Vaginal Hyperplasia & Prolapse in Cats: 2025 Vet Insights 🐱💠

Hello! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, feline veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. In this 2025 guide, we explore vaginal hyperplasia and prolapse—hormonal conditions that cause thickened, exposed vaginal tissue in cats. Learn how to recognize signs, pursue diagnostics, choose medical vs. surgical treatments, and support recovery with Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz. Let’s ensure comfort, healing, and prevention through expert care! 💙

📌 What Are Vaginal Hyperplasia & Prolapse?

Vaginal hyperplasia occurs when estrogen or progestin exposure prompts exaggerated thickening of the vaginal lining. In severe cases, the tissue may protrude externally—this is known as vaginal prolapse. These conditions, though uncommon in cats, often follow estrus, progestin therapy, or uterine conditions like false pregnancy or metritis.

⚠️ Why It Matters

• Exposed tissue is vulnerable to trauma, infection, bleeding, and necrosis.
• Prolapse can obstruct urination or defecation if swelling is severe.
• Without timely intervention, tissue damage may require surgical excision.

👥 Who’s at Risk?

• Intact females during estrus when estrogen peaks.
• Cats on therapeutic progestins for behavior or reproductive control.
• Cats with uterine disease leading to false pregnancy.
• Rare genetic predisposition in some queens, even post-spay.

🔍 Signs & Symptoms

• Pink to red, moist, thickened vaginal tissue protruding from the vulva.
• Lick at the area, discomfort when sitting, difficulty urinating, or mild bleeding.
• Secondary infection signs: swelling, odor, purulent discharge.
• Severe prolapse may impair urination or defecation due to swelling.

🔬 Diagnostic Workflow

1. History: Ask about recent estrus, treatments, signs of false pregnancy, or medications.
2. Physical Exam: Assess viability of exposed tissue—color, temperature, edema, bleeding.
3. Urinalysis & Ultrasound: Check for urinary retention or underlying uterine disease like pyometra.
4. Hormone Testing: Estrogen and progesterone levels may clarify hormonal drivers.
5. Cytology / Biopsy: Rule out neoplastic masses if hyperplasia persists or appears unusual.

🛠️ Treatment Options

A. Medical Management (Mild to Moderate Cases)

• Stop exogenous hormones immediately.
• Administer pelvic estrogen blockers or progesterone antagonists (e.g., aglepristone).
• Apply topical anti-inflammatories and use cold compresses to reduce swelling.
• Monitor closely: retract tissue gently with lubrication and clean daily to prevent trauma.

B. Supportive Care

• Systemic antibiotics if infection is suspected.
• Pain relief and sedation to reduce stress and licking.
• Use E-collars and keep bedding clean to avoid contamination.

C. Surgical Intervention

• Spaying: Recommended for intact queens to prevent recurrence.
• Episioplasty: Surgical reduction and vulvar tightening of vaginal hyperplasia tissue.
• Excisional surgery: Remove necrotic segments if required.
• Provide urinary catheterization short-term if tissue swelling affects urination.

🌱 Prognosis & Follow-Up

• Mild hyperplasia usually resolves in 2–3 weeks with medical therapy.
• With spay and repair, prolapse recurrence is rare.
• Monitor for infection or tissue necrosis—do post-treatment check weekly.
• Ongoing supportive care and wound cleaning for up to 4 weeks post-intervention.

🏠 Home-Care & Telehealth Tools

• Ask A Vet: Guides on cleaning, medication, traction-lubrication techniques, and signals needing re-exam.
• Woopf: Provides vulvar packs, antibiotics, E-collars, hormone antagonist refills, and wound-care kits.
• Purrz: Tracks swelling, licking frequency, urination, comfort, and alerts to worsening signs.

🛡️ Prevention & Wellness Tips

• Spay before sexual maturity or promptly after diagnosis to prevent recurrence.
• Avoid off-label hormonal treatments unless essential.
• Monitor vulvar area during estrus for early signs of hyperplasia.
• Maintain regular vet exams if hormonal therapy is used.

🔬 2025 Veterinary Advances

• Short-acting hormonal antagonists for outpatient management.
• Ultrasound-guided minimally invasive reduction techniques.
• Smart collars to monitor licking/scratching frequency and alert via Purrz.
• Regenerative topical biologics to improve tissue healing and reduce infection risk.

✅ Care Plan Roadmap

1. Identify protruding vaginal tissue and assess tissue viability.
2. Stop hormones and begin medical reduction (cold packs, topical meds, lubrication).
3. Clean daily and monitor healing or infection; escalate care if worsening.
4. Spay queen to remove hormonal cause.
5. If tissue persists, consult for episioplasty or excision.
6. Use Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz to monitor recovery, alert on complications.
7. Follow up for estrus cycles; avoid unnecessary hormones in future.

✨ Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Vaginal hyperplasia and prolapse can be alarming—but with careful medical management and preventive spay, most cats recover fully while avoiding surgery. In 2025, veterinarian-guided telehealth and home-care tools like Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz offer peace of mind and superior monitoring, helping you support your cat every step of the way. Your involvement means comfort, safety, and long-term wellness. 💙🐾

Need help now? Visit AskAVet.com or download our app for expert guidance on swelling, cleaning, hormone therapy, and post-care support.