Risks during/after spaying?

danceteach

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Hi, I've had my first cats for just under a year. Both are ginger girls (when we got them as kittens we were told one was a boy but both turned out to be girls!) they are indoor cats and very friendly, cuddly well behaved and appear very happy. One has had heats since about 6 months old and the other since 8 months. They are now a year old.
They are booked in for spaying this week and it has taken a while to get a date when both are out of heat at the same time. (Vet said much better to do together so recovery is together).
My worry is that both are naturally very small cats, only weigh 5lbs & 5.3lbs. (Not increased weight at all since 6mths old) Vet did always say they would likely be little cats as were very small for age when kittens. One is a skinny girl as has lots of heats and is very active and I just can't stop worrying that something will go wrong. I know it is very routine op but I keep thinking...what If one of them has an unknown condition that will cause bad reaction during op?
I'm really just hoping for reassurance as I've not slept well last two nights but I know deep down I'm being silly.
Any advice from those that have been through this would be so appreciated.
Kind regards
Emily
 

Primula

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They will be fine. Absolutely nothing to worry about. Going into heat for a year is very stressful for a female cat so getting them spayed is a gift for them.
 
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danceteach

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Thankyou so much for replying. Yes have always planned to get them spayed for all the positive reasons and mainly lately as both seem to lose appetite a bit when in heat which is clearly contributing to being bit underweight I think.
Just wish I could stop also worrying about them being scared at the vets!
I certainly didn't think I would turn into an over worrying cat mummy lol but it's happened.
 

abyeb

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Spaying is a simple operation, and it is sometimes performed on kittens as young as two months, so your cats won't be the smallest felines to receive that operation. There are so many health issues that appear in whole females, pyometra, various respiratory and bacterial infections that cats are more susceptible to when they're in heat... not to mention that whole cats will want to roam! If a cat escapes, they'll be at risk for exposure to FIV, FeLV, heart worms, getting into fights with other cats (or dogs, wolves, foxes),.. you are going to eliminate a huge number of health concerns with this spay surgery. And don't worry, your vet will adjust the anesthetic for your cats' weight, and if there was an underlying medical condition that would complicate the spay, they would have surely appeared by now.

Please, keep us updated! Your cats are so beautiful, and it's clear that that they love each other, and that you love them. [emoji]10084[/emoji]️ [emoji]128571[/emoji]
 

1CatOverTheLine

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I wonder why the vet failed to recommend Ovaban to break their heat cycles, and failed to spay them at an earlier age?

.
 
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danceteach

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Ah thankyou so much! [emoji]10084[/emoji]
I've never considered not spaying them as know it is the best thing to do...I just can't stop worrying about the whole process now that the day has almost arrived [emoji]9785[/emoji]️
Yes they really do adore each other, they are never apart, my two little shadows who follow me everywhere as I work from home (yep even when I'm on the toilet they think my knees are still theirs to sit on! Lol)

I know I'm likely just being paranoid due to worry but keep thinking I'm noticing new things this week...ie Minnie seems to be sleeping more than usual last few days and Mickey keeps licking her lips and making funny noises and was also sick the other day which has only happened once before. (She has popped a couple of hair balls so could be related) but I'm thinking the worst instead.
They just seem more docile, but my partner did get felaway plug in two weeks ago as they were both a bit restless in heat, so could be that?
Arrgh I never worried like this with my childhood pets...(I suppose my mother had that pleasure back then lol)
X
 
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danceteach

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I wonder why the vet failed to recommend Ovaban to break their heat cycles, and failed to spay them at an earlier age?

Hi, no he never mentioned that?
When we got their vaccinations done we did discuss waiting until they were full grown before spaying and he said that was fine as both girls are strictly indoor cats.
So it was left to bring them back when ready unless any problems in meantime.
To be fair to him we didn't have any reasons to see him for last few months so he may have suggested something else if had?
Neither had particularly symptomatic heats until this month though...ie no howling/calling etc, never try to get out, just got bit more affectionate and wanted some more head and tummy rubs than usual.
X
.
 

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Their are real risks associated with spaying your cat. The most common would be bleeding, infection, or death. That being said the risks are low and it almost never happens, its a very common procedure, vets do it all the time, complications do sometimes occur but their normally minor like a pulled stitch, and it's a one time risk. Not getting them spayed leads to ongoing risk that happens every few weeks. Incidentally the risks are almost the same with infection, weight loss, death, and a host of other risks. I have an in-house lab where I can do minor things like cultures and gram stains and twice I've caught an abnormal amount of bacteria present on a vaginal smear after a heat and had to start a round of antibiotics to prevent pyometra. Intact cats can take alot of work to keep healthy, and a whole lot of washing your bedding from where they've peed on your favorite pillow.
 
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danceteach

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Hi and thankyou again for replies helping to ease my mind.
They went in this morning and I was a wreck all day despite my best efforts to stop worrying [emoji]128522[/emoji] Spoke to nurse in afternoon and they were doing great. It seems they also got very fussed over as nurse said they don't often get ginger girls in, especially two sisters so all wanted cuddles! [emoji]128571[/emoji]
Picked them up at end of day and soon as got home they both came out of carrier and straight away ate lots, drank and used litter. Then settled into their fave warm spots (under our legs) and napped. We have been getting lots of head bumps and affection from them so luckily it seems they don't hold it against us! Lol
No cone or babygrow needed yet thankfully and have weekend clear to keep eye on them. Feeling very relieved and blessed that appears to have gone so well.
Hopefully anyone else who's as worried as I was will take some comfort in knowing all was absolutely fine.
The vets were amazing and can't thank them enough either.
Now just to hope the little pickles don't get at their incredibly neat and small wounds.
X
 

Primula

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Hi and thankyou again for replies helping to ease my mind.
They went in this morning and I was a wreck all day despite my best efforts to stop worrying [emoji]128522[/emoji] Spoke to nurse in afternoon and they were doing great. It seems they also got very fussed over as nurse said they don't often get ginger girls in, especially two sisters so all wanted cuddles! [emoji]128571[/emoji]
Picked them up at end of day and soon as got home they both came out of carrier and straight away ate lots, drank and used litter. Then settled into their fave warm spots (under our legs) and napped. We have been getting lots of head bumps and affection from them so luckily it seems they don't hold it against us! Lol
No cone or babygrow needed yet thankfully and have weekend clear to keep eye on them. Feeling very relieved and blessed that appears to have gone so well.
Hopefully anyone else who's as worried as I was will take some comfort in knowing all was absolutely fine.
The vets were amazing and can't thank them enough either.
Now just to hope the little pickles don't get at their incredibly neat and small wounds.
X
So glad. I have never used a cone or onesies. What are their names?
 
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danceteach

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So glad. I have never used a cone or onesies. What are their names?
They are called Mickey & Minnie lol
When got them we were told they were a boy and a girl (from a litter of only 3) so called them that, only to find out after couple of vet visits that they were both Minnie's! But Mickey responded to her name by then so didn't change it. X
 

abyeb

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They are such beautiful girls. Do post more pictures of them! There are a lot of fun photo-related forums and a monthly photo contest!
 
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danceteach

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They are such beautiful girls. Do post more pictures of them! There are a lot of fun photo-related forums and a monthly photo contest!
Ah that's lovely and such a nice idea! My family keeps saying they are beautiful but I just think that I think so because I'm biased as I am their mummy lol
 
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danceteach

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So Sorry, one more question. Is it normal for cats to come home from spay and want to eat lots? Giving them plain chicken and they keep just wanting more and eating better then did before op!
They are both little especially our skinny Minnie so it's great that they want to eat so much but is that Normal and ok only few hrs after surgery?
They are also acting as if nothing's really happened...prowling around and coming for cuddles as usually do in the evenings.
X
 

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danceteach danceteach
I have never seen a cat that active after a spay.

I think that means the vet was very careful about the anethesia, but also that the pain medication is still working. Did they give you any pain meds for tomorrow?

The kitties may be stiff or sore tomorrow and may just curl up or hide more than usual. Just keep an eye on them. I believe they will be fine
 
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danceteach

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danceteach danceteach
I have never seen a cat that active after a spay.

I think that means the vet was very careful about the anethesia, but also that the pain medication is still working. Did they give you any pain meds for tomorrow?

The kitties may be stiff or sore tomorrow and may just curl up or hide more than usual. Just keep an eye on them. I believe they will be fine
Hi and thanks so much for replying. (They are still wide awake and prowling about and playing as normal) Can't understand how they are not tired yet!...I'm exhausted lol
Our vets do have the surgeon and then a separate anaesthetist who just does that and monitors them during op so maybe that is reason went well?
They had a 24hr pain shot? And gave pain med drops for next two days. Have post op follow up on Monday to check healing ok etc.
I must say after seeing pictures on line of spaying wounds these ones are very small and neat in comparison. Minnie's can hardly see where she was cut unless get really close and Mickeys is only slightly red. Think we got lucky with our choice of local vet?
Yes was thinking they may crash down a bit tomorrow and was worried if letting them eat lots tonight would be unhelpful or not...ie full tummies and pressure etc?
They have both just crawled under the bed covers and settled down so hopefully they sleep for the night now then [emoji]128571[/emoji]
Thankyou again, having this forum has been wonderful and all replies so appreciated. x
 
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