Drops for a cat during estrus: sedatives, medications during estrus

Professional cat breeders and ordinary lovers of these cute fluffies sooner or later face a problem when the animal needs to go for a walk. If a cat asks a cat, how to calm her down at home and is it worth doing? At this time, the animal begins to behave quite actively - it often calls the cat, begins to rock on the floor, and there is a frequent urge to urinate. This behavior of the pet brings discomfort to the owners. In addition, there is a need to clean the cat’s litter box more often, and the pet’s nightly chants simply prevent you from sleeping.

The period when the cat wants and asks for a cat lasts 2 weeks. An adult female feels the need to mate 3 times a year.

Some pet lovers leave things to chance. They let nature solve problems as it will. If the cat continues to live the same life as always, looking for a cat herself, then the owners are then forced to solve the problem of growing kittens. After birth, babies are accommodated in every possible way.

Don't discount hygiene factors. Cats, being naturally neat animals, during the period of heat become even more demanding of external conditions. Not cleaning the toilet on time can provoke irritation and aggression in pets. She can find a place for the toilet not in the usual place, but where she sees fit. To avoid creating additional problems, you should clean the tray more often.

For breeders, the issue of estrus is resolved at a professional level. A cat of the same breed is selected, an acquaintance takes place, and after the allotted time, cute purebred babies are born.

Stages and duration of a cat's reproductive cycle

Most often, puberty occurs at the age of 6–9 months, sometimes earlier.

Proestrus (precursor).

Duration – 1–3 days.

Behavioral changes.

During this period, anxiety and meowing are noted, the cat actively shows affection for the owner or, conversely, becomes unreasonably aggressive. The genitals may be slightly enlarged. But the cat does not allow mating with a cat during this period.

Internal changes.

During proestrus, hormones begin to be actively synthesized, preparing the body for mating and pregnancy. A special role is played by FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone, which is produced in the pituitary gland. It affects the ovaries, where follicles with eggs begin to mature.

Estrus (heat).

Depending on the individual characteristics of the organism, its duration can vary from 1 to 21 days. The average period of estrus is 5–7 days.

Behavioral changes.

The height of the sexual hunt. The cat rubs against objects, people and other animals, emits inviting cries, takes a characteristic pose, squatting on its hind legs and bending at the waist, moving its paws. At this point, she may go on an adventure by slipping out an open door or jumping out of a window.

Internal changes.

The follicles are mature and ready to release eggs - potential embryos. But in cats, ovulation (the release of eggs) does not happen on its own. It requires induction - sexual intercourse. Although sometimes ovulation can be stimulated by ordinary tactile influence, for example, stroking the withers. Luteinizing hormone (LH), which is produced during coitus, is responsible for the release of eggs. Mature follicles synthesize estrogen hormones, which affect the cat’s behavior and cause changes in its body. If mating does not occur, the follicles gradually dissolve in subsequent phases of the cycle.

The next phase is postestrus (after-leak), and it has several features of its course.

Behavioral changes.

The cat calms down for a while. During this period, it is decided what will happen next - pregnancy, false pregnancy, interestrus, anestrus, or the next estrus will immediately occur.

Internal changes.

If ovulation (postcoital or spontaneous) does not occur, the corpus luteum phase does not occur. The amount of estrogen decreases for a while (interestrus stage), and then follicular growth resumes. In the case when the concentration of estrogen does not decrease, constant formation of follicles occurs, and cycles follow one after another without a visible break.

During the period of reduced daylight hours, postestrus usually turns into anestrus.

If ovulation occurs, but fertilization does not occur, a corpus luteum forms in place of the follicle. It produces corpus luteum hormones, progestogens responsible for pregnancy, within 25–40 days. False pregnancy may occur in cats, but it is not accompanied by significant behavioral changes, as, for example, in dogs.

If fertilization has occurred, pregnancy occurs.

Anestrus

The period between estrus, which is characterized by sexual rest. Lasts 3–4, in winter up to 6 months. The body functions as usual, sex hormones are produced in minimal quantities. The reproductive system is restored and prepared for the next cycle.

Recommendations for owners

In each individual case, you need to take care of your cat’s life. In many families, pets are part of the family, and the loss of a pet can negatively impact family relationships. If you are not going to sell kittens, then the most humane way to calm the heat would be sterilization . This will not only prolong the life of your pet, but will protect you and your family members from diseases that can be brought from the street and animal aggression.

In cases where you do not want to sterilize an animal, you need to be as careful as possible and not neglect the help of experienced specialists. It is quite difficult to calm a heat without special knowledge and means. Some people, without such knowledge, make mistakes, which leads to the death of the cat or serious illness. Estrus in cats is a natural process that can be difficult to calm down. The most important thing you need to do for your pet is to pay a lot of attention to it.

What are some ways to calm a cat during heat?

Under no circumstances should you punish a cat, lock it in a carrier, put it in cold water, or use other “folk” methods of influence! First of all, it's cruel. Secondly, it won't help. Thirdly, the “treatment” may turn out to be worse than the “disease” and cause difficult to eliminate psycho-emotional problems, including prolonged depression with apathy and anorexia.

Possible solutions include:

Sterilization (castration)
. A surgical procedure called ovariohysterectomy. The best option, which not only stops the manifestations of estrus, but also eliminates diseases of the internal reproductive organs.
Mating
. A classic way out of the situation. In this case, after 63–66 days (sometimes 58–69), prepare for the appearance of kittens. The problem is that after feeding the offspring (and sometimes during the feeding process), estrus will recur. Cats are very fertile, and unless you are a professional breeder, consider option #1.
Use of drugs to delay and interrupt estrus
. Taking these drugs reduces hormone levels and helps suppress sexual desire without surgical intervention. The problem is the same as with option No. 2 - hormonal drugs cannot be taken constantly, and estrus will resume as soon as the effect of the drug wears off. There are contraindications! Before use, you should consult your doctor.
Use of sedatives
. They affect the nervous system without affecting the synthesis of sex hormones. As a rule, they are ineffective during estrus, as they require a long course of administration. There are contraindications! Before use, you should consult your doctor.
Just wait out the heat
. If possible, avoid triggers such as the presence of the cat, the smell of other cats, and bright light.

Facilities

Warmth will help your cat calm down. The source of heat can be a heating pad that you place under her bed or a warm towel. You can cover it with a light blanket on top. This will help your pet relax and calm the urge to want a cat. also purchase a special hanging hammock that can be hung on the battery . Cats love to sit at heights, she will definitely like this hammock, and she will always be close to a source of heat that will help calm the animal.

Alternatively, you can bathe your cat to calm it down. This procedure will temporarily distract and help relieve excitement during estrus. Each bath is a little stressful for a cat, and emotions after it will overshadow the craving for the cat. She will lick herself and, for a while, will simply be distracted from her needs.

Another way to calm an animal is to use a product such as a pheromone. “Feliway” is a specially developed product and when used, the cat should calm down for a while, and its mood will also normalize.

It can be purchased in three types:

You can also use folk remedies that can calm the heat. For example, you can prepare a decoction of chamomile, cumin and lemon balm. This decoction helps calm the animal. You can give catnip, which is a natural, gentle and painless way to soothe your pet during heat. But the result will not last very long and will range from 2 to 3 hours.

Contraceptives. Megestrol and drugs based on it

This is a synthetic hormone, progestogen, which is an analogue of the natural hormone of the corpus luteum. It is responsible for reducing the secretion of gonadotropic hormones - FSH and LH. A change in the level of these gonadotropic hormones leads to a decrease in the level of estrogen, and therefore to a decrease in the manifestations of sexual desire. In fact, all megestrol-based products transfer the animal from the proestrus stage to anestrus, bypassing the stages of estrus and post-estrus.

The following are among the drugs created on the basis of megestrol acetate.

"EX-5", "EX-5T", "EX-7.5".

The EKS-5T product is presented in tablets, and the other two drugs are in the form of a suspension for oral use. The result of taking it in cats is the interruption or delay of estrus (a shift in its onset).

To shift estrus

during the period between heats, the cat is given 1 tablet every 2 weeks (or 0.5 tablets every week). Procedure for using the suspension: 4 drops every week (or 8 drops every two weeks) for “EX-5”; 2–3 drops every week (or 5 drops once every two weeks) for EX-7.5.

Important!

You should not skip taking the drug. It is not recommended to use EX for more than 18 months. The use of EX to delay estrus should be started strictly during the period of anestrus.

To interrupt estrus

The animal is given 1 tablet for 5–7 days until the signs of estrus disappear. The daily dose of the suspension is 8 (“EX-5”) or 5 (“EX-7.5”) drops.

Important!

The use of drugs is possible
no later than 3 days
from the beginning of sexual heat, i.e. during the period of proestrus. It is optimal to start giving the drug on the first day. Only then does suppression of FSH synthesis lead to the desired results. If the estrus phase has begun, the use of the drug is undesirable. Megestrol-based medications should not be used more than 2 times a year.

"Four with a tail."

To shift estrus, use 1 tablet every 2 weeks or 0.5 tablets every 7 days. To interrupt estrus, the cat is given 1 tablet for 8 days, the course begins no later than on the 3rd day of heat. Recommendations for use are the same as for EX.

Pills

Calming pills are the most emergency way to calm the heat. In this case, the owner must understand the risk he is taking, because these are hormonal medications and, after taking them, there can be very bad consequences; tumors may begin to form in your pet.

There are cases when a cat during heat was calmed by classical music. For example, works by Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky. Such cases are quite rare and depend on the character of your pet. Calm music stimulates the cat's desire to sleep and this helps calm the pet's heat.

Contraindications for use

Veterinary drugs based on megestrol are not used in the following cases:

if more than 3 days have passed since the start of sexual heat;
the cat has not reached puberty;
in the first heat;
during pregnancy and lactation;
for hormonal imbalances, pathologies of the endocrine system, neoplasms and diseases of the reproductive system;
diabetes mellitus, diseases of the genitourinary system, chronic renal failure;
when treated with corticosteroids;
if you have hypersensitivity to the components of the product, as an allergic reaction may develop.

Important: violations of the drug dosage regimen specified in the instructions may lead to a decrease in its therapeutic effectiveness.

Sterilization is the most humane method

Cats that meow loudly, heart-rendingly during heat and behave aggressively are a big problem for owners. If breeding offspring is not part of the owner's plans, it is better to sterilize the animal. After the operation, the pet will forever forget what hormonal surges and sudden mood swings are. The main advantage of sterilization is reducing the risk of developing life-threatening diseases of the genitourinary system. Thanks to this, the cat’s life expectancy increases by 5, or even 10 years. In modern veterinary clinics, the operation is performed with minimal tissue damage, and the material used for suturing dissolves on its own over time.

In the first days after sterilization, it is important to monitor the cat’s well-being. If her temperature has risen or her general health has worsened, it is necessary to urgently call a veterinarian at home. Self-medication for such complications is contraindicated. If you begin to deal with the consequences in a timely manner, the chances of successful recovery are as high as possible.

Complex drugs

Such products include several active ingredients. The drug for contraception and regulation of sexual behavior "Ovostop" gives a prolonged effect (up to 6 months, depending on the length of daylight hours).

Megestrol acetate
. Promotes the transition of proestrus immediately to the stage of sexual rest without estrus and the stage after it.
Proroksan.
Thanks to its effect on the receptors responsible for the behavioral manifestations of estrus, it blocks the unpleasant manifestations of estrus: excessive vocalization, search for a sexual partner, aggressive behavior, and the development of stress. Does not directly affect the reproductive system.
Melatonin
. The adaptogen hormone is responsible for the seasonal and daily rhythms of the body. The use of melatonin is especially recommended in cats that are constantly exposed to artificial lighting, which delays the timing of estrus and seasonal molting. Helps improve wool quality and normalize shedding. This active substance also helps slow down the aging process of the body and has a sedative effect.

The advantage of the drug "Ovostop" is the comfortable form of spot-on - drops on the withers. The three-component composition made it possible to reduce the dose of the progestogen component (megestrol).

Strict adherence to the instructions will help to avoid unpleasant signs of heat in your cat. To select the optimal product, consult a specialist.

Prohibited actions

Most online recommendations not only do not give the desired effect, but also pose a danger to the animal. Prohibited actions include the following:

Using folk recipes. Valerian, popular among owners, is highly addictive among the cat family, and essential oils with a pungent odor can cause acute poisoning. Also, do not resort to recipes with iodine and soda. These substances lead to increased gas formation and vomiting.
Cooling the genitals with ice water. At best, your pet will simply get scared, and at worst, it will develop inflammation.
Frequent stroking. Try not to touch the area from the middle of the back to the base of the tail. After this, the cat crouches to the ground in anticipation of mating.
Raising voices and physical punishment. Abuse will simply increase anxiety and rob your pet of your trust.
Locking the animal in a dark room. The sun's rays do stimulate hormones, but a lack of them is harmful to physiological health and psyche.
Taking sleeping pills. This is a very strong drug that is used to prepare for deep anesthesia. Due to the large number of contraindications and side effects, it can only be used as prescribed by a veterinarian.
Imitation of sexual intercourse. Sticking thermometers, cotton swabs and other oblong objects into an animal is not only pointless, but also dangerous. The tool you use can cause infection or cause accidental injury.
Mating with a neutered cat. Unlike the previous one, this method is not dangerous, but absolutely useless. If you do not want to pair your pet with a breed-class cat, then it is much easier and more reliable to simply sterilize her.

If your loved ones use any of the above, be sure to tell them about the possible consequences. In addition to such drastic solutions as sterilization, there are several other options that eliminate negative consequences.

Contraindications

The drug is not used by immature, pregnant or lactating animals.
Contraindicated in animals with diseases of the reproductive system, mammary tumors, hormonal disorders, diabetes mellitus, lymphoma, autoimmune diseases, lymphogranulomatosis, leukemia, myeloma, epilepsy, chronic renal failure.
Individual sensitivity is possible.

Attention!

If a hormonal contraceptive is prescribed by a doctor according to a special dosage regimen, for example, for the treatment of a hormone-dependent pathological condition, you should adhere to the regimen recommended by the doctor.

Insulation

Not the most effective way to calm a cat at home, but in some cases it really works. During heat, you need to “move” her into a separate room and provide her with maximum comfort. You can put a warm heating pad under the bed, place bowls of food and water nearby, and also try to avoid situations that could frighten or irritate the already emotionally unstable state of the pet.

If there is also a cat living in the house, the animals should be isolated from each other. To calm the instinct that is running wild, you should not let your cat go outside if it is accustomed to walking “free.” In this way, you can not only limit her communication with her relatives, but also avoid an unplanned pregnancy.

Castration as a way out

If the cat’s owners are not ready to tolerate his behavior, risk the pet’s health by constantly feeding him hormonal drugs, and the cat is not valuable for breeding, the question of castration of the animal arises. This surgical operation will relieve the cat and its owners from the side effects of the animal’s sexual activity: territory marking, unbearable behavior, loud “concerts”.

Castration is the removal of a cat's gonads: the operation leads to a complete loss of the animal's reproductive instinct. After the operation, the cat is deprived of the opportunity to have offspring for the rest of his life, but he usually stops marking his territory.

Note that castration makes cats calm and lazy; after this operation, the animal often gains weight, sometimes to the point of obesity. Therefore, after castration, it is necessary to monitor your pet’s diet especially carefully, preventing the animal from overeating.

All drugs are thus reduced to only two options: either hormonal drugs, or lighter ones - sedatives. Which one to choose must be decided on a case-by-case basis with a veterinarian: this will require an examination of the animal for existing contraindications and general health.

What should you do to avoid using medications?

The option when the fluffy one is isolated in a room is controversial.
For a pet that is constantly indoors, such an exit will not bring significant inconvenience. In the absence of attention, she begins to behave more calmly. If a cat is used to constant walks outside, this is a rather stressful situation. Many owners try to help the cat when she wants a cat by involving her in outdoor games. Fluffy beauties are distracted from the problem and spend excess energy. Children take part in such games. The pleasure is mutual.

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For breeders, the issue of estrus is resolved at a professional level. A cat of the same breed is selected, an acquaintance takes place, and after the allotted time, cute purebred babies are born.