I waited too long...

I'm pretty sure Sadie's gone into heat. The vet told me that I needn't worry about it 'til halfway thru February... but I'm pretty sure it's happening now. She's got an appointment for 29th January, but I think she's definitely got to go in before then!

Is there anything I can do to make it easier on her while she's in heat? I've explained to my family that they must be extra careful to keep the windows and doors shut, but other than that, is there anything I should be doing for her?

(I tried to do a search, but my browser keeps timing out. )

Thanks!

jenn the best thing you could do is find a vet to do a spay now. It will be a little bit extra- between $10.00-$20.00 but well worth it. The price depends on the vet and what he or she has set to policy.

Originally posted by hissy
jenn the best thing you could do is find a vet to do a spay now. It will be a little bit extra- between $10.00-$20.00 but well worth it. The price depends on the vet and what he or she has set to policy.

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Yeah, I intend on taking her in tomorrow, if we don't get the big snowstorm that they're calling for.

Is it harder for them to spay if the cat is in heat?

From what I understand, (and I could be wrong) so anyone in the know, correct me please, but when a cat is in heat, the blood vessels become engorged (or larger) thus making the operation a bit different than a normal spay.

Originally posted by hissy
From what I understand, (and I could be wrong) so anyone in the know, correct me please, but when a cat is in heat, the blood vessels become engorged (or larger) thus making the operation a bit different than a normal spay.

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Oh, I see. Thanks.

Originally posted by hissy
From what I understand, (and I could be wrong) so anyone in the know, correct me please, but when a cat is in heat, the blood vessels become engorged (or larger) thus making the operation a bit different than a normal spay.

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Yep,that is right.Also the ovaries and uterus are enlarged as well.The blood vessels are easily torn while enlarged which causes more bleeding.

I feel for ya if you can't get her spayed sooner.She will drive you nuts.The foster from school was in heat a few days ago.I think she is over it now,or at least I hope so.
She is getting spayed as soon as I go back to school and our vet can get to her.

This subject is very personal to me. From my own nightmare with this I recommend waiting, if possible, until the cat isn't in heat. It sounds like your vet and you communicate well. However, make sure your vet is expirienced and up to date before allowing surgery, especially if she is in heat. Here's what happened to me if you're interested.

Seven years ago I took 2 cats from a friend to keep them out of a shelter. Dusty, male, was nearly 3 and Karina, female, was nearly 2. She had never seen a vet and had severe allergies. My vet said to get the allergies under control first, then do the series of vaccination, then get her spayed.

Several weeks later I took her for her surgery. The vet asked if she was in heat. Based on her behavior, I informed him that she was coming out of a cycle, but couldn't be sure. When I picked her up later he was annoyed.I was told that she was in heat and her uterus was engorged and had nearly ruptured during the surgery, but she was ok.

It took her nearly a month to recover and they never told me to bring her for a follow up. Soon she began having heat cycles again. I had a bad feeling about that vet so we decided to wait until we had a new one. When we moved, we consulted our new vet. He said there must still be ovarian tissue and exploratory surgery would best be done by the original vet.

When we moved again (now it was a couple of years) our new vet was outstanding! He was the only vet on our military post and has tons of expirience with all kinds of problems. We trusted him and gave detailed history. He said that finding the leftover tissue could be difficult.

It took about 2 more years, loads of tears and frustration, and finally 2 exploratory surgeries by our outstanding vet to finaly get the 1 1/2 ovaries left in her. After the first surgery he told me that her insides were messed up from the first vet and he had to do some corrections. She is finally happy and healthy.

Most vets are competent. However, don't underestimate the risk of having this done while she is in heat. Make sure the vet is qualified to succesfully perform the surgery the first time.

My vet clinic doesn't like to spay females when they are in heat for the reasons mentioned above. The bleeding could be a lot worse, and thus the procedure more risky. So with my cats, I've always just waited until they were not in heat, which usually isn't such a long time to wait. Of course, if there was risk of the cat getting pregnant, waiting would not be an option.

If you're vet won't spay her while she's in heat or circumstances prevent it, the best bet is to keep her confined in an area where she has NO chance of getting out - a room in the interior of your home like a bathroom in a bedroom, if possible. You want something with more than one door b/w her & the outside, in case she gets loose. And be sure to keep the windows closed, b/c I've had a cat in heat tear through a screen door to get out. If you have a large dog crate, you might even want to keep her in that. A cat in heat can be VERY determined. She will also cry out, but it is not b/c she is in pain - she's 'calling' for a male. Please don't give her any medication without consulting a vet first.

She's at the vet right now. He said that the risk isn't that much more and that he's confident that she'll be alright. I sure hope so... I know it has to be done but I'm so worried for the little baby!

We'll be sending good thoughts for Sadie! Hope her spay goes well.

I'm all of a sudden in the same predicament. Our rescued feral female kitten, Princess Sparkles, just went into heat last night. She is only 5 pounds and about five months old! The problem is, we also rescued her two brothers and one of them, Romeo, is mounting her. The other brother doesn't seem interested. Will she get pregnant by her brother even if they are so young and little and this is her first heat? What are the odds? 100%? I'm keeping them separated until I can get her spayed when she goes out of heat. I had an appointment for next Tuesday.

Her brother can definitely get her pregnant, even this young. I would recommend you get her spayed ASAP, before you end up with another batch of kittens.

Please call the vet & explain what's happened, and see when he or she wants you to bring Princess Sparkles in for the spay surgery.

Crossing my fingers that you get her in, JaneMargo.

Sadie can come home at nine this morning.

Hi Jenn,
How is Sadie doing today?

Originally posted by tuxedokitties
Hi Jenn,
How is Sadie doing today?

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She's not done much but sleep since she got home, but she's doing well.