Terrified to get her spayed

I know she needs to be spayed for her long term health, and for my own sanity (I cannot imagine her in heat)....but I am seriously terrified. The idea of my precious girl going under anesthesia and being sliced open makes me so scared I could die! She is healthy and I am not doing a pediatric spay (she will be 16 weeks) but still I hear horror stories of kittens dying under anesthesia and I love her so much that I don't think I could survive losing her. I need words of comfort here

Everyone is nervous and has the same worries.  Truth is, there is very little anyone can say to ease that worry.  But, just get it done and keep yourself distracted while she is in surgery and once it is all over, you'll see she is purrrrrrrfectly fine!! 

At 4 months as long as she's over 2 or 3 lbs it's a really routine procedure. You'll also be doing what's right for your pet & protecting her from future illnesses such as cervical cancer. Cancer is 10,000 x more dangerous than anesthesia.

If you are that nervous take her to a local low cost spay neuter clinic. I use them for my cats b/c they do so many procedures that it's very routine. If any weird complications arise... they will have seen them before.

They always do a great job and my particular low cost clinic supports my SPCA.

It will be okay. Schedule an appointment with your vet and discuss your concerns. Ask your vet what kind of anesthesia is available.

I recommend and only allow on my cats sevoflurane gas anesthesia. It is fast acting and very safe. It also cost a little more, but totally worth it.

Ask for an IV catheter to keep her hydrated during the procedure. It cost a little more, but is so much better for them.

Ask about post op care and pain meds. Do not accpet metacam. Buprenex (buprophenine) is effective and safe.

There is of course always a risk with surgery, but the risk is very small. Your little girl will be so much better off. It is best to have the spay done BEFORE her first heat. Spaying before heat cycles start reduces the risk of breast cancer later in her life.

I know how you feel. I am the same way, before any procedure my cats have to go through. The cats do much better than we do.

Agree with talking to the vet about your options,  I won't use Ketamine (and most vets here don't anyway), there are different choices available.  Along with after care and pain meds. IV's are standard here.

there's also blood work that can be done beforehand. 

Many vets are doing a spay that leaves only a very small incision.  There's always the risk of complications, of course, but it's a procedure many vets do dozens of times per week and are very good at.  I would look for a young vet, when it comes to surgery; they are up on the latest procedures, usually.
 

I understand your worries and concerns, my 3-4 months old cat will be going through the same procedure sometimes in the nearby future, once she's grown a bit more. I hope your kitty will be totally fine and even happier afterwards. Best of wishes!

Jezahb --

Please try not to freak yourself out about this. These vets do so many spays and neuters, it's like going to get your teeth cleaned at the dentist. Seriously nothing to worry about.

I was terrified when my baby boy, Boots, had his neuter at 4 months as well. But he came out perfectly, perfectly fine. Didn't even need his pain medicine. He was up and running around again at 4am. Plus while he was still sleepy from the anesthesia, he was super duper affectionate and wouldn't leave my lap. :rub:

I know it is hard not to worry,  I have been a mess when all of my babies went to be spayed/ neutered. They have always been fine, and run around like a maniac as soon as they were home. I agree talk with your vet about your concerns. Just keep yourself distracted while she is in surgery. With my vet you can call around lunch and check on her and how everything went, I'm sure yours would not mind giving you an update.

I was the sme way.....just make sure she weighs enough and she will be fine. But get it done.....sooner thn later.

She is already pretty big, I would say about 3 lbs or so and she is only 13 weeks so by 16 weeks she will be big enough...I just worry! I will call my vet Monday to ask him about what medications he uses and all that, I just love my little monster and cannot help but be nervous! Do you know if her having a bit of fat is bad? I know its odd, but she has been on high protein pure meat diet and so even at 13 weeks she has a little bit of flub. She has the typical squishy fat over her pelvic area that will be shaved and I have never had a kitten spayed who actually had decent body fat. Does this make it harder? 

I doubt a little normal fat will make it any harder. Plus the incision is typically a little higher than where that fat is.