age to neuter?

Whats a good age to neuter a cat ? I know that most people say 6 months, but i read some forums where people say that getting them neutered before that is a good idea . When did you neuter your cats and what do you think is the best age to?

It depends on what your vet is comfortable doing. I work with one vet whe won't do it before 6 months, and one who will. I just highly reccomend not after 6 months because that is when you start dealing with spraying issues. Sturgis was partially neutered at 6 months and finished getting neutered at 1 1/2 years old. Sturgis had a retained testicle and it took 3 surgerys an ultrasound and a hormone test to find the damn thing.

My kitten is 3 months old. Should we get him neutered now versus later? I want someones opinion before I go to the vet with him tomorrow for his shots.

Like I said talk to your vet, some will neuter early and some won't. There is no more risk neutering him at this age as there is at 6 months, it is just what the vet feels comfortable doing.

My vet said it is best not to get a cat neutered until his testicles descend. Otherwise the surgery will be more complicated and dangerous (it is harder to reach the testicles to remove them).

Originally Posted by consumercity

My vet said it is best not to get a cat neutered until his testicles descend. Otherwise the surgery will be more complicated and dangerous (it is harder to reach the testicles to remove them).

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And what age do his testicles descend at?

They are usually down within a couple weeks of being born, but some are stubborn, and take longer, and some never descend, so you have to go look for them.

It depends on the kitty. I think the average is 5 months, but I'm not 100% sure. I would just wait until I see that the ball sacs have dropped and then make an appointment to have him neutered. IMHO I think 3 months is too young.

I think his are actually dropped. I'm not sure . So before I make the appointment I'll ask the vet when we take him for his shots tomorrow. I think that would be best. Thanks for the advice.

The vet will normally check that when they do the exam, just remind him/her.

Originally Posted by Petnurse2265

The vet will normally check that when they do the exam, just remind him/her.

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I'll be sure to!

My rambo is going in for his neuter and he will be almost 5 months. both of his testicles were dropped by 4 months. One of the vets i talked to tried to push for after 6 months, and I found out that that was because the fee they charged went up after that. It's a good idea that you came on hear to ask..it's sometimes best to go to the vets with the most knowledge you can get!!!

I can't believe that the price goes up after 6 months, that's ridiculous. The surgery to neuter a cat takes less than 10 minutes once they anesthetized, no mater how old they are, with the exception if a testicle is missing and you have to hunt for it.

Originally Posted by Petnurse2265

I can't believe that the price goes up after 6 months, that's ridiculous. The surgery to neuter a cat takes less than 10 minutes once they anesthetized, no mater how old they are, with the exception if a testicle is missing and you have to hunt for it.

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that's what I thought too....and i told them that!!! Several of my friends have been told the same thing....I've set them straight and given them the link to this site.

Female become more expensive after they have gone into heat the first time or had kittens because the blood supply to uterus has been increased dramaticly, but males are not the same.

My vet clinic will not neuter before 6 months and I think they like the cat at a certain weight also. Bakker was neutered at not quite 7 months-no problems with surgery or recovery. I don't think he knew what happened.

WOAH! They charge more after 6 months. Whats up with that? I agree with petnurse:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Petnurse2265
I can't believe that the price goes up after 6 months, that's ridiculous. The surgery to neuter a cat takes less than 10 minutes once they anesthetized, no mater how old they are, with the exception if a testicle is missing and you have to hunt for it.

The rescue I volunteer with spays and neuters at 10-12 weeks (we've had no complications)..the feral cat clinic I volunteer with spays/neuters at 2 lbs.

Katie

unfortunately some vets are still stuck in the old mindset of 6 months. I asked the vet that I work with why he won't do it younger and he thinks the anesthetic is to hard on their little systems yet he will spay rats, neuter a sugar glider, and other small creatures.

Originally Posted by Petnurse2265

unfortunately some vets are still stuck in the old mindset of 6 months. I asked the vet that I work with why he won't do it younger and he thinks the anesthetic is to hard on their little systems yet he will spay rats, neuter a sugar glider, and other small creatures.

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And we wonder why we still have an overpopulation issue.

Katie

Did you show him the Winn Foundation study?