Page 1159 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

55 – THE INFERTILE QUEEN 1151

● Assess if the tom is fertile. ● If a pregnancy is desired from this particular stud
– Find out the reproductive success of queens then artificial insemination (AI) is successful in cats.
mated at around the same time as the queen in – Either train the male to use an artificial vagina or
question. find a specialist center with electro-ejaculation
– Swab the vagina of the mated queen to look for facilities.
sperm. – Allow the queen to come into a natural estrus
– Check the urine of the tom after mating for preferably, or estrus can be induced as per above
evidence of sperm. Their presence will at least (page 1149), then give 500 IU of hCG IM at the
confirm production of sperm, however, the infer- time of AI to induce ovulation.
tility problem may be retrograde ejaculation into
the bladder. OVARIAN CYSTS (CYSTIC FOLLICLES)**
– Electro-ejaculation of the tom to assess sperm
quality. This technique is likely to be only avail- Classical signs
able in specialist practices.
● Prolonged estrus behavior.
– Tom cats can be trained to an artificial vagina but
● Alternatively, prolonged interestrous
this takes time and patience.
interval or anestrus.
Treatment
Pathogenesis
Ensure adequate tom cat housing and allow the tom
to mark his territory adequately so that he is happy Cystic follicles may be hormonally active producing
to work there. estrogen and hence persistent estrus.
● The stud quarters should be of a sufficient size to
Non-functional follicles can interfere with normal ovar-
allow free movement for mating, at least 2.5 × 1.8 m
ian function and produce prolonged interestrous inter-
(8 × 6 ft), with sleeping quarters and shelves for
vals or anestrus.
observation, exercise and escape from the queen.
Ensure the health of the tom including provision of
Clinical signs
adequate nutrition, especially vitamin A for function-
ing testes and maintenance of dental health. Prolonged estrus behavior.
Remove physical obstructions to normal penile Alternatively, prolonged interestrous intervals or
function. anestrus.
Allow adequate time for puberty, and match an
inexperienced tom with an experienced queen. Diagnosis
Timid or submissive males could be given testosterone Abdominal ultrasonography is a reliable means of
(50–150 mg SC or IM monthly) to see if this improves identifying cystic structures.
their performance, however, it may be inadvisable to
Persistently increased plasma estrogen levels
persevere with them in case there is a hereditary basis
(> 20 pg/ml; 73 pmol/L) supports a diagnosis of cystic
to their inadequacy.
ovaries.
Prognosis Exploratory laparotomy and visualizing the ovaries.
This allows surgical treatment if the diagnosis is
Problems that can be solved by adjusting management
confirmed.
practices or attending to physical problems such as den-
tal disease or preputial hair rings hold a good prognosis
for future successful matings. Differential diagnosis
However, if there is male infertility, insurmountable Ovarian granulosa cell tumors can be hormonally
psychological problems or other unsolvable problems, active and also result in persistent estrus. These are
then it is best to choose a new stud. usually seen in cats older than 5 years and are rare.