INFECTIOUS VAGINITIS IN CATS: A RARE CLINICAL CONDITION WITH BEHAVIORAL AND HYGEINE IMPLICATIONS

Dandara Quelho Rosa; Ester Oliozi Marré; Larissa de Oliveira Santos; Ronald da Silva Souza Junior; Lucas Ramos Silveira; Matheus Guimarães Ferreira; Gabriela Pereira Salça de Almeida; Bruna Martins Berutti; Diefrey Ribeiro Campos; THAIS RIBEIRO CORREIA AZEVEDO

Todos os Trabalhos

Trabalho

Título do Trabalho

INFECTIOUS VAGINITIS IN CATS: A RARE CLINICAL CONDITION WITH BEHAVIORAL AND HYGEINE IMPLICATIONS

Autores

Dandara Quelho Rosa
Ester Oliozi Marré
Larissa de Oliveira Santos
Ronald da Silva Souza Junior
Lucas Ramos Silveira
Matheus Guimarães Ferreira
Gabriela Pereira Salça de Almeida
Bruna Martins Berutti
Diefrey Ribeiro Campos
THAIS RIBEIRO CORREIA AZEVEDO

Modalidade

Resumo Simples

Área temática

Outras áreas temáticas

Data de Publicação

22/05/2026

País da Publicação

Brasil

Idioma da Publicação

pt-BR

Página do Trabalho

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/x-simposio-internacional-ciencias-veterinarias/1434159-infectious-vaginitis-in-cats--a-rare-clinical-condition-with-behavioral-and-hygeine-implications

ISBN

978-65-272-2456-3

Palavras-Chave

feline vaginitis, vaginal discharge, animal welfare

Resumo

Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa that is considered common in dogs. However, it is a rare condition in cats, and its causes are generally associated with malformations, foreign bodies, infections, neoplasia, or trauma. Clinical signs include vaginal discharge, which may range from mucoid to purulent and may or may not be blood-tinged, excessive licking of the vulvar region, and attraction of other cats. The main differential diagnoses are pyometra and stump pyometra. The objective of this case report is to describe the diagnosis and treatment of infectious vaginitis in a female cat and to discuss its probable etiologies. A female mixed-breed long-haired cat, approximately one and a half years old, spayed about one year earlier, and FIV/FeLV negative, was presented with the owner’s complaint of vaginal discharge. During anamnesis, the owner reported a change in the behavior of other household cats, which began chasing the patient to smell the discharge, leading to frequent fights and compromising overall welfare. The patient was found to be normally hydrated, normothermic, with normal mucous membrane coloration, no abdominal discomfort on palpation, and no apparent anatomic alterations of the vagina. A vaginal sample was collected for culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by introducing approximately 1 cm of the swab in the vaginal canal, rotating it 360° in both directions, and immediately inoculating it into Stuart medium. Blood samples were obtained for hematologic testing, and abdominal ultrasonography was performed. Ultrasonography ruled out stump pyometra and cystitis, and hematological parameters showed no abnormalities. Marbofloxacin (5 mg/kg, PO, SID for 21 days) was prescribed until culture results returned, which revealed infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sensitive to the previously chosen antibiotic, treatment was continued. The patient showed clinical improvement, however, one month after treatment completion, vaginal discharge recurred. On re-examination, no additional clinical abnormalities were noted aside from the discharge. A second vaginal swab collection was performed as before, yielding growth of Escherichia coli sensitive to marbofloxacin. Treatment was reinitiated, again with clinical improvement. Approximately three months after treatment completion, the patient again presented purulent vaginal discharge. New ultrasonography was performed, and a direct sterile swab collection of the vaginal discharge observed during consultation was obtained and immediately placed in Stuart medium. Ultrasonography once again excluded stump pyometra, and culture revealed growth of Bacillus spp., resistant to the previously used antibiotic. Treatment with clindamycin (5.5 mg/kg, PO, BID for 30 days) was instituted. After treatment, the patient improved clinically, however, she continued to experience occasional episodes of purulent discharge. Complete remission of vaginitis occurred after the implementation of antimicrobial therapy combined with periodic sanitary trimming of the perineal region. The grooming habit and anatomical singularities of the species are the main factors that make infectious vaginitis rare in cats; however, the patient described had long hair, which impaired effective self-cleaning, thereby facilitating bacterial contamination from fecal material and the environment. Although the patient showed no significant clinical alterations other than vaginal discharge, the increased frequency of fights among the cats in the home was the main behavioral change noted by the owner. The positive therapeutic response in association with sanitary trimming supports the hypothesis that inadequate grooming was the primary predisposing factor. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that vaginitis diminishes animal welfare and, although rare, should not be disregarded as a differential diagnosis.

Título do Evento: X Simpósio Internacional em Ciências Veterinárias | X International Symposium in Veterinary Sciences
Cidade do Evento: Seropédica
Título dos Anais do Evento: Anais do X Simpósio Internacional em Ciências Veterinárias (X SINCVET)
Nome da Editora: Even3
Meio de Divulgação: Meio Digital

Como citar

ROSA, Dandara Quelho et al.. INFECTIOUS VAGINITIS IN CATS: A RARE CLINICAL CONDITION WITH BEHAVIORAL AND HYGEINE IMPLICATIONS.. In: Anais do X Simpósio Internacional em Ciências Veterinárias (X SINCVET). Anais...Seropédica(RJ) UFRRJ, 2025. Disponível em: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/x-simposio-internacional-ciencias-veterinarias/1434159-INFECTIOUS-VAGINITIS-IN-CATS--A-RARE-CLINICAL-CONDITION-WITH-BEHAVIORAL-AND-HYGEINE-IMPLICATIONS. Acesso em: 09/11/2026