Do you think my 3 1/2 yr old should be spayed?

I know it is uncomfortable for them, and her last three heat cycles she seems to be having alot of issues during it, seems like anal glands, and aggressive for just a few hours, and whimpers, i think her bum maybe burning or something? but she is ok afterwards. My concern is the surgery, the idea of someone drugging my kitty then cutting her open terrifies me, I know it is done ALL the time, but being that she is almost 4, the health risks of not being spayed would still exist, according to my vet, even if she did have it done now. (tumors, cancer) Aside from the annoyance and spraying, would there be a point to still have her spayed? has anyone done it to an adult cat?

Unequivocally YES! Get her spayed- not doing so opens her up to a horrible type of mammory cancer that I have had the misfortune of seeing in a few older rescues who were not spayed. It is not fair for her to keep her fertile and have her go through heat cycles and the possibility of getting pregnant because if she gets out, she will get pregnant. I have done older cats a lot of times and never had issues with them at all. Please get her spayed as soon as possible- that cancer is nasty and the kitties suffer so much.

Its worth spaying them at any age, Flash was two before she was spayed

It sounds like shes very uncomfortable when she is in heat so that would be eliminated, there are some horrible problems a cat can get from not being spayed I cant remember the name of the problem they can have, but it lowers the risk of tumors, cancer

I was scared that flash was being put under even though she had had an operation when she was a kitten

but all around irs best for the cat

Yeah to the posters above, and don't forget about the risks of pyometra - it can be deadly, and she is at risk in every cycle... Everytime she is in heat and doesn't get pregnant, her risks increase a bit.
There is no advantage, really, for you or her, in remaining intact IMHO...
Thank you for coming in and asking though

Yes, it's worth it. Sonja was 5 (or so the vet estimated) when she was spayed, and the vet said her reproductive organs were a mess--starting to grow together--and would have killed her if she had gone unspayed any longer. Plus, the more often she goes into heat, the higher her chances of getting pyometra. Her chances of mammary cancer may not be significantly lowered at this point, but pyo is always a threat to any unspayed female.

If you're worried about the surgery (which is quite safe for a young healthy cat; safer than remaining unspayed), there are things you can do to make it even safer. Have bloodwork done first, to make sure her kidneys and liver can handle the anesthetic. Choose a good careful vet who is known to be a skilled surgeon (ask around for recommendations, and look him/her up on the internet. You can also contact the vet boards to see if the vet you want to use has had complaints). Ask about what anesthetics they use (some are safer than others. . .ketamine is known to cause issues in some cats, while sevoflorane and isoflorane are known to be very safe). Ask about monitoring of post-op pets, and if they have an all-night attendant. Things like that.

Most definitely!! If you're not a professional breeder, there is no reason to not spay her. It will be better for her health and keep you more sane!

It is perfectly safe to have your four year old cat spayed. Shelters spay cats of all ages as they come into the shelter without any problems. The longer you wait the higher the percentage of cancer. There is to reason she should have to go through these heat cycles, aggressive feelings and just feeling lousy at times. She will be a much happier, relaxed and more healthy cat after the spay.

I agree with the posters above as well!
I sympathize with you; I was a wreck when I left my girls to be cut and poked and prodded, but it's over before you know it and her health will be better and she'll be much less at risk for the rest of her life.
There are risks of mammary cancers and pyometra for an unspayed cat, and the longer you wait, the higher the chances become. Besides that, she will be much happier. Being in heat is very stressful for a cat.

Yes spaying her will help to prevent her from getting certain cancres. Also if she ever get's outside, you won't have to worry about her having kittens. Luna was spayed, after a couple of days she was fine, running around and playing again.

Originally Posted by My4LLMA

Luna was spayed, after a couple of days she was fine, running around and playing again.

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Yeah, but she was a kitten. I will say that the surgery is harder on older females, so I think painkillers are an absolute necessity for any female who is spayed after her first heat. Sonja was in terrible pain for about 3 days (I didn't know to ask for painkillers, as all the cats I'd had spayed before were kittens and recovered fast).

I've had many cats over the age of 5 spayed and there are absolutely NO issues.

Definitely get your girl spayed

thank you for all the advice, I had no idea it could be that serious of a risk. I have a 17 year old cat who was never spayed or vaccinated and shes still going strong, but that doesnt mean the same will happen for the younger one, i just got lucky i suppose! I almost wish someone would take her in without my knowledge while im away for a few days so I would never even worry, but i just keep thinking "what if?" I'd hate myself if something went wrong during surgery.

Your 17 year old cat is lucky.
I know it's stressful. I always alter all of my animals so I'm used to it and familiar with the procedure, but it is stressful thinking about what can go wrong. You just have to do and choose a good vet you trust. I do know I'd rather have my cat be spayed than have pyometra, that's for sure.

I did know of a cat who lived to be 20 and she was never spayed (she also had manymany litters ), so it can happen. But most of the time, even if they don't get pyo, the stress of being in heat all the time like that really takes a toll on their health and unspayed cats just don't live as long in general.

I would get her spayed for sure.
Most spays are done in a few hours then she is back home with you, so the hard experience will be over and done with soon enough and she is given good drugs so she isn't in pain.

Originally Posted by Jessica00

I have a 17 year old cat who was never spayed or vaccinated and shes still going strong, but that doesnt mean the same will happen for the younger one, i just got lucky i suppose! I almost wish someone would take her in without my knowledge while im away for a few days so I would never even worry, but i just keep thinking "what if?" I'd hate myself if something went wrong during surgery.

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As you've said your 17 year old little girl has been very lucky. An old neighbour of mine lost his cat due to breast cancer, and he still regrets not getting her spayed

We've all been in your situation when it comes to worrying over the surgery, but we still get our cats done because it is the right thing to do.

Make an appointment to have your little girl spayed, and l promise you we'll support you every step of the way, from the moment she goes in, the anxious wait inbetween, until she's safely back home with you

My parents' cat was a rescue and was about 5-6 years old when they adopted her. She came through her spay procedure just fine. The benefits FAR outweigh any potential risks. I was a nervous wreck when all 3 of mine were spayed, but it's a great relief to know I saved them many potential issues down the line