Cats and pregnancy: Pregnancy prevention using aglepristone
Pregnancy in cats
Female cats usually come into heat for the first time between the ages of 6 and 9 months, and may remain in heat for almost the entire year, during which time their behaviour will change to attract males.
Pregnancy in cats lasts for approximately 2 months. Behavioural changes, such as loss of appetite, increased drowsiness, greater attention-seeking or, in contrast, more aggressive behaviour may lead us to suspect that the cat is pregnant, especially in the earlier stages when the physical changes are yet to occur. Weight gain usually begins at around week 4. Birth rarely leads to complications and a cat may have more than one kitten. As soon as they are born kittens start to drink their mother's milk, which has properties that are particularly important in the first months of their lives. Nucleotides fall into this category, as they are essential for correct formation of the immune system.
How to prevent pregnancy
One of the best means for preventing pregnancy is sterilisation or castration.
Pharmacological treatments for terminating pregnancy are also available, as described below.
Aglepristone is a progesterone receptor antagonist that can induce abortion in cats. To determine the efficacy of aglepristone treatment for preventing early pregnancy in cats, a prospective study1 was carried out on a sample of cats treated with aglepristone after mating, comparing them with a control group. Blood samples were obtained to determine progesterone levels in both groups and an ultrasound scan was performed to diagnose pregnancy. No pregnancies were detected on the scans of any of the cats in the treatment group, therefore it was concluded that treatment with aglepristone was effective for preventing early pregnancy. Concentrations of progesterone increased in both groups in the time period ranging from day 5 (before treatment) to day 20. No serious treatment-related side-effects were observed.1.GOERICKE-PESCH S, GEORGIEV P, WEHREND A.PREVENCIÓN DEL EMBARAZO EN GATOS USANDO AGLEPRISTONE EN LOS DÍAS 5 Y 6 DESPUÉS DE LA MONTA (USING AGLEPRISTONE ON DAYS 5 AND 6 AFTER MATING TO PREVENT PREGNANCY IN CATS) . THERIOGENOLOGY. 2010;74:304-310.
