The heat period in cats: what you need to know about the breeding cycle.

Author: Dr. Buteațț Andra – Stuff of pets of the Veterinary Hospital

The period of heat in the cat refers to that phase of the female sexual cycle, also called Estru, in which it is receptive to mating and adopts specific behavior. A heat cycle is the normal reproductive cycle that takes place in females not coming. The reproductive season in cats takes place from early spring until late autumn.

Continue reading to see what are the phases of the sex cycle in cats, how they manifest them during the mating period, what to expect and how we can prevent these situations.

Sex cycle (Estral Cycle, Gamethogen)

With the beginning of sexual maturity and up to the physiological termination of sexual function, the genital trait works rhythmically and cyclically. The sexual cycle means the chain of phenomena and processes that follow and repeat with the final result of the release of one or more eggs for fertilization.

The duration of each sexual cycle and its phases depends on species, breed, climate, diet, individual.

From the point of view of the frequency of sexual cycles, the females are divided into:

1. Monocyclic (monocyclic) – presents a single heat cycle per year (wild animals);
2. Diestric (Diciclic) – presents two sexual cycles per year (dog);
3. Polystric (polycyclic) – presents several heat cycles per year (mare, cow, buffalo, oaia, scroafa, cat). In this group, the horse, the sheep and the cat are seasonal polystricians and the cow and the scrofa are continuous polynics.

In the evolution of a sexual cycle, two main functional phases are recognized: the follicular phase and the luteinic phase. The folliculin phase corresponds to an estrogenic activity of the ovary, respectively ovarian follicles, and the lutein stadium is dominated by the action of progesterone secreted by the yellow body. The two main phases are separated from ovulation (ovulation can be spontaneous or caused). Between the follicolinic and the following, the following is interposed by a balance phase, characterized by the involution of the yellow body and sexual rest, which bears the name of the diet in continuous polynic females and anestru to seasonal diestric ones (physiological anestru: before puberty, seasonal, post-partum, after the end of sexual function; uterine).

The following phases are distinguished within each phase:

1. The Stadium of Folliculina – includes the pro -staling phase and the Eastern phase;
2. The Luthein Stadium – includes the counter phase and the Anestru phase (hormonal rebalancing phase).

Ethological changes (behavioral)

Nearby, the female has a greater interest in the male, but does not accept support.

During the inspiration (the heat period), the female shows the desire to mate and accept the mountain.

During the lutein phase, the behavior of the animals is silent (tranquility phase).

Cat It is a seasonal polyetric female, which expresses its warmth mainly in the spring season. However, there are behavioral changes in cats cultivated in the apartment. With a constant temperature and artificial light, they can present sexual cycles throughout the year. This is quite disturbing for the owners, so I often reach the veterinarian with the desire to sterilize the cat as soon as possible, but this It is not recommended.

The cat’s sexual cycle is incomplete, because ovulation is caused in this species (it takes place during mating with a male, which is why cats can be coupled with different males, giving life to chicks with different characters of physiognomy).

How long does a heat cycle last?

The protrusion and the estrus last 9-14 days, with an average of 7 days. The cat begins with characteristic, even excessive, becomes very affectionate, rolls, rubbed by objects, urine more often and in different places (their urine contains pheromones that have the role of attracting males from long distances), adopts the smoqua position (high rear train, high tail), reporting the male.

If the mountain has occurred, ovulation will occur after about 24 hours and if the cat has not been pregnant, a period of 40-42 days will follow. If it does not occur during the heat period, the ripe follicles age, they will be replaced by a new generation quite quickly, and therefore in the absence of the male, the non -sterilized cat will be in an almost permanent state.
After childbirth, heat can manifest itself shortly, even while the female is breastfeeding.

At what age can the cat become?

On average, a cat could enter the heat in 6-9 months, but there are cases where heat cycles appear between 4 and 12 months. The short film breeds could start the heat cycle before, while long or long breeds on horseback may not give heat signs until the age of 18 months.

For a gestation completed in a developed body, in the case of controlled supports, it is recommended that the female reaches the sexual maturity and the assembly of being made after 12-18 months.

How can you prevent a cat from entering the heat?

The most efficient and safe way in which a cat does not enter the heat and no longer remains by sterilization (Ovariohysterofets – surgical removal of ovaries and uterus). The sterilization of females can start from the age of 6 months and in the case of males starting from the age of 10-12 months. The post-operative recovery period is quite short of 5-7 days.

Can I administer my cats for cats to turn off the heat?

They are not recommended Hormonal preparations (injectable treatment or pills) that stop heat in cats, because they produce serious hormonal imbalances in their body and can contribute to the appearance of ovarian carcinoma, breast tumors, ovarian cysts and piometrium (uterus infection). Other side effects include: lethargy, behavioral changes, vaginal secretions, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, frequent urination. They can prepare at the beginning of viral diseases and editors.

Should I let the cat remain by managing before sterilizing it?

Not.
It’s just a myth. It is no longer healthy for the cat to have a birth before, but, on the contrary, this can prepare your cat to health problems (both the mother and the chicks) and also contribute to the excessive growth of the population of cats. Early sterilization is the best option for cat health and well -being.

Can the cat be sterilized when it is in heat?

Yes, it is possible with the mention It is not recommended. During the heat period, the uterus presents the deepest changes under the influence of ovarian hormones. The wall is very thickened and vascularized and more crumbly, therefore sterilization during this period involves many more risks (tissue breaks, excessive bleeding). There is a risk of infection, because during the heat, the cat’s vaginal tissue becomes more edema and more vascularized, which predisposes to post-operative infections. The recovery time is prolonged. The heat period predisposes the cat to a considerable physiological stress, on which both surgical stress and anesthesia stress overlap, so that the healing and recovery process is influenced.

The general recommendation is to sterilize the cat 7-10 days after the characteristic signs of the heat period or in any other time they are not in the heat, to minimize surgical risks and to facilitate faster and more complicit recovery.

It is important that a preoperative consultation by the veterinarian regarding the investigations he will consider before the operation is performed before the most appropriate moment for the sterilization, depending on the patient’s age and clinical conditions.

Bibliography:

1. Diaconescu, A., Bîrțoiu, A. (2009) – Notions of physiology of reproduction in domestic mammals. Ed.