Recovery Time For Spay And Neuter Procedures
After you bring your cat home youll likely want to make sure its as comfortable as possible while it recovers. Humlie recommends keeping your cat separate from other house pets, if possible, and offering your cat a quiet room to relax. Corbett notes that jumping could be painful, and suggests lifting your cat instead of, for example, letting it jump up onto the bed.
Youll need to keep an eye on your cats incision and make sure its not being bothered with . Corbett recommends examining the surgical area before even taking your cat home from the vet so you can get an idea of what it looks like and youll notice if the area gets swollen or looks worse, which could mean its not healing properly or has become infected.
Recovery time depends on a few things, like age and general health, so itll be different for each cat. Corbett says the anesthesia will stay in your cats system for 12-48 hours, which could affect energy level and appetite, and the healing of the actual incision itself takes one to two weeks, depending on the type of stitches used.
One of the most difficult parts of the recovery period might be convincing cats to rest when they think theyre already fine.
Most importantly, you should follow your veterinarians instructions for post-operative care, Kruck says.
What Are The Health Effects Of Spaying Or Neutering A Cat
Of course, while spaying or neutering procedures are routine and considered safe, risk cannot be totally eliminated from every surgical or medical procedure. For example, cats who have been spayed or neutered do tend to gain weight if their diets are not adjusted accordingly. Neutered male cats are also at increased risk for developing urinary blockages.
The benefits of neutering or spaying almost always outweigh the risks. However, you should always ask your vet which choices are best for your pet.
What Other Complications Can There Be With Neutering
Male cats are at a high risk of becoming obese after theyve been neutered, and this can lead to further, long-term health problems. This can include joint disease, diabetes and urinary problems. If you decide to have your kitten neutered, keep a close eye on their calorie intake and engage them with playful activities to help manage their weight. Neutering can be a beneficial procedure for both your cat and your home environment. For more information, talk to your veterinarian who will be able to help you decide whether its right for your cat.
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When To Spay Or Neuter Your Cat
There is debate among veterinarians about the time to spay/neuter your cat, says Dr. Adam Denish of Rhawnhurst Animal Hospital in Elkins Park, PA. There are three general options: Early or pediatric spay/neuter is done at six to eight weeks of age. Standard spay and neuter at five to six months. Finally, waiting until after the first heat, somewhere between eight to twelve months of age, he says.
As a vet who has done thousands of spays and neuters, I still perform them at five months of age. The pets are a good size, the owners have already trained and accepted them, and the anesthesia and surgery are usually safe, says Dr. Denish. The concerns over early spay/neuter are mostly due to the prevailing opinion that new owners may not do the procedure, and the pet is free to breed. The additional offspring contributes to the overpopulation of cats in the wild, as well as the burden of euthanizing unwanted and ill cats at shelters.
Whatever the age of your cat when theyre spayed or neutered, there are definite health benefits for cats of either sex to have the procedure.
Cats Protection Advise Neutering Your Cat At Four Months Of Age Or Younger Find Out More About Kitten Neutering In Our Guide Or Find A Vet
Often, cats are neutered too late in life which unfortunately contributes to the number of unwanted cats in the UK.
If you dont want to find yourself with extra cats and extra cost, we recommend that your pet cat is neutered at four months of age or younger. It is important that the procedure is done before the cat begins puberty, preventing any unplanned pregnancies.
Want to know more about what kitten neutering involves? Watch our video. Search below to find a vet on our neutering database or learn more about neutering in our Help and advice pages.
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What Is Spaying A Cat
Spaying a cat refers to the ovariohysterectomy, or the removal of portions of the reproductive system of a female cat so she cannot get pregnant and give birth to kittens. Cat spaying is a surgical procedure that a veterinary surgeon can properly and safely perform. Spaying a cat is a very routine surgical procedure, and it carries a minimal risk for serious medical complications.
Spaying a cat includes the following procedures:
- Your veterinarian will utilize general anesthesia to avoid any discomfort during the procedure
- The attending staff monitors your cat’s breathing and heart rate oxygen levels, blood pressure, plane of anesthesia, and overall health during the anesthetic procedure
- The surgeon makes a small incision in your cat’s abdomen and removes the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus
- Your veterinarian closes the incision with sutures
Your veterinarian can also provide post-operative instructions for you to follow. Although spaying a cat could result in some discomfort right after surgery, your veterinarian will take various measures for pain relief. The steps to ensuring your cat has the most comfortable and safe recovery possible from spaying surgery are identical to the recovery recommendations provided above for neutering.
If you are concerned about spaying your cat, we urge you to ask the veterinarian at your next visit for help making an informed and responsible decision.
Post Neutering Home Care
When vets finish the operation of neutering, you should have to follow important instructions for your pet care. Cats generally after being brought home, they will have anesthetic effects. Vets put protective ointment in cats eyes in order not to dry out and to avoid possible blurriness. When you are home with your newly neutered cat, provide a warm, dark, and quiet place at least for twenty-four hours.
If there are any other pets or small children, keep them away from your neutered cat. You have to understand that aggressive behavior from your cat is expected in this period, it does need patience and a lot of care. The change in sex hormones differs from a cat to another. Vets advise not to leave the neutered cat on the first night to notice any abnormal change in behavior.
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When Should I Spay/neuter My Cat Or Kitten
In previous years, theres been a lot of debate on the proper timing of feline spays and neuters. So much so, that if you lined up 5 vets and asked them, you may get 5 different answers. This debate can lead to confusion and a reluctance to go ahead with the procedure. If you have previously owned a cat, the advice now is probably different from when you last asked.
A recent report by leading veterinarians has persuaded many governing veterinary bodies to call for neutering before 5 months of age. This is the time before kittens reach sexual maturity and holds the best chance of avoiding the problems listed above. For further reading on this, check out the Feline Fix by Five website.
How Do You Know Whether Your Cat Has Been Neutered
If youre thinking of adopting a stray thats wandered into your backyard and stayed, you may wonder whether he or she has already been done. Its easy to tell with a male, but a lot more difficult with a female.
For males, look for the testicles. These are positioned below the tail and the anus, and above the penis. If the testicle sack has been removed, its safe to say he has been neutered.
Spayed female cats dont display anything like as clear a signal! Many feral cat programs will snip the ear if the cat has been neutered or tattoo a tiny blue-green mark near the incision site, but theres no guarantee that that will apply to your new pet.
One clue comes from observing her behavior. Does she appear to come into season? Typical behavior here might be uncharacteristic loud yowling, rubbing up against furniture and lifting her rear into the air.
Vets can also shave a small patch of hair to look for the surgical scar this will be located on the lower abdomen and may be less than an inch long, running in a head to tail direction.
However, the only definitive way is to conduct surgery to see if the reproductive organs are intact.
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When To Neuter A Cat And When To Spay A Cat
Shes your personal welcome home party, your purring pillow companion and your little lap warmer on a cold winters night. As a responsible pet owner, you want to keep her healthy and safe and thats where spaying comes in. In this post, well reveal when to neuter a cat, when to spay a cat, why neutering and spaying are so important and how to help your kitty stay healthy after a neutering or spaying procedure.
Best Age To Neuter A Kitten
On the average, kittens reach sexual maturity around 6 to 9 months of age. This means they are now fully-capable of reproduction. Since one of the inherent aims of neutering is to induce infertility or sterility in the cat, neutering should be done before the kitten achieves full sexual maturity. Thus, the best age for a kitten to get neutered or spayed is before it reaches the age of 6 months.
Unfortunately, no two kittens will have the same exact growth rate. Some kittens can reach their reproductive maturity by around 4 months of age, while others may become sexually mature only upon reaching 12 months of age.
Given the variability of feline growth rates, veterinarians now recommend pediatric neutering. This allows veterinarians to perform the surgical procedure in kittens that are as young as 6 weeks. There are people who object to such recommendations, of course. They say that it exposes the young kitten to needless harm. Early neutering can also lead to several developmental problems.
In 2017, the American Association of Feline Practitioners endorsed neutering kittens at 5 months of age. This was the recommendation of the Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization and released through the North American Veterinary Community Conference, also in 2017.
There is another criterion for the surgery, however. The kitten should weigh not less than 2.2 lbs at the time of the surgery. If these two criteria are met, then the kitten is safe for early neutering.
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Whens The Best Time To Have My Kitten Neutered
Ideally, you should have your kitten neutered around puberty in male cats, this is between six to twelve months old. Male cats tend to reach sexual maturity, and therefore begin looking for a mate, between seven and twelve months old. Neutering can be done successfully from as young as three months. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best time for your kitten.
What Is The Average Cost To Neuter A Male Cat
These routine surgeries typically cost up to $200, depending on the vet and the facility. However, more affordable options are available to pet owners through lower-cost spay/neuter programs and clinics. To find a lower-cost spay/neuter clinic near you, please visit the ASPCAs Free and Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Database.
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Spay And Neuter Programs In Florida
There are many programs that exist throughout the state of Florida for low or no-cost spay and neuter procedures. For those who are considering developing or have an ongoing early spay or neuter program, we suggest reviewing The Association of Shelter Veterinarians 2016 Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs published in the July 15, 2016 edition of the JAVMA. The Guidelines consist of six sections: Patient Care and Clinical Procedures, Preoperative Care, Anesthetic Procedures, Surgical Care, Postoperative Care, and Operations Management. These guidelines will help ensure that any program follows an appropriate level of care to cats and dogs.
Reasons To Spay Your Female Cat
1. No more kittens – A visit to any cat shelter should convince you that we dont need any more kittens brought into the world. Whats worse is that kittens as young as 5 months can become pregnant themselves and some will not be able to give birth naturally. The cost of a Cesarean is high and may happen unexpectedly so the next reason.
2. Reduces the chance of unexpected veterinary bills – Seriously, a C-section can cost a four-figure sum!
3. Reduces exposure to disease – Female cats in heat only have one thing on their mind, and theyll make sure every Tomcat in the neighborhood knows. Tomcats will flock from miles away and your usually well-behaved female kitten will make every effort to escape.
Tomcats can carry diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia Virus due to promiscuous contact with other cats. Even if they dont pick up these diseases, your female cat may be exposed to cat flu viruses, which are unpleasant at best.
4. Reduces the risk of cancerand other diseases of the reproductive organs – Mammary cancer is reduced by 90% when a female cat is spayed at a young age. Mammary cancer is nearly always malignant in cats, so its vital to reduce the risk. To do this successfully, they need to be spayed before their first heat cycle, which can be as early as 5 months. Cancer of the reproductive system is rare but nasty, and the risk is eliminated by spaying.
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Early Neutering Of Cats: The Risk Factors And Benefits
Nicola Smith Friday, April 1, 2011
Leading feline welfare bodies in the UK are encouraging veterinary suregons to neuter cats earlier to reduce the number of unplanned litters born that lead to many unwanted cats. Veterinary surgeons have been concerned that early neutering may lead to higher mortality rates from surgery, as well as higher incidences of urinary problems, obesity and growth plate fractures. It has been demonstrated that earlier neutering does not cause any long-term health implications, and that the procedure can be performed safely in young kittens as long as the patient is properly prepared, monitored and recovered.
The optimal age to neuter cats is a subject that has provoked much discussion and debate. Cat charities are encouraging veterinary surgeons to neuter cats much younger than has been done traditionally to minimize the number of unplanned litters of kittens born each year . However, many veterinary practices are still following traditional guidelines of neutering from 22 weeks of age because of concerns over long-term health issues and the safety of performing surgery on young patients. The concerns of urinary issues, physeal fractures, obesity and behavioural issues are investigated in this article to determine the long-term implications that early neutering may have . Additionally, nursing considerations with such procedures are discussed, including preparation, prevention of hypothermia and effective monitoring of the patient.
Why Should I Spay Or Neuter My Cat
Simply put, neutered cats stay safer, tend to experience fewer health problems and dont produce unwanted kittens. Undesirable behaviours like spraying, nervousness, roaming, demanding behaviour and noisiness are reduced or eliminated even in adult cats.
Other reasons to neuter or spay include:
- Reduced fighting and straying
- Reduced risk of feline leukemia and feline AIDS
- Spayed female cats have a lower risk of uterine infection
- Spayed female cats develop mammary cancer less often
- Neutered cats develop hormonal imbalances less often
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What Age Should You Spay Or Neuter Your Cat
Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the cornerstones of pet ownership in the United States. ASPCA statistics place the U.S. pet cat population at anywhere between 74 and 96 million and there may be as many as 70 million strays fending for themselves. Unfortunately, the ASPCA also estimates that 41 percent of cats who enter shelters cannot find a home and end up being euthanized. Breeders, shelters and rescue groups team up with vets and their staff to stem the tide of cat overpopulation but its bound to be a continuing battle for the foreseeable future.
If you find yourself with a new kitten in your household, spaying or neutering is something youll need to be thinking about soon. But at what age is it appropriate to spay or neuter a cat? More importantly, why should you consider having the procedure done at all?
What Happens If You Neuter A Cat Too Early
Actually, early neutering delays closure of the bone growth plates making for a slightly taller cat. Early neutered kittens will have a narrowed urethra which will predispose them to urinary blockage. This has not borne out, either. Urethral dimensions in male cats do not vary based on the age at neutering.
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The Process Of Neuter Surgery
Your veterinary team will examine your cat and run his blood work the same day or earlier to make sure he is safe for anesthesia.
If his blood work is normal, your cat will be administered an injection to sedate him and reduce any anxiety and pain, and then an intravenous catheter might be placed in his leg. You may notice an area of clipped fur on one of your cats legs after surgery.
Your cat is then placed under general anesthesia. The hair on his scrotum is either clipped or plucked, and the skin is scrubbed for sterile surgery. Your cat may receive a testicular lidocaine block to reduce pain.
The surgeon will make small incisions on your cats scrotum, and the testicles are exteriorized through these incisions.
After the testicular attachments are clamped and tied off to prevent bleeding, then each testicle is removed with a scalpel blade or laser. After making sure there is no bleeding, the surgeon replaces the attachments back inside your cats body.
After the testicles are removed, the incisions are either left open or glued shut with surgical glue. Suture removal is not necessary.
After surgery, your cat receives an injection of pain medication and wakes up in recovery.
Cats are hospitalized for the procedure, which usually is performed on an outpatient basis. Most cats go home the same day as the surgery. On occasion, a veterinarian may elect to keep a cat overnight for observation after neutering.