Getting kitty spayed - worried!

daisymay22 · Apr 26, 2016

Hi there. I'm getting my kitty spayed next week and I'm really worried. Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable post surgery and is there anything I can expect behaviour wise? He's 5 months old and very boisterous, loves to play, loves pets and stroke but hates being picked up and won't sit on our laps but loves to snuggle next to us. I'm taking the day off to look after him.

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daisymay22
Apr 26, 2016

sivyaleah · Apr 26, 2016

It should be fine, not too much to worry about.

First, a male is neutered, not spayed. Spaying is taking out the female reproductive organs. The male just has his testicles removed.

It's much easier for a male cat to recover since major surgery isn't involved. He might feel out of sorts for a day or so more due to the anesthesia. Sometimes, they can get behave out of character. For instance, both of ours post-dental surgery were super charged up and a bit confused the first few days. They also seemed to be ravenous constantly, so we just indulged them for those few days. They also alternated between being super lovey or aloof lol. Our female, didn't meow for an entire week which was really unusual but assuming she was in some pain (although they did give her a long term pain killer) so we weren't too worried.

Just keep an eye out to make sure he doesn't pull out any stitches or over groom the area. Wearing a cone for a day or so might help but it isn't always required.

He'll be so much more healthy and happy in the long term so a few days of being out of sorts really isn't a big deal. If you have any concerns afterwards please post here again so we can help

PS: edited to add her's a very fine looking boy cat! Can't wait to see him more grown!

daisymay22 · Apr 26, 2016

Whoops! Haha. Lots to learn! Thanks for the advice, you've made me feel much better. I'm sure he'll be fine, just want to make sure I make him as comfortable as possible.

talkingpeanut · Apr 26, 2016

It's really an easy procedure for your little guy. He'll be feeling back to himself within a day or two. He also likely won't need a cone. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Willowy · Apr 26, 2016

Yes, neuters are easy, the biggest issue is the anesthetic, which can make them feel weird for a few days. He'll recover quickly

. As long as you're not having him de-clawed! That's a very painful surgery.

daisymay22 · Apr 27, 2016

no, I wouldn't get him de-clawed. Thanks guys!

Anne · Apr 27, 2016

We have a couple of articles which might help -

[article="30218"]Spaying And Neutering What To Look For After Surgery[/article]

[article="30217"]Spaying And Neutering What To Ask Before The Surgery[/article]

It's perfectly natural to be nervous and we're here to offer our support! Please let us know how he's doing after the surgery!

moayad albluwe · Apr 27, 2016

I'm also having my cat spayed this Saturday, I'm a cat noob and i mentioned that to the vet, so they will keep her with them for the first day, and they'll check her behavior after the operation and tell me how to interact with her, and they might give her a cone..
For male cats, neutering is so much easier than spaying.
Try to calm down and be happy as worrying won't help at all, and it's a normal operation with low risk rate, it's not a new thing. and as long as this website is here you have nothing to worry about as you can get all the help and the support from the members.
Best of luck.

kntrygrl256 · Apr 27, 2016

Males tend to do better than females. They usually get over it faster and get back to their old self. I found that in a lot of my cases when I have my boys neutered they become more loving. He is a very handsome young kitty. The younger you have this done the better it is for them. Good luck!!!!

Sarthur2 · Apr 27, 2016

I had all 3 of my male kittens neutered at 3 months old, and they were home and playing the same day! A bit of licking of the private parts, and they get shaved a little there too, but almost no recovery time needed. Males are not under anesthesia long either. It's great you are taking the day off to look after him. He should do fine. He's adorable! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

daisymay22 · Apr 27, 2016

Thanks everyone. I would love him to be more loving! He hates being picked up so I don't force it but if love for him to sit in my lap to snuggle, he is very independent and I guess like all cats only wants affection on his terms but I can tell he loves us both, well he hates us to sleep so he must want to be with us! [emoji]128521[/emoji]

cocobutterfly · Apr 27, 2016

daisymay22 said:
Thanks everyone. I would love him to be more loving! He hates being picked up so I don't force it but if love for him to sit in my lap to snuggle, he is very independent and I guess like all cats only wants affection on his terms but I can tell he loves us both, well he hates us to sleep so he must want to be with us! [emoji]128521[/emoji]

Of course your cat loves you guys. Some cats just have a different way of showing their love. Don't be discouraged if he never becomes a lap cat. Our cat isn't a lap cat, and she doesn't like to be held or picked up either. She LOVES sitting next to us, but she will never sit on our lap. And that doesn't mean she's not loving/affectionate.

She comes to us and sits next to us and wants to be near us all the time! She greets us at the door when we come home, and she says bye to us by the door when we leave. We never mistake her lack of touching as a lack of loving affection. There are times when she wants petting and she absolutely LOVES getting brushed by us. It's such a great bonding time. And there are maybe two times everyday well after she's digested her meal that she lets us pick her up. We always tap our hands on our shoulders and ask her before we pick her up so she doesn't get weirded out, "you wanna come up here? (tap tap on the shoulders)" and she'll lift up her butt. We pick her up and kiss her and pet her, and within 15 seconds (max), she's had enough and squirms to get out. LOL.

Know that your cat loves you and that all cats are different. Hey, I hate snuggling and when I'm trying to sleep! A lot of people love it, but I need my own space when I'm sleeping. But that doesn't mean I love my man any less than the woman who loves to spoon while sleeping. So just understand that your cat may just not be a lap cat, and just let him be without forcing your desires and wishes on him. He needs different kinds of attention, but still loves you the same.

tallyollyopia · Apr 27, 2016

Do you know if your vet is going to actually use stitches (as in thread that needs removed later) or invisible stitches (which dissolve with moisture)? If the later, you'll need to keep him from grooming the affected area until the incisions (they make two on male cats) heal.

catminionjess · Apr 27, 2016

I remember having Sgt. Pepper neutered at about 6 months old back in 2006. He was in and out the same day and was running around my apartment like nothing had happened. I was told to keep an eye on the stitches and not let him groom down there. A year before that, Boogie Bear was spayed at 7 months old. I was told to keep an eye on her stitches and don't let her groom or be very active. She also needed a dose of antibiotics for the next 3 days which was to be "shot" into her mouth with those little shooter tubes. Well she was jumping on the kitchen counter and over the bar top the next day and playing her favorite game of sneak attack human lady's ankles as I walked passed her. Also most of the antibiotics went all over me or the floor or walls instead of her mouth. She healed fine anyway. Two years ago, I took my mom's cat, Mr. Manners, to the same vet to be neutered at just over 1 year old. They sent him home with a cone of shame and the same aftercare instructions, keep an eye on the stitches, don't let him groom and keep the cone on for 2 weeks. He wouldn't keep the cone on. My mom would put it back on him and he'd get it off not long after. I stopped by and help her with and he hid under the bed. He actually used the metal bed-frame to help him pry the cone off. I have pictures of him doing it and it still makes me laugh. He's pretty crafty! After 3 days we gave up on the cone. The area didn't look red or anything bad.

Your little man is super cute! I'm sure he'll do just fine with the neuter.

daisymay22 · Apr 27, 2016

Well he lies between us on the sofa and loves strokes and cuddles, he'll sit on our laps when we give him a couple of treats but gets off straight away after but I agree it's ok if he never becomes a lap cat. He sleeps next to me on the bed on his blanket and follows me from room to room when I get ready in the morning (after an epic play session). I couldn't love him any more than I do. He's an angel.

I'm not sure about the stitches, I'll ask the question. Our vet is going to give me a call on Monday to go through everything, I have a list of questions so I'll add this one.

daisymay22 · Apr 27, 2016

CatMinionJess said:
I remember having Sgt. Pepper neutered at about 6 months old back in 2006. He was in and out the same day and was running around my apartment like nothing had happened. I was told to keep an eye on the stitches and not let him groom down there. A year before that, Boogie Bear was spayed at 7 months old. I was told to keep an eye on her stitches and don't let her groom or be very active. She also needed a dose of antibiotics for the next 3 days which was to be "shot" into her mouth with those little shooter tubes. Well she was jumping on the kitchen counter and over the bar top the next day and playing her favorite game of sneak attack human lady's ankles as I walked passed her. Also most of the antibiotics went all over me or the floor or walls instead of her mouth. She healed fine anyway. Two years ago, I took my mom's cat, Mr. Manners, to the same vet to be neutered at just over 1 year old. They sent him home with a cone of shame and the same aftercare instructions, keep an eye on the stitches, don't let him groom and keep the cone on for 2 weeks. He wouldn't keep the cone on. My mom would put it back on him and he'd get it off not long after. I stopped by and help her with and he hid under the bed. He actually used the metal bed-frame to help him pry the cone off. I have pictures of him doing it and it still makes me laugh. He's pretty crafty! After 3 days we gave up on the cone. The area didn't look red or anything bad.

Your little man is super cute! I'm sure he'll do just fine with the neuter.

daisymay22 · Apr 27, 2016

Those are some awesome kitty names! Sounds like he'll be fine if I keep an eye on him. Thanks!

catminionjess · Apr 27, 2016

daisymay22 said:
daisymay22 said:

Click to expand...

Those are some awesome kitty names! Sounds like he'll be fine if I keep an eye on him. Thanks!

Thanks! I have another cat named Jumbo, but he was neutered before I found him.

graywing · Apr 27, 2016

I just got Gizmo neutered a little over a month ago I think now. I was also really nervous about it but just carefully followed the vet's instructions regarding food the night before and everything was fine. I actually got to pick him up early because he became alert enough to come home fairly early.

I recommend getting a nice, soft bed for him to sleep in if he doesn't already. Also, this would be an opportune time to microchip him.

hmckinney · Apr 27, 2016

i got Fuzzybutt neutered about 3 or 4 weeks ago, and he's gone from being really loud and aloof to being quiet and affectionate. he spends a lot more time grooming and sleeping than mewing at the windows and wanting to get outside. your lil guy might become more cuddly once the procedure is over with, but it shouldn't change his personality much at all. he might be more lazy.

but yeah def watch him carefully immediately following the procedure. he'll be a little woozy and unbalanced. try to keep him in an isolated space- a crate with food and water and a litter box if possible. that will wear off eventually. watch him and make sure he doesn't lick the site too much. and he might take a few hours to a day to do his business- call the vet though if it takes him longer.

Getting kitty spayed - worried!

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