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Brown near cat's vagina.

Species: Cat
Breed: american shorthair
Age: 2-5 years
Talia has brown in her fur around her vagina and I wiped it with a baby wipe and it is brown on the wipe. She has always had urinary issues in that she wont use the litter box to urinate. She goes on wee wee pads. I do not see blood in her urine. Should I be concerned?


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Thanks for your question. Sometimes it can be normal to see some brown staining around the vaginal area of a cat. However, it's also possible that there is brown staining because she has been overgrooming the area. This could happen if there is some type of infection, either in the skin surrounding the area, in the vagina or possibly even a urinary tract infection or something called interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis is something that we don't fully understand but it can cause a cat to feel like she has to urinate often.

So how do we tell whether there is a problem? The answer lies in watching her behavior. Over the next few days, take note of how often you see her licking this area. A normal cat should not be seen regularly doing this, but if you see her doing this several times a day then I think there is likely some irritation there and she should see the vet.

Also, take note of how often she is urinating. Even though you are not seeing blood, if she is going to the litter box (or wee pads) more often than usual then this can be a sign of a problem as well.

As long as she is eating and drinking well and does not seem overly irritated, then it's probably ok to keep an eye on her for a couple of days. Here are some things that would make me want to see the vet:

-If you notice she is licking the vaginal area excessively.
-If you notice she is trying to urinate more frequently than usual.
-If you see her trying to urinate but nothing is coming out.
-If you see a yellow or green pus in the vaginal area.
-If she starts to lose her appetite or act overly lethargic.

Hope that helps and I hope she is ok.

Dr. Marie


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Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.

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Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.