Cat not feeling well

Question
Hi,

I have a question.  We have a cat that is 1.5 years old.  She is usually a very active cat but about two days ago she just started laying around.  She has not been spayed we did not realize that is should be done to protect her but after checking stuff all day I found out we need to do that.  She has a slight discharge which is a light pink color...this is very light.  She also seems to still be going to the bathroom as normal.  She is drinking plenty but had quit eating her dry food for two days.  I gave her wet food today and she gobbled it up.  I called the vet and they said she just may be in heat.  But I know what she does when she is in heat and she just did that about a week ago.  I am just wondering if this is serious and should I take her to the vet.  We love this cat but our finances are not great and I would hate to waste the money if it is not needed.  Any help would be great.

Answer
Tammy,

Any sudden change in behavior with loss of appetite should be treated as a serious problem unless your vet has examined your cat and says that everything is okay. I am a bit concerned about the pink discharge, she may be in season, but it is also possible that she has a uterine infection called pyometra which can sometimes show up with increased water consumption, loss of appetite (for regular food) and lethargy. Pinkish discharge could also mean that your kitty has stones, crystals or an infection in her urinary tract. I would strongly suggest that you take kitty in to be examined at the vet because if she does have what is called a closed pyometra it can burst and fill her abdomen with blood and pus and that would likely kill her, so the sooner the better in terms of having a vet see her. Having your kitty spayed will not only prevent unplanned kittens from being born and contributing to a massive overpopulation problem, but it also eliminates the risks of breast or reproductive cancers along with eliminating certain behavior problems. I hope that this information helps you to make an informed decision. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me again.