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Pseudo-pregnancy in Female Cats

A hormonal imbalance is thought to play a central role in the development of a false pregnancy, or pseudopregnancy, in which a non-pregnant female cat shows such symptoms as lactation or nursing without producing kittens. The affected female cat shows these symptoms about a month or two after her estrus (heat) is over. Depending on the severity of problem, the symptoms may last for more than a month. 

Symptoms and Types

• Behavioral changes
• Non-pregnant female cat may show symptoms of mothering activity, nesting, and self-nursing
• Restlessness
• Abdominal distention
• Enlargement of mammary glands
• Vomiting
• Depression
• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Brownish watery fluid or water secretion from mammary glands

Causes

The exact cause for this condition is unknown. However, hormonal imbalances, especially of progesterone and prolactin, are thought to play an important role in its development. Some female cats have been found to show such abnormal symptoms within three to four days after after an ovariohysterectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus).

Diagnosis

You will need to give a detailed history of your cat's health, and the onset and nature of the symptoms. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam to evaluate all body systems, and to evaluate the overall health of your cat. Routine blood tests will include a complete blood count, biochemistry profile and urinalysis, all of which usually reveal normal results, unless an underlying disease is present. And diagnostic imaging such as abdominal X-rays and ultrasound is used to rule out infection of the uterus or normal pregnancy.

Treatment

Unless symptoms persist, treatment is typically unnecessary. Otherwise, your veterinarian may recommend hormonal supplementation or ovariohysterectomy (removal of ovaries and uterus) to prevent further episodes.

Living and Management

To reduce mammary gland secretions, your veterinarian will advise you on using cold or warm packs to minimize the stimulation that promotes lactation. An Elizabethan collar (cone) can also help prevent the self-nursing or licking behavior that can stimulate lactation. In some patients, reducing the daily food intake can help to reduce the production of milk.

For those owners who are not planning to breed their cat, and do not want their female cats to reproduce in the future, ovariohysterectomy is a good solution for the prevention of future false pregnancy episodes. The overall prognosis is good and most cats improve within two to three weeks, even without treatment.