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My cat has vaginal discharge. Is it normal or a serious issue?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1 year and 1 month old

My cat has this really thick discharge from her vagina. It's mostly clearish with a little yellow. She was treated with clavamox a week ago for an unknown infection. Could this just be her going into heat? She licked it off and I haven't seen much since, I just didn't know if this discharge was normal or not

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Amber Da Silva, DVM

Answered By Amber Da Silva, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 18th, 2017

Cats don't normally have discharge even when they are in heat. I would be concerned about a condition called pyometra. This is a major infection in the uterus and requires a spay procedure to remove the infected uterus. I would recommend taking her back to the vet for evaluation. It may be necessary to do blood work and abdominal x-rays to diagnose if she has a pyometra. That may be the source of the unknown infection for which she was recently treated.
Vote Icon2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 20th, 2017

    It is probably pyometra, if you can see the discharge it is usually an open pyometra which means it is less urgent (but still is quite urgent), she needs to be taken to the vet today and will probably need to have her uterus removed ASAP.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 22nd, 2020

    A pyometra doesn't happen when they are in heat. It typically happens a few weeks after the heat cycle has ended. So, I doubt that is the problem. Some vaginal discharge when they are in heat is normal and the amount can vary from queen to queen. There is no "normal" amount I can give you. All I can say about that is that the discharge should not be enough that she is leaving puddle around.

    Hope this helps. Best wishes!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 23rd, 2021

    Cats do not typically have a discharge during their heat cycle, and in the picture you provided, I'm concerned the discharge looks like pus. This can signify that Tyga has a pyometra, which is an infection of the uterus. I'd take her into a vet immediately to get this checked out as if she does have a pyometra, it is fatal without treatment. I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My unspayed cat has clear discharge from her vagina. Is it serious?
Discharge from the vulva of an unspayed female is always very concerning. Your cat may have a urinary tract infection or may have a more serious condition called a pyometra. This is where the uterus becomes infected. Pyometra can be life threatening. If this is what is going on with Panda she will need surgery to have her uterus removed. She will also need to be on antibiotics. I would recommend taking Panda in to see your vet as soon as possible so she can be evaluated and treatment can be initiated. I hope this helps. Best of luck. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My spayed cat has yellow vaginal discharge. Is it normal or serious?
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Jade. No, vaginal discharge is not normal especially in a spayed pet. I worry that she has a urinary tract infection. I recommend that she sees a veterinarian. A urine sample will likely be collected and evaluated under the microscope. If an infection is suspected, a urine culture may be recommended. Urinary tract infections are not very common in cats, but can occur. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My 8-week kitten has vaginal discharge. Should I take her to the vet?
Yes, I recommend to have Lexa examined. Cats do not normally have any type of vaginal discharge and I am concerned there is an infection. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My female cat has bleeding and creamy brown discharge. Is it serious?
I would be extremely concerned that Lola has a pyometra. This is a life threatening infection of the uterus that requires immediate veterinary treatment. It would cause a creamy brown mucus discharge. A pyo is fatal without treatment, so I would take Lola into a vet right away. The vet can do a physical exam, blood tests, a urinalysis, and x-rays to diagnose she does have a pyo. If she does, spaying her in part of the recommended treatment. Please take her into a vet now.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My cat had pinkish brown discharge, growled, now acts normal. Why?
I would be concerned that Miss kitty has a uterus infection if the discharge is from her vulva. A urinary tract infection can present the same way too. I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian to make sure nothing more severe is going on.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My cat has bloody discharge after spay for pyometra. Is it normal?
It can be normal for vaginal discharge after a pyometra surgery. The uterus is removed above the cervix. If blood and infection is present in the vaginal cavity it will still be present and leak out the vulva . If it is a small amount and Lucy is recovering normal I would not be concerned. If she is not eating, being overly painful or large amount of discharge I would recommend having her re checked by your vet.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My unspayed female cat has vaginal discharge. Is it an emergency?
Yes, I would be very concerned about Ziggy. The discharge from her vulva looks white, and I'm afraid she could have a pyometra. This is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. In this case, I feel she needs to see a vet immediately. If she does have a pyometra, spaying her is part of the recommended treatment. Please bring her into a vet now. Best of luck.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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