Will Cats Grow Ovaries After Spaying? A Quick Guide
As the weather grows colder, many cats begin to come into heat, their nights filled with yowling and tailwagging, which can disrupt the peace of the household and even lead to neighborly complaints. One midday, a slender young woman arrived at the veterinary clinic, carrying a pet carrier.
From the carrier, she gently lifted out a梨花 cat—a petite, clearly female feline. The little cat lay on the examination table, nervously observing her surroundings, seeking a place to hide.
Before I could even ask, the woman spoke up, "Doctor, my cat had spaying done last year at another hospital, but she's started yowling at night again. Could it be that she's in heat? My elderly parents have been complaining about the noise these past couple of days."
After neutering, some cats may still exhibit mounting behavior, with their little tails twitching—a normal occurrence. However, once a female cat has been spayed, she should not come into heat again within the first six months. If she does, it's a strong indication that the ovaries were not completely removed.
Yet, finding residual ovaries, whether through ultrasound or MRI, can be quite challenging. Nonetheless, we decided to start with an ultrasound. To our surprise, we discovered something that appeared to be a remnant ovary behind the left kidney.
"Doctor," the woman inquired, "when my cat had her last heat, I asked the previous vet, and he suggested that the ovaries might have regrown. Is that possible?"
I nearly blurted out, "Are ovaries like a gecko's tail? They get cut off and then grow back?" But I managed to keep my tongue in check.
Once ovaries are removed, they do not grow back. If they do, it's almost certainly due to residual ovaries.
After scheduling the surgery, we decided to perform an exploratory laparotomy to confirm. The purpose of sharing this case is not to instill worry about spaying but rather to remind everyone that if a female cat or dog continues to come into heat after being spayed, it's important to consider the possibility of ovarian remnants. Once ovaries are removed, they do not regenerate.
Dr. OxygenPet reminds pet owners: If you wish to learn more about how to handle a cat in heat, you can click on "What to Do When Your Cat Comes into Heat" for further information.
