Cat in heat 3 times in 1 month. Is it normal? Answered by Dr. Slome

Question:

My Abyssinian has been in heat 3 times THIS month! I don't think this is normal. Is there something wrong with her or is it her breed?

thanks for your help.

Answer:

Cats will come into heat every other week right through spring and summer. They go into heat when around 5 - 6 months old and are in heat for 1 week and then off heat for 1 - 2 weeks, then back into heat etc.

It is possible that there may be a cyst on the ovary. The only real way to treat this is to have her spayed.

Martin Slome DVM
Centre Street Animal Hospital
7700 Bathurst Street Unit 40-4
2 Promenade Village Shoppes
Thornhill
Ontario L4J 7Y3
Tel. 905 771-9855
Fax 905 771-7260

I really feel your pain. I have 3 cats of my owen and I never get a day to myself. My cats are constantly in heat. I have 3 cats so one of them is in heat a week. SO I never have peace and quiet in my home.
I would get them spayed but I cant afford it.

Threecats, you should look around in your area for low-cost spay options, call rescue groups and the humane society, see if they have any suggestions, they often have arrangements with sympathetic vets, save up your pennies, stagger the spayings over two or three months if that's what it takes. Did it occur to you that the fact that your cats are constantly on edge might be contributing to their negative relationship with your dog? Just a thought. But please do it, unspayed females are susceptible to serious diseases later on, which would probably cost you more in vet bills than what it would cost you to put them out of their misery now. Not to mention unwanted kittens if one of them should get out. Please!!

Someone from Threecats' area, weigh in here...any ideas?

Not from her area but in my opinion there is no excuse for not having a pet spayed or neutered. Taking on the responsibility of a pet means responsible in all aspects of ownership...not just housing & feeding. If someone cannot afford to alter a pet, how can they afford to treat this pet should a medical emergeny arise? With three cats the odds of an emergency happening are X 3. With 3 intact cats the odds are even greater. One emergency vet visit could cost more than spaying all three cats.

Check local shelters or Vet teaching hospitals for spay/neuter programs.

Not from her area but in my opinion there is no excuse for not having a pet spayed or neutered. Taking on the responsibility of a pet means responsible in all aspects of ownership...not just housing & feeding. If someone cannot afford to alter a pet, how can they afford to treat this pet should a medical emergeny arise? With three cats the odds of an emergency happening are X 3. With 3 intact cats the odds are even greater. One emergency vet visit could cost more than spaying all three cats.

Check local shelters or Vet teaching hospitals for spay/neuter programs.


I totally agree with you Karin.

Threecats, I got my threads mixed up, I see that you never mentioned a dog, sorry. But please spay your cats anyway, they are not just horny when they are in heat, they actually suffer! Over and out.

I would get them spayed but I cant afford it.
My theory is this and it could be wrong however, if you can afford a computer and internet access... then why can't you afford to have your pets altered?

I'm sure that you must have a vet school in your area that would do spay/neutering for a reasonable rate...have you ever inquired about that? Please make whatever financial sacrifices you have to to see that these animals are properly taken care of. The world has more than enough homeless kittens, not to mention the health risk that you are putting these cats at.

theecats, please have your cats spayed! If you truly love animals as you name says you would have your pets fixed.
I live in your area, Ritson Rd vet is reasonable or talk to Jody at the Brooklyn vet. If you are on Social assistance I know some vets in the area will give discounts, or even free. So there really is no excuse.