare cases, tumors and endometritis.

Persistence of other behavioral traits that should have gone away

Each owner, when sending a cat for sterilization, pursues a specific goal. Such a goal could be:

cessation of estrus;
the cat stops yelling all day long;
The cat stops marking its territory.

In some cases, this behavior may continue to manifest itself in pets.

For example, immediately after surgery, an animal may scream for a couple of months, since there are still “wandering” hormones in the body.

They can cause continued estrus for a short period of time after removal of the ovaries.

If the cat continues to scream, the type of surgery performed should be considered. For example, after the fallopian tubes are pulled, the female loses the opportunity to become pregnant, but the ovaries continue to produce hormones, and accordingly, the cat continues to scream. It is also worth making sure that the operation was successful.

Attention!

You just need to wait out the two-month period after sterilization - no need to give your cat pills that suppress estrus or panic. If the cat asks for a cat after 2 months after surgery, contact your veterinarian.

Should a cat stop marking?

The female stops marking after sterilization if she has not yet reached sexual maturity at the time of the operation.
Otherwise, such sexual behavior has already been established, and the lack of hormones may not affect it. In addition, this behavior completely depends on the character of the cat. She may not like such a small thing as the location of the tray, unknown and unpleasant odors, or simply the surrounding environment, but she can express her dissatisfaction in one of the few ways - by leaving marks.

The owner can deal with this problem in several ways.

Ensure good ventilation in the house, eliminating unpleasant odors.
Make sure the cat is not bothered by anything. In case of anxiety, you can rub flower infusions into the inside of the ear. They can also be added to the water that the animal drinks - no more than 1-2 drops.
Special preparations sold in pet stores can eliminate the odors of existing marks. Their use is quite lengthy: most often, the areas marked by the cat must be treated every day for a month.

Reference!

Of course, all of the above should be put into effect only after the owner is convinced that sexual behavior has been consolidated and the operation has been performed correctly. If the production of hormones in the cat's body continues, the above methods may not help.

How to deal with a cat screaming at night

If a previously calm cat begins to scream at night, then there is only one competent way out - a trip to the veterinary clinic. A professional approach from a veterinarian will help you get out of the situation competently and understand the reason why the cat is yelling and survive the period of cat yelling.

If a non-neutered cat screams day and night and wants a girlfriend, then it would be better to let him go for a walk. Of course, for animals that have not been sterilized, there are hormonal drugs that help relieve the desire to procreate. But their use is justified only in the rarest cases, since they cause irreparable damage to the health of the pet. After the cat has calmed down and satisfied its needs, you can think about castration.
There are times when a neutered cat continues to scream at night. When an animal has been castrated recently, this means that the hormones have not yet completed their effect. You will have to be patient a little, in the future everything will pass and the pet will calm down.
When a sterilized cat screams, you need to understand that the hunter’s instinct is still strong and it is better to try to satisfy it with play. Active games and imitation of hunting will help keep the kitten busy during the day, so at night he will need rest.
If the kitten played well during the day and subsequently ate meat, then another instinct will work for him - a sound sleep. It’s good if the kitten eats heavy food at night, the digestion of which will require more energy. But a castrated cat should not eat meat at night, as he is prone to obesity.
As soon as the kitten appears in the house, you need to teach it to sleep in its place from the very first day, so that later there will be no problems with the night cry of the animal demanding to be let into the owner’s bedroom.
In especially severe cases, when an animal that has survived the sterilization procedure continues to torment its owner with its screaming, you can give it the drug Kot Bayun or Feliway. These are products made from plant materials and will not harm your pet. But before giving them, you need to be sure that the cat is not suffering from any disease, so a visit to the veterinarian is mandatory.

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By giving your animal anthelmintic drugs, you can forget about the problem of nighttime crying. It is possible that the kitten, due to the presence of parasites, constantly felt hungry.