Lack of veterinary care leads to emergency cesarean for cat

Fay & Ray (Supplied Photo)

Fay, as named by BC SPCA staff, is a 10-month-old cat who was brought to the BC SPCA’s Sunshine Coast animal centre in desperate need of veterinary care, along with her two-day old kitten, Ray.

“The owner brought us an extremely sick cat and her very young kitten. The cat was pregnant and in clear distress after being unable to deliver all her kittens,” says Marika Donnelly, manager of the BC SPCA’s Sunshine Coast animal centre. “She was surrendered to our care and we rushed her to a veterinary clinic.” Her two-day-old kitten immediately went to one of the BC SPCA’s volunteer fosters where she was bottle fed every two hours while her mother was being cared for in the clinic.

The veterinarian determined that Fay had a prolapsed uterus that was preventing her from being able to deliver her kittens. “The owner was unable to afford veterinary care for her, so Fay suffered with that condition for two days before she was eventually brought to us for help,” says Donnelly. “She was on the verge of sepsis and required an emergency cesarean.” The BC SPCA encourages anyone who has an animal in medical distress to not wait to seek out our help.

“Uterine prolapse is a rare condition in cats. It can arise from difficult birth, excessive straining, or other factors, and is more likely in cats who have had more than one litter of kittens,” says Dr. Hannah Weitzenfeld, the BC SPCA’s senior manager, animal health. “With prompt treatment, cats generally have a good prognosis. The best way to prevent a prolapsed uterus is to spay female cats before their first heat.”

Fay’s surgery was successful and she was reunited with her kitten, Ray, at the home of her foster to fully recover. “Fay is such a good mom and a big love bug cuddler,” says Donnelly. “Both are doing well. Baby Ray is the cutest, chubby little kitten.”

Fay and Ray will be available for adoption in approximately eight weeks. If you can help Fay and Ray and other animals in need at the BC SPCA, please visit medical.spca.bc.ca.