Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fluid buildup in a cat's uterus diagnosed and treated with surgery
By S. Z. Abdulkadir et al.·Published in Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine·2026·University of Ilorin, Nigeria, BG·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Unravelling feline hydrometra, diagnostic approaches and surgical management in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old female cat was brought to the vet for a pregnancy check two months after mating, but instead of finding kittens, the vet discovered a large amount of fluid in her uterus. An ultrasound showed no fetal structures, and during surgery to remove her uterus and ovaries, the vet found over 600 mL of fluid and some cysts on her ovaries. The cat was diagnosed with hydrometra, a rare condition often linked to hormonal issues. After surgery, her hormone levels returned to normal, and she recovered well.
People also search for: cat hydrometra symptoms · cat pregnancy diagnosis · cat surgery recovery · cat ovarian cysts treatment
Abstract
Hydrometra is the accumulation of fluid in the uterine lumen. It is an uncommon condition in the queens, associated with pseudopregnancy and persistent corpus luteum. This report describes a case of hydrometra in a 2-year-old queen presented for pregnancy diagnosis two months after mating. Ultrasonography showed anechoic fluid in the uterus but no foetal structures. On ovariohysterectomy, distended uterine horns measuring 16.2 and 14.3 cm in length and 4.6 cm in diameter containing 610 mL of fluid and follicular cysts were present on the ovaries. Pre-surgical serum progesterone (P4) was 2.11 ng/mL, while post-surgical level declined to 1.42 ng/mL. Microbiological culture yielded Escherichia coli and Streptobacillus spp. The haemogram parameters were within physiologic limits. This case highlights the importance of hormonal assays and diagnostic imaging in differentiating hydrometra from pregnancy and other pseudopregnacies. Progesterone role in hydrometra is established but that of Streptobacillus spp. requires further investigation. This report contributes to the limited literature on hydrometra in queens, emphasising the need for increased awareness and research among veterinary practitioners. Further studies on the interplay of prostaglandin, relaxin, oxytocin and the unusual microbiological finding is recommended. Timely intervention is necessary in hydrometra to avoid complications.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.15547/bjvm.2024-0116