How Much Does It Cost For A Kitten To Be Neutered
The price varies depending on where you live and the sex of your cat. Typically, youll pay around £40 to £100 to neuter a male kitten and £50 to £150 for a female. If you adopt a kitten from a rescue centre, neutering will likely be included in the adoption fee. Be aware that pet insurance does not cover the costs of neutering your kitten and this is something you will need to budget for.
Kitten neutering costs are small compared to the likely lifelong increase in vet bills if your cat repeatedly gets pregnant or fights with rival tomcats. If youre struggling with the expense, several pet charities have schemes to help people on low incomes neuter cats affordably.
Does Spaying Or Neutering Hurt My Cat
Like humans, cats are given anesthetics during operations. Cats are completely unconscious while theyre spayed or neutered, so they dont feel any pain. A long-acting pain relief injection administered immediately after the procedure eliminates post-surgery discomfort. Your vet will give you anti-inflammatories and painkillers to give to your cat at home, too.
Generally speaking, cats bounce back quite quickly after theyre neutered. Male cats usually only need painkillers for a day after castration. Female cats usually need medication for three days after being spayed.
How Can You Help Your Cat Before And After Surgery
Most vets ask that your cat not eat or drink for up to 12 hours before surgery to reduce the likelihood of vomiting during the procedure. If your cat goes outdoors or isnt a fan of their cat carrier, consider keeping them indoors so you can easily collect them before the surgery.
A cat spay is generally 30 minutes to an hour, depending on her age and where she is in her heat cycle and the competency of the surgeon, while uncomplicated cat neuter can be done in under five minutes. Cryptorchid cat neuters will take longer and may cost more.
Surgery hurts, so pain medication should be sent home with your cat. When you take your furry friend home, they will be recovering from surgery, so they will need you to monitor them regularly for several days after the surgery.
When you get home, be sure to:
- Provide your cat with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.
- Prevent your cat from running and jumping for up to two weeks following surgery, or as long as your veterinarian recommends.
- Prevent your cat from licking the incision site, which may cause infection. A cone may be placed on their head to prevent licking.
- Give all pain medications as prescribed, even if your cat seems fine.
- Avoid bathing your pet for at least 14 days after surgery.
- Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing. If you notice redness, swelling, odor, or discharge, or if your cat has a fever or is acting sick in any way, call your vet.
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Cat Neutering Side Effects + Risks
But what are the potential cat neutering side effects of being spayed or castrated? And does the age at which this takes place make any difference?
Well, concerns often voiced by veterinary staff include increased anesthetic risk, the development of low blood glucose which can be very dangerous and finally orthopedic problems.
Lets address these as well as some other problems people have suggested develop either after neutering in general or early age desexing.
Starting with anesthetic death, in several studies there is no difference in death rate with those undergoing this procedure from as early as 7 weeks to the those cats being anesthetized as adults. Several different anesthetic techniques have also been looked at and all that were studied were found to be safe.
There is a risk with every anesthetic and surgical procedure but in reality this risk is very low at around 0.1% and the age at which a cat is neutered doesn’t seem to affect this risk. In fact, those cats neutered earlier actually seem to develop fewer minor surgical complications.
Lets look at orthopedic or skeletal issues next. We know in dogs that if they are neutered too early they may be at increase risk of developing joint issues. It doesn’t appear cats are the same. for a start they very seldom develop cruciate ligament rupture and if they do it is generally because of a traumatic event. The also rarely suffer from dysplasia, or abnormal development of their joints.
Why Should I Spay Or Neuter My Kitten
Kitten owners often ask us about spay and/or neuter procedures, the cost and reasons for spay and/or neuter. We recommend that all kittens that are not going to be bred be spayed or neutered both for their own health and to prevent overpopulation.
The Basics
Neutering is a term that simply means to remove the reproductive organs. In females the term is spay and the uterus and ovaries are removed. In males the term is castration and the testicles are removed.
Today this is safe, routine, preventative care. We use the most modern anesthetic protocols and monitoring equipment to minimize anesthetic/surgical risk. We provide pain management before, during and after surgery. We perform blood tests to ensure normal organ function prior to administering anesthesia, and we deliver fluids during all surgical procedures to maintain blood pressure and hydration status.
Animals are admitted to the hospital between 8 and 9 am and are discharged between 3 and 5:30pm. We want to ensure our patients are all wide awake before going home.
Overpopulation
The animal population is exploding. Each year millions of unwanted pets are born and then euthanized. This is a tragic and preventable situation.
Humane Society of the United States Pet Overpopulation Estimates
The Biggest Myth: Its Too Expensive
Factor in any additional cost for treating diseases that do not occur in neutered pets and the cost of neutering, by comparison, is minimal.
Other Myths:
Please Neuter
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When To Spay A Cat
Your little female kitten is just a lovable bundle of fluff. Sure, you intend to spay, but should you wait until she’s grown? Not necessarily. The American Veterinary Association endorses early spaying and neutering for unwanted litter prevention. Speak to your vet about early spaying for your little girl.
Difference Between Spaying And Neutering
The primary difference between spaying and neutering is in the gender of the cat. Female cats are spayed, and male cats are neutered or castrated.
- Neutering/Castration: This procedure is much simpler than spaying the female. Two small incisions are made into the scrotum, where the testicles are removed. This surgery is typically done under a light anesthetic and doesnt usually need stitches.
- Spaying: Spaying a female cat is a more complex procedure that usually requires a full general anesthetic, including a breathing tube . A small incision is made in the abdomens midline, where the ovaries and uterus are removed. The incision is always sutured up.
Both surgeries require preparation on the owners part beforehand and aftercare. And the outcome for both is complete sterilization, so the females wont be capable of becoming pregnant, and the males wont be able to impregnate any females.
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Help Prevent Unwanted Kitty Litters
Spaying and neutering are two of the most common surgeries for cats, and both help to prevent undesired kitty pregnancies and possible reproductive health issues. Plus, they may even reduce some upsetting-to-humans cat behaviors, like urine spraying and yowling.
Benefits of spaying or neutering your cat
Spaying your girl cat when shes a kitten means your kittyBAE wont have litter after litter of unwanted kittens. Shes no longer at risk for uterine infections and has a much lower chance of girl-part cancers. Plus, she wont go into heat. This makes it more likely shell stay safely at home instead of prowling for a potential mate, or screeching from the top of your fence at night every three weeks.
Neutering your boy cat also has potential behavior upsides. Neutered boy cats may stop spraying jetting out pee around the house to mark their territory. It can also help prevent your boyBAE from catting around on the streets for female cats in heat, which can mean fewer cat fights and a lowered risk from predators and cars.
How spaying and neutering works
You can spay or neuter your cat at any age, but we recommend the procedure when your kitten is anywhere from 12 weeks to 6 months old. Kittens typically recover quickly, and usually get back to romping with a minimum of fuss.
Why Spay/neuter Is So Important For Cats
While there might be some differing opinions about the proper age to spay or neuter your cat, theres no disputing that its one of the most responsible things a pet owner can do, not only for the life of a pet, but also to reduce pet overpopulation. Too often, we view spaying and neutering through our own eyes, and how it might affect us, and assume that our pets would look at it the same way. As Coates puts it, physiologically and behaviorally speaking, cats are made to reproduce as frequently as possible. Obviously, we have to put a stop to that. I think it is more humane to surgically eliminate the desire to mate than to block mating but leave the urge intact.
Of course no medical or surgical procedure is without risk, she adds. For instance, neutered male cats are at higher risk for developing urinary blockages, and cats who have been spayed or neutered do have a tendency to gain weight if their diets arent adjusted accordingly. Owners should always talk to their own veterinarian about what is best for their particular pet, but the benefits of spay/neuter almost always outweigh the risks.
It is our responsibility to take care of our pets to the best of our ability, Denish says. They live in our world, our homes and interact with our family and other pets. That means that if spaying/neutering is beneficial, it should be done at any safe time.
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How Can I Help My Kitten Recover After Neutering
The anaesthetic will probably make your kitten drowsy for the rest of the day, but they should bounce back the next morning. They may feel a little uncomfortable for a few days, but your vet will give painkillers to help ease this.
Some kittens ignore their surgical wound, but others try to scratch, chew or lick the scar or stitches, putting them at risk of infection or re-opening the incision. If your kitten wont leave their wound alone, they should wear a buster collar, bodysuit or lick-proof dressing until the skin has healed.
After neutering, keep your kitten indoors until their wound is healed and youve had the all-clear from your vet usually a few days for male kittens and up to a fortnight for females. If you notice any blood, pus, redness or swelling around the surgery site, contact your vet straightaway.
What Is The Best Age To Spay A Kitten & When Is It Too Late To Neuter A Cat
Getting your kitten spayed or neutered not only prevents the birth of unwanted litters of kittens, these common veterinary surgeries can also help to protect your cat against some serious health conditions. Today, our Davidson County vets discuss the best age to have your kitten fixed as well as the benefits of having your cat spayed or neutered.
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What If I Think My Cat Is Already Pregnant
Most cats dont display physical symptoms until two or three weeks into a pregnancy. If you suspect a pregnancy, get in touch with your vet as soon as possible. Some vets neuter female cats while theyre pregnant, ending the pregnancy and preventing future pregnancies at the same time. To find out more, ask your vet about their policies regarding spaying.
When Should You Get Your Cat Fixed
The biggest debate about this topic is when the procedure should be done. Some professionals say that it can be done earlier in a cats life, and others think it is the responsible decision to wait.
The general consensus is that a cat should be spayed/neutered by the time they are 6 months old or when your veterinarian has instructed you to do so. Always listen to the advice of your veterinarian when it comes to the health and wellbeing of your cat.
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Side Effects Of Spaying A Female Cat
The side effects of spaying cats are overwhelmingly positive, such as reduced disease risk and positive behavioral changes. However, no surgery is completely without risk, andalthough very uncommoncomplications can sometimes occur.
Herniation may result if there is a breakdown in the abdominal wall, although this is rare. Uterine infections can occur if an ovariectomy is performed, but the uterus is left behind. In some cases, small portions of the uterus may be left behind, even during an ovariohysterectomy, which can then cause an infection. However, uterine infections are extremely rare if both ovaries have been removed.
More commonly, minor complications can arise from cats licking at the wound site, and inflammation of fluid buildup can occur.
How To Take Care Of A Kitten
Getting a new kitten is a very special experience with lots of joy, warmth and laughter. There is a reason why the internet is so full of kitten and cat pictures and videos. Kittens are super fun, loving and entertaining. Kitten care does involve some amount of hands-on attention from human family members. The focus of kitten care is on acclimating the kitten to its new family, and providing for the kitten’s physical well being to support healthy development.
Drawing upon a lifetime of love for kittens and many years of clinical experience, our veterinary staff would love to help ensure that you are well informed about your kitten’s needs. There are many phases of a kitten’s life and it is important to understand how your cat’s needs will change as they grow. We have compiled some essential kitten care information for you here.
Remember that proper kitten care also requires an examination from cat friendly veterinarian, kitten vaccinations, deworming and other forms of care that support development throughout the various phases of kittenhood.
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Population Management: Reducing Disease
If youve ever been to a county animal shelter, chances are it looked pretty full. Depending on the state and the county, a shelter might be very well equipped and staffed to handle a large volume of stray animals, or it might not.
Many shelters in the United States are suffering from an inordinate volume of incoming dogs and cats and limited resources to handle them. Overflowing shelters lead to stressed and scared animals, disease outbreaks, and unfortunately, the euthanasia of many otherwise healthy potential pets.
There are a lot of rescue groups out there doing good work to get dogs and cats out of so-called kill shelters and into good homes, but they cant save them all and the cycle is perpetual.
In the United States, we take things for granted. In Caribbean and Central American countries Ive visited, dogs and cats largely roam free. A majority are malnourished, suffering from parasites and disease. And in addition to diseases suffered just by unfortunate stray animals, the health risk to people is quite high when a large population of animals around them is suffering from malnutrition, parasitism, and disease.
So while it may seem like a hard line to take, population control in our pet population is extremely important. And while there are other circumstances that contribute to this problem, like pet abandonment, spaying and neutering goes a long way to reducing the number of homeless pets
Does It Matter What Age You Neuter Your Kitten
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Any Complications To Be Aware Of
It would be best to get your cat neutered before it is a year old if possible. After this time, hell be more likely to continue spraying because of the testosterone levels in his body and the repetition of a previously learned behavior.
You should have a litter box with a low entry and line it with paper to avoid litter becoming attached to the incision. Just for about 24 hours after the surgery.
You can expect a certain amount of constipation but contact your vet if your cat hasnt pooped after 48 to 72 hours.
More importantly, while we mentioned this early, it bears repeating as its crucial. If your cat doesnt urinate within 24 hours after the surgery, you need to bring him to your veterinarian immediately, as it could indicate a severe complication.
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Fast Facts On Cat Sterilization
- Most animal shelters and rescue groups require cats to be spayed or neutered before they will allow them to be adopted. The new owner should anticipate picking up the cost for this procedure.
- The cost of spaying or neutering varies widely depending on the U.S. location, but will range from a low of $50 through a pet shelter to a high of $200 for a private veterinarian in a large urban area.
- In most cases your cat will be able to come home the same day, especially if they are scheduled to be spayed or neutered in the morning.
- For nervous cat owners who worry excessively about their beloved kitty, most vets are happy to call you after the procedure is over to let you know how your pet is doing.
Millions of beautiful cats and kittens are exterminated each year by animal shelters who cant find enough homes for them. The famous artist Leonardo da Vinci once said even the smallest feline is a masterpiece. Cat owners can help make sure that each precious fur covered work of art has a happy home. The best way to accomplish this goal is through responsible spaying and neutering.
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