Success Story: Coraline

Coraline is a 1 year-old munchkin kitten who lives in a house full of kids. One of the kids accidentally stepped on her tail and Coraline wasn't acting herself shortly after. Her mom was hoping she was just sore from being stepped on, but soon she wasn’t wanting to be around any of the family members, and wasn’t her usual playful self, so her mom ran her to the vet right away. That's where it was discovered little Coraline didn't have a sore tail, she had pyometra.

Coraline and her human sister are the best of friends. This duo sleeps together, Coraline scratches at the bathroom door when she's not included (like most cats who don't understand privacy), and her human sister jokes about taking her to school with her in her backpack because she doesn't want her to be lonely. Coraline’s family had recently faced some setbacks including surgeries and broke down cars, so they reached out to the Foundation for help with her surgery. We are happy to say we were able to help, and Coraline is now on the mend.

Pyometra is a uterine infection that can be fatal if not treated immediately. The symptoms of pyometra vary, and depend on whether the cervix is open or closed when the infection develops.

1. If the cervix is open, you may see pus or bloody discharge coming from your cat’s vagina or stains in her bedding. (As a side note, it’s never normal for a cat to have bloody vaginal discharge, even when she’s in heat.)
2. If the cervix is closed, the infection is trapped in the uterus and you won’t see any discharge. As the infection gets more severe, your cat will have very little energy, act depressed, will have little interest in their food, and often excessive drinking and urination.

If your cat shows any of those symptoms, please take her to the vet immediately. Without treatment, which is usually an emergency spay, that infection can cause kidney failure, or the uterus can rupture releasing the infection into the abdominal cavity. The best way to prevent pyometra is to have your cat spayed.

To learn more about pyometra in cats, consider checking out the following articles:

1. Catster: Seven things you should know about pyometra
2. VCA Animal Hospitals: Pyometra in Cats
3. Harmony Animal Hospital: How to Spot Signs of Pyometra in Dogs or Cats

​If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories.