A prolapsed uterus in a cat is an emergency. If tissue is protruding from a queen’s vulva during or after giving birth, take her to a veterinarian immediately. Do not wait to see whether it pulls back in, do not push it back, and do not try to clean, cover, or medicate it at home. Exposed uterine tissue can become swollen, poorly supplied with blood, and damaged, and complications become more likely the longer treatment is delayed.
Yes, a cat’s uterus can come through the cervix and out of the vulva, usually during or shortly after queening. It is rare. Published veterinary references and feline case reports describe it as an uncommon event, and the cat-specific literature consists mainly of individual cases rather than population studies.
What a prolapsed uterus looks like
Owners typically notice a pink, red, or dark mass at the vulva, sometimes after the last kitten has been delivered. In documented feline cases, the protruding tissue was uterine: one report describes a single uterine horn protruding, congested and edematous, with devitalized and necrotic areas. Another describes the protruding mass as uterine horns and body. Because the color and texture of tissue can look similar across several conditions, a visible mass alone does not tell you which organ or structure is involved.
Veterinarians distinguish a uterine prolapse from other masses at the vulva. The surgical reference used for this article lists these differential diagnoses:
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- Vaginal prolapse or vaginal edema
- Vaginal masses
- Urethral masses
- Uterine masses that are not prolapse
- Metritis (inflammation or infection of the uterus)
- Retained fetal membranes
Only an examination can separate these. That is why the correct first step is always a veterinary visit, not a guess based on appearance.
Why timing matters
The Merck Veterinary Manual, in its article on uterine prolapse and eversion in animals (full review May 2026, page last updated July 2026), states: “Uterine prolapse is an emergency, and prompt treatment is required to preserve the life and future reproductive potential of the affected animal.” That statement is written for animals in general. In cats, the reasoning is the same: the exposed tissue is at risk of injury and death, and the surgical options narrow as that tissue deteriorates.
What causes it in cats
The exact cause in cats is not known. No published feline report has established a single cause, and none of the proposed mechanisms has been proven in any individual cat.
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Proposed mechanism: reduced uterine tone
A feline case report by Deroy, Bismuth and Carozzo (JFMS Open Reports, 2015) proposes decreased myometrial tone, the muscle tone of the uterine wall, as a mechanism that could allow the uterus to fold or invaginate toward the pelvic inlet. The same report notes that no direct cause was identified in its case.
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- Prolonged labor and dystocia (difficult birth)
- Increased straining during queening
- Incomplete separation of the placenta
- Pain or discomfort after birth
These are suggestions from case discussion, not findings from controlled studies. Merck’s broader reference lists uterine atony (loss of uterine muscle tone), prolonged straining, and excessive traction among contributing factors across species. Factors documented in livestock, such as low blood calcium, should not be assumed to apply to cats without feline evidence.
How veterinarians treat it
Treatment depends on the condition of the tissue and the circumstances of the case. The veterinarian decides between returning the uterus to the abdomen (reduction) and surgery, based on whether the tissue is still viable, how swollen it is, whether it is contaminated, and what else the examination shows.
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Merck’s general guidance describes the sequence used in larger animals: cleaning exposed tissue, appropriate removal of the placenta, anesthesia to allow replacement, careful manual replacement, and medical treatment after reduction. In small animals, replacement may involve manipulation from outside the body and access through the abdomen, and removal of tissue (resection) may be indicated in chronic cases with necrosis. These are clinical procedures for a veterinary team. They are described here so you understand what the vet may do, not so you can attempt any of them at home.
Manual reduction
When the tissue is viable and not too swollen, it can be gently returned to its normal position under general anesthesia. In the 2024 case reported by Ammu and colleagues in The Indian Veterinary Journal, the prolapse was reduced manually under general anesthesia and the cat then underwent ovariohysterectomy. The 2015 report by Deroy and colleagues describes manual repositioning as suitable for uncomplicated cases.
Amputation when reduction is not possible
When edema is too severe for the uterus to be replaced, the damaged tissue may need to be removed. In the 2022 case reported by de Lima and Wickramasinghe in Veterinary Record Case Reports, severe edema prevented manual reduction. The protruding uterus was amputated, followed by a midline laparotomy (opening of the abdomen along the midline) and a staged ovariohysterectomy.
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Ovariohysterectomy
Ovariohysterectomy removes the uterus and both ovaries. It ends the cat’s ability to become pregnant. Where it is performed, the decision should be discussed with the veterinarian in terms of the cat’s future breeding plans and overall condition.
Feline case outcomes compared
| Report | Presentation | Treatment | Reported outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deroy, Bismuth and Carozzo, 2015 | Complete uterine prolapse | Manual repositioning in uncomplicated cases; surgical options in other circumstances | Not stated for this case |
| de Lima and Wickramasinghe, 2022 | One uterine horn protruding; congested, edematous, with devitalized and necrotic areas; manual reduction prevented by severe edema | Amputation of the protruding uterus, midline laparotomy, staged ovariohysterectomy | Recovered; no recurrence of signs reported |
| Ammu, Aleena, Vidya and Lekshmi, 2024 | Uterine prolapse after queening | Manual reduction under general anesthesia, then ovariohysterectomy | Recovered; no complications reported |
These reports show that the approach is chosen for the individual cat. They do not compare methods, and they cannot be used to rank one approach above another.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Complications and prognosis
Merck identifies the following as possible complications of uterine prolapse, particularly when tissue is injured or treatment is delayed:
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- Tissue laceration
- Necrosis (death of tissue)
- Infection
- Shock
- Hemorrhage (bleeding)
- Thromboembolism (blood clots that travel to other parts of the body)
According to Merck, prognosis depends on the degree of injury and contamination. In animals generally, clean, minimally traumatized tissue that is replaced promptly carries a favorable outlook. The mortality figure Merck gives is an animal-wide figure and should not be applied to cats.
For cats, the evidence does not support a reliable survival rate or a comparison of treatment success. The 2022 and 2024 case reports describe recovery after surgical treatment and after reduction with ovariohysterectomy, but one cat’s outcome does not predict another’s.
What the evidence does not establish
- No cat-wide prevalence. The feline literature does not provide a population statistic for uterine prolapse in cats.
- No cat-specific mortality rate. Survival figures for uterine prolapse in cats are not established.
- The 0.6% figure is not a prolapse rate. The 2015 feline case report attributes a figure of 0.6% to Ekstrand and Linde-Forsberg, but that figure refers to maternal causes of dystocia (difficult birth), not to the proportion of cats affected by uterine prolapse. Because it is reported second-hand in that case report, it should be treated with caution.
- Cattle figures do not apply to cats. Merck reports prevalence of uterine prolapse of 0.6% in dairy cattle and 1.0% in beef cattle in a retrospective study. These are livestock figures.
Preparing for the veterinary visit
Since the veterinarian will need to reconstruct the birth, it helps to have these details ready:
Quick Recap
- The time the first and most recent kittens were delivered, and how many kittens have been born
- When you first saw the tissue, and whether it has changed in size or color
- Whether the queen has been straining, and whether any kittens or placenta remain inside her
- Her breathing, energy level, and any signs of distress
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual, “Uterine Prolapse and Eversion in Animals” (full review May 2026; page last updated July 2026)
- de Lima A, Wickramasinghe C. “Surgical correction of feline uterine prolapse.” Veterinary Record Case Reports, first published January 27, 2022; 10:e297
- Deroy C, Bismuth C, Carozzo C. “Management of a complete uterine prolapse in a cat.” JFMS Open Reports, 2015; 1(1)
- Ammu PA, Aleena R, Vidya VK, Lekshmi V. “Management of Uterine Prolapse in a Cat – A Case Report.” The Indian Veterinary Journal, originally published March 26, 2024; page updated December 27, 2025
- Nelissen P. “Uterine and Vaginal Prolapse.” In Small Animal Surgical Emergencies, Wiley, first published October 10, 2015
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