Endometritis

Endometritis can be contracted after pathological delivery or unqualified delivery aid, when fetus or placenta are retained in the uterus, and sometimes afer the Caesarean section. Damaged uterus mucous alongside with retained placenta and blood are a perfect environment for microorganisms to multiply. The most obvious symptoms of this disease are lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, dirty “caramel colour”, purulent and foul smelling discharge from the vulva in the feline alongside with increased thirst. A feline can develop endometritis during the first days or first weeks following delivery or later. If not treated, the condition will deteriorate rapidly, and a number of fatal complications due to overall intoxication of the organism may develop. Antibiotics and intravenous fluids should be given immediately. Sometimes hormone preparations which stimulate renewal of the uterus can be prescribed. The treatment of choice is an emergency spay, to remove the infected organ. The latter, however, prevents a feline from breeding. Until the feline can recover, her kittens should be bottle fed, because, as in the case of mastitis, the infection may be passed on to them with milk and may do them a lot of harm.

In order to prevent endometritis, it is important to observe hygiene during the delivery and lactation periods as well as provide professional aid in case of delivery pathologies.