When spayed cats return to mating habits

November 10, 6:28 PMTampa Pet Rescue ExaminerBruny Hudson

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Pet owners are often mystified or alarmed by their pets’ strange behaviors. A rare and not well-known medical condition, feline ovarian remnant syndrome, will cause such a suspicious behavior in cats. A cat suffering from the condition will show signs of estrus, being in heat, even though she has undergone spaying surgery. The estrous period occurs twice to four times a year and can last up to 22 days. A cat’s loud howling, constant rolling around, search for affection yet restlessness, carrying her tail to the side and attracting male cats is most likely a sign of ovarian remnant syndrome if an illness is not indicated. While a female cat’s inappropriate urination can point toward ovarian remnant syndrome as well, it also can be a sign of behavioral or other serious medical problems.

Ovarian remnant syndrome occurs when ovarian-type tissue remains behind after sterilization surgery, producing estrous behavior. It can happen as the result of incorrect surgery. More probably, however, ovary tissue remains undetectable during the surgery because it exists elsewhere in the abdominal cavity of the cat’s body instead of in the ovary section. Although ovary tissue located outside its natural position is a rare condition, it occurs in some cats, and the tissue will stay hidden until after the surgery when the cat unexpectedly comes back in estrus.

While the cat owner might wonder if the cat’s surgery was successful or even took place, the cat cannot become pregnant. The cat’s behavior, however, will remain annoying. A follow-up surgery, preceded by hormonal stimulation to help find the ovarian remnants, can remedy the condition by removing the offending tissue parts. Other options are to leave the remnants untouched and have the cat go through heat regularly or to suppress estrus with medical therapy that might cause side effects. Surgery, on the other hand, would also prevent the cat from suffering possible infections brought on by the cycling of ovary remnants.