how soon after heat can a cat be spayed?

Okay, so we're going to try and get Hecate spayed next week. She's been sliding in and out of heat for the past month. And I'm at my wits end. She sprayed me! Yes, I'm sure she's female, (see the "heat" comment) but I heard that it's dangerous to spay a cat who's in heat. How soon after this heat can I have her spayed? Her heats haven't been lasting more than a week.

There can be more blood loss if a cat is in heat, though many experienced vets can manage without much if any issue.

Some vets do prefer to wait one to two weeks after a heat cycle; though I believe this is easier said than done.

I would suggest moving forward with the spay date you currently have. Not a bad idea at all to inform your vet that she has been in active heat, just as a courteous "heads-up".

Also, female cats definitely spray! I know it is a common though that this is something only make cats do, but it just isn't true.

So, any clue what's up with the sliding in and out of heat? That's not weird?

That's normal. Cats rapidly cycle in and out of heat - its just the way they're made (and why spaying is so important ). Talk to your vet about the best time to spay - pretty much as soon as she's out of heat should be fine

Yeah, cats do that---they don't have clearly defined heat cycles like dogs do. My vet says to wait 10 days after she starts calling, she ought to be in between active heat periods at that point. But I've talked to other vets and they said that if they refused to spay a cat in heat they'd never be able to spay an adult cat . And so they say it's fine to spay at any point. Just ask your vet what they prefer.

It's a more dangerous surgery to spay while in heat as all the blood vessels and such are engorged.  Many vets won't do it unless it's an emergency situation.  My vet had us wait for about 10 days to do the surgery.  The heat cycle lasts approximately 3 weeks, IIRC.  I'd estimate how far along in the heat cycle you are and then schedule the spay.

Bloody cat sprayed my leather! Aargh! Yeah, she's getting fixed asap!

I do have to wonder if it's a good sign or bad that she's spraying me and my stuff. She might be mad at me.

She's not mad at you - cats just don't think that way. She's simply being ruled by her hormones at the moment. Hopefully she'll be ready for spaying soon :cross: [article="29684"][/article]

It may have to wait. Rune got into a car accident at work today and we're not sure if he still has a job. Plus, he got a traffic ticket for improper position; left turn. He was making a left on a yellow light and got t-boned by someone speeding up to beat the light. So, finances may not permit the spay right now. It may have to wait until next month when I get paid.

Hatchytt said:

It may have to wait. Rune got into a car accident at work today and we're not sure if he still has a job. Plus, he got a traffic ticket for improper position; left turn. He was making a left on a yellow light and got t-boned by someone speeding up to beat the light. So, finances may not permit the spay right now. It may have to wait until next month when I get paid.

Click to expand...

I hope everyone is ok!

He will be going to urgent care either tonight or tomorrow, depending on how bad his (so far, minor) symptoms are. He's a bit stiff, tired, and has some intermittent ringing in his ear. I'm gonna keep an eye on him tonight, and he'll see a doctor tomorrow.

So, I have a theory. Just before she started spraying/peeing on things, we got a futon from a friend with two female cats, at least one of which isn't neutered. The blanket she originally started spraying came with the futon. I'm thinking that she smells the other cats, even after I washed it, and it bothers her. I'll look for some enzyme cleaner when we have the money, but in the meantime, I think that blanket is a lost cause. I've got it folded up and tucked under the litter box. I'm thinking I'll eventually cut it into quarters and just use it as a litter mat.

Hmmm that's entirely possible!