Chronic vaginitis caused by long-term retained fetal bone fragments in a cat

Abstract

Chronic vaginitis in cats is an uncommon but clinically relevant condition, typically having persistent vaginal discharge, perivulvar irritation and excessive licking or grooming. Underlying etiologies are varied, ranging from foreign bodies to rare inflammatory disorders; therefore, establishing an accurate diagnosis is critical for appropriate treatment and prognosis. We describe a case of chronic (7 years) purulent vaginal discharge in a cat caused by retained vaginal fetal bone fragments. After exclusion of potential causes of chronic vaginitis, a vaginal examination, performed under general anesthesia, revealed 40 fetal bone fragments. These fragments were progressively removed using rat-toothed forceps and 15 days later, the vaginal discharge had fully resolved and the cat recovered uneventfully. This case highlighted the importance of conducting a thorough vaginal examination in cats with chronic vaginal discharge, particularly when there is a history of dystocia or abortion.