When to spay.

I don't know if this is the right section but.

I just have a question about spaying, as some of you guys may know I'm a first time owner and I have a 17 week old indoor only kitty.

So what is a good age to get her fixed? What are the pros and cons of early or later spaying? She is quite a small girl and I don't want to put her at risk, that being said my hubby wants to get her fixed in a months time.

Is there a time that would be to early or to late? And how long is the surgery? What is the aftercare?

Please any info would be appreciated because I've been trying to read up but im not really getting any answers I can work with.

After a kitten reaches 2lbs they can be spayed/neutered- some vets prefer to wait until 4 months, it really all depends on the vet- I would call yours and ask. But she could definitely be spayed now. It decreases risks of some cancers and issues in kitties such as pyometra. And it's much easier to spay them before they go into their first heat (that's no fun to deal with, and vets will cost more when spaying if the female is in heat). Just be sure to get it done and not to let her out or she will become pregnant- especially with the time of year. Usually you drop the kitten off around 8am the day of the surgery and pick them back up around 3 or 4pm that day, so not too long.

Thanks for the info, when do kitties usually go into their first heat?

Anywhere from 4 months on (4 months being very early, but it has happened.)

Every section is the right section for spaying questions! 

The generally recommended time frame is that cats can be fixed when they reach 8 weeks so long as they weigh a minimum of two pounds. Most people prefer to wait until the 10-12 week mark to give their kittens some extra time with Mom and to let them reach the two pound mark. Clearly your little one has well surpassed this limit and, so long as she is otherwise healthy, is totally ready for her surgery now. 

As far as I know (and I am NOT a vet so do not construe this as veterinary advice), there are very few risks to the juvenile (also called pediatric) spay. Of course there are always general risks with any surgery that requires anesthetic but outside of that she is not at any more risk because of her age. In fact, I believe the juvenile spay is preferred not only because it prevents pregnancy and unwanted heat cycles but because they bounce back from the surgery so much quicker than adult cats do. Once she goes into heat it's much harder to plan for the surgery as the likelihood of complications increase and most vets won't spay a cat that is calling unless absolutely necessary. 

Having an animal spayed or neutered is by far the most common veterinary procedure performed and most vets have it down to a science. Usually you fast your girl at night (no food or water after midnight) and drop her off first thing in the morning. The surgery is performed and she is monitored anywhere from a few hours to overnight (this is mostly a vet preference) and then sent home, usually with some painkillers. While I have seen it with some adult cats I have never seen a kitten need to wear the "cone of shame" to prevent licking their stitches and really if anything the hardest part is minimizing their activity for a day or two. 

Even though she is an indoor kitty the benefits of spaying are innumerable. Having heat cycles without pregnancy increases her odds of uterine and mammary cancers later in life and dangerous complications if she ever does become pregnant (such as pyometra). In terms of benefits to you trust me when I say that living with a cat in heat is not a fun experience. Many call incessantly, look absolutely miserable, and can start to spray. Also, just because you want her indoors doesn't mean that's where she wants to be and Toms will come from miles around to try and mate with her. Cats become amazing Houdini's when their bodies are telling them it's time to go meet a man, and I have heard stories of felines scratching their way through window screens to get out. All it takes is a couple of seconds and she will come home pregnant. 

So, make her a vet appointment as soon as possible to have her general health assessed and to set up the time for the surgery. It really is pretty simple and I promise you will never regret having it done! 

In terms of additional research here are some links that may better explain the process and weigh the benefits and the risks: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/spay-and-neuter-your-cats , http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/10-reasons-spay-neuter-cat , http://www.catster.com/kittens/The-Mechanics-of-Spaying-and-Neutering-13 .

Please, ask any follow up questions if you have any and thank you for being so responsible with your new little one! 

Oh gosh they're early bloomers aren't they, il have to book her in ASAP because the one thing I have heard about the subject is if you don't do it soon enough your house will be torn to shreds..

Could you also tell me a little about what happens afterwards?

I know it's best for her, I think I've just gotten a little bit emotional about it because I don't want to have her go through pain.
But that's such a silly thought because she will be so much more unhappy in heat than she will be after surgery.
I never even thought of her escaping but now that you speak of it, I have spotted two male cats on the prowl around our house that I've never seen before.

That's very understandable. It's all very overwhelming when you add a new member to the family, especially when it's your first ever feline family member. I can totally identify with you not wanting her to be in pain. Hopefully by learning more you are seeing more of the big picture though, and that it's short term pain for long term gain. 

At 17 weeks she is close to reaching sexual maturity so it wouldn't surprise me at all if some Toms are starting to show up. Also, some females are silent callers in that they don't display some of the traditional signs of being in heat (until they come home knocked up). All the more reason to touch base with your vet sooner rather than later (and make sure those window screens are securely latched in the meantime)! 

melhammouche said:

Oh gosh they're early bloomers aren't they, il have to book her in ASAP because the one thing I have heard about the subject is if you don't do it soon enough your house will be torn to shreds..

Could you also tell me a little about what happens afterwards?

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Sorry I didn't see this first post just the one after it. Could you explain a little more what you mean by afterwards? As in, recovery from the surgery? 

Thank you so much for sympathising with me. My hubby thinks its very silly to become so emotionally invested in her but I just can't help it.

I can see the gain and there is a lot to gain for so little pain.

I actually "catproofed" the house when she came already so she's going to have to get through glass to escape. But I now know how badly Mia is going to want to get to her boyfriends outside *shudder*.

EB24 said:

Sorry I didn't see this first post just the one after it. Could you explain a little more what you mean by afterwards? As in, recovery from the surgery? 

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Sorry I didn't see this either haha!

Um I mean aftercare you know drugs, stitches, feeding, bedding, less exercise.
Can she still hop in the shower with me while she has stitches in?

melhammouche said:

Sorry I didn't see this either haha!

Um I mean aftercare you know drugs, stitches, feeding, bedding, less exercise.
Can she still hop in the shower with me while she has stitches in?

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You will have to go over all of the specifics with your vet as it will be tailored to what she needs. My experience (with very young kittens) has been once they get home slowly re-introduce food throughout the day (as she may have a queasy tummy from the anesthesia and this will lessen the possibility of vomiting). Pain meds are usually prescribed for females (not usually with males). But, because young kittens bounce back so quickly this may or may not be needed and if it is it's usually just for a few days. Less exercise for a couple of days is good just so she doesn't tear her stitches, but she will likely be less active anyway so it counterbalances. I'm not sure about stitches and water- I'd be inclined to say no but it probably just depends on the type of stitches your vet uses. Overall it's not so different from a human recovering from surgery: a little rest and recuperation is what she's going to need. An extra soft blanky, maybe some special treats, and some extra affection does wonders for the healing process! 

Really you need to sit down and go over each of these points in turn with your vet. A good vet will understand your nerves and take the time to answer each in depth. If you feel like your vet is brushing you off it's perfectly fine to go and find another one. While my experiences are generally standard, your vet may do things a little different and that's okay. Explain to them exactly why you are nervous and that this is all new to you and you want to provide the best aftercare as possible. They should fill in all the blanks tailored to what your girl needs. My hope is that having seen a little bit here on TCS you will feel reassured in their answers that it is a common procedure with few risks and maximum benefits! 

What a wonderful answer to all my questions thank you EB24 you've really put my mind at ease.

I wouldn't have felt right booking an appointment not knowing a little more information about the procedure.

Do you know roughly how big the scar is?
Just out of curiosity

Of course. Happy to help.   I am relatively new to the world of cat ownership myself (I adopted for the first time in the Fall of 2010) so I very much remember how you feel. I was very nervous about every decision I made for Ella because I didn't have any prior experience to go off of. I know you just want to do what's right by your girl and that's very commendable.

I think the most important thing for you to do right now is make sure you have a vet that you like and that you trust. While spaying is most vet's bread and butter you want to make sure there is the emotional connection. You need to feel like you can ask them anything and call anytime and know that your questions will be answered in a respectful manner. Think of your vet as your team member in maintaining her health. They have the expertise but you know her inside and out and will be the first to recognize if something is wrong. They can prescribed meds or treatment but you need to be educated on how to properly administer them. At the vet appointment, a relatively short amount of time should be spent examining your girl- the rest of the time should be spent talking to you, explaining things and answering questions. In theory you could be working with this person for the next 20 years- don't go with someone who you don't feel 100% comfortable with!

Hhhrrrrmmm I'm trying to picture an incision size on a 17 week old. Maybe a couple of inches? Part of her belly will be shaved but it grows back pretty quickly and you can't even see any kind of scar after that. 

Thanks EB24 I can see why your an "advisor" your very wise.

A couple of inches isn't so bad I guess, she's sooo active though I guess that's what I'm worried about. (Right now she's literally sprinting laps of the house) but I guess with the medication she will be to drowsy to act her usual self.

So glad the normal spay in the UK is a flank spay - incision is about 1cm in good hands and the kitten is back to normal the next day if not before.

Oh I'm in Australia so will it be different again?

melhammouche said:

Oh I'm in Australia so will it be different again?

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It may very well be a different kind of incision. That's why it's so important to go over these details with your vet. The basics hold true (trust me, the genius OS would have called me out if any of my facts were wrong- that's why I like her so much) but, some of the specifics may be different. All we can do here is tell you what generally happens. You will have to consult with them for the tailored plan. 

TCS does have a number of users from AU, but it may vary even depending on what State you live in. I wouldn't worry so much about that right now. Focus on getting her in and have your list of things you want to know about. After that meeting if you still have questions then re-present them here. I think we have covered the basics extensively and questions on incision location and size, types of stitches used ect, is just going to be me making assumptions. I don't want to tell you the wrong thing! 

OS's experience of the kittens being pretty much back to their normal selves within a day has also been my experience, but you need to know there may be additional recovery time and that it wouldn't be unusual. Again, all of those details are really very specific to the vet and to your cat. I would rather have you prepared for a longer recovery and be pleasantly surprised than expect a short one and be overly concerned. 

So, start making a list of you questions for the vet based on this thread and let us know what they say after you meet with them! And, all this talk and I still haven't see a pic of your girl! We love pics around here so please post one if you have one! 

She has an appointment on Saturday so il ask him then thanks

Here is my girl!

Oh she is SO cute! I have a major soft spot for predominately white cats. The picture of her on her back makes her look exactly like my Diego!


I especially like the dark markings on her ears and tail. Plus, with all those exposed belly poses she looks super friendly and comfortable- what a sweetheart! 

And I love the pink collar. Getting her spayed AND she's ID'ed?  Well done my friend!