Spay and Neuter Questions

The two kitties I adopted were fixed last Tuesday. I was told when I picked the up Friday that they needed to have their stitches out on Thursday or Friday (20th or 21st). I was also given the name and address of the vet that did the procedures. Well, this vet is over an hours drive. These being my only pets, I don't have my own vet yet. Would you take them that far to get their stitches removed or would you use that as an opportunity to meet a local vet? I got their rabies tags and they've been fixed obviously but I don't have any other records... is it safe to assume they've had all their other shots or is the vet going to try to talk me into those if I don't go back to their vet? How important are yearly shots for completely indoor kitties? (Growing up I was only allowed indoor/outdoor kitties because my parents didn't want a litterbox, so the vax question was obvious then...).

I think I would find a local vet. When Blossom had her stitches out the vet nurse took them out & we didn't see the vet at that time. You could ring the vet that did their ops & ask him to fax the records to the new vet you are thinking of using. I'm sure they won't mind when you explain the situation. Blossom is my 1st indoor only cat & she's nearly due for her 1st annual booster. There's a change in thinking with vaccinations in the dog world, that they last longer than the one year & can be done every 2-4 yrs. Though they do advise the 1st booster. I don't know if this is the same for cats.

Thanks. I just made an appointment for them at my mom's local vet so hopefully we'll like them! Stitches come out Thursday!

I'd check with the vet that did them and ask them if your vet can remove the stitches. And also check to see what shot records they have on the 2 cats.

Yearly shots are not necessary anymore - they recently found that the shots are good for 2-3 yrs. So if they have their complete set of shots now, you can schedule them every 2-3 yrs now.

Originally Posted by 4blueyes

These being my only pets, I don't have my own vet yet. Would you take them that far to get their stitches removed or would you use that as an opportunity to meet a local vet? I got their rabies tags and they've been fixed obviously but I don't have any other records... is it safe to assume they've had all their other shots or is the vet going to try to talk me into those if I don't go back to their vet? How important are yearly shots for completely indoor kitties? (Growing up I was only allowed indoor/outdoor kitties because my parents didn't want a litterbox, so the vax question was obvious then...).

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I am glad you are going to meet "your" vet. This relationship is very important for the health of your animals, doesn't matter if you have only one or have several. The vet is important. That is a good thing just in case anything else comes up and so you don't have to drive so far just to get stitches out. It is good to have your own vet nearby just in case of emergencies too.

My indoor kitty was vaxed as a kitten but no more since then. They are not needed and she is my only cat, indoor only and the chances of her getting out are very slim, she is now an adult. I still get yearly check-ups, just no yearly vax. Titers are becoming more accepted. My vet supports this decision. Talk about this to your vet, vax recommendations are changing. You can do some research on this, there is a lot of information out there on both sides.

If your kitties were adopted from a shelter or rescue there is a high probability they have already been given their vacc's. You can have their records faxed to your new vet to make sure.

Had mama and babies spayed and neutered last Thursday. Kitten that was spayed her belly has a lot of bruising. Incision site looks good. Should I be overly concerned with the bruising? Anything else I should be looking for?