Spay

When?
The Cat Clinic of Johnson County recommends spaying your kitten when she reaches 3-4 months of age and weighs between 3 ½ and 4 lbs. It is ideal to spay a kitten before they “come into heat” the first time because the reproductive tract is smaller, leading to a shorter surgery time.

What are the advantages?
A spay is a major surgery which involves removing the entire reproductive tract of a female cat. After a blood screen is done to check liver and kidney function, a general anesthetic is used for the procedure, and vital signs are monitored throughout the surgery. The surgeon must make an incision in the abdominal wall to remove both ovaries and the uterus at the same time.

The advantage of spaying is that the cat will not come in heat and therefore, will not be able to have kittens, and you will not be adding to one of the major problems in today’s world, the steadily increasing numbers of unwanted and uncared for cats and dogs. The heat cycle can also cause abnormal, and often obnoxious, behavioral changes in cats. You will also be preventing your cat from developing mammary cancer, which is a major risk created when a cat is left intact.

Discomfort – Hospital Stay?
Most kitties are discharged from the clinic the following day after surgery after the doctor has had a chance to check them over. Patient discomfort is managed at the time of surgery and post-surgically by the administration of an injectable analgesic that helps the kitty recover with as little discomfort as possible. In spite of the fact that they have had major surgery, most patients are feeling pretty normal within 24 hours. Your kitty will be monitored closely during the first 8-12 hours following surgery to make certain her recovery goes smoothly.

Post-Surgical Care

• Keep her quiet and confined for 2-3 days after the surgery if at all possible.
• Check incision site for soft swelling or any discharge twice daily for 7 days. A firm swelling can be a normal tissue reaction to indwelling sutures, but call us if you have any concerns.
• Monitor appetite closely, eating behaviors should return to normal quickly following surgery. If appetite and activity are slow, call immediately.

Neuter

When?
We recommend neutering your male cat when he reaches around 3-4 lbs., which is usually around 3-4 months old. This is usually a safe age for anesthesia, and will prevent the “spraying” or marking of territory that usually begins at puberty, as early as 6-7 months of age.

What are the advantages?
Neutering involves the removal of the testicles of the male reproductive tract. The kitten is given a general anesthetic (after a feline blood screen), and the surgical site is prepared for sterile surgery. The Cat Clinic does a “cosmetically” correct form of surgery, so it is often difficult to tell that any alteration has, in fact, taken place at all. The incisions are minimal and there is minimal pain associated with the procedure.

The advantages involve alterations in male behavior. As mentioned above, if done early enough, neutering will usually prevent spraying (marking by urine propelled out under high force). This can occur in your house on furniture, drapes or walls. It also tends to render the male more docile and less likely to want to roam and/or fight.

Hospital stay?
Your cat can usually go home the afternoon after morning surgery, unless there has been another surgery, such as a declaw, performed at the same time. Once your cat is home, there is little to do. There will be no sutures to remove, but should check the site for any abnormal swelling or redness, which is highly unusual. Your cat will limit his own activity, but should be kept inside for the first few days or so.