Is 6 months a normal age ....

rang_27 · Sep 27, 2005

to spay? My Mag Pie turned 5 months on Saturday & I called the vet this morning about getting her spayed. When I had the boys they were neutered at 5 months. I was hoping to get her spayed before her first heat, but apparently my vet doesn't like to spay until they are about 6 months old. Which is actually OK with me because it gives me time to save up the money. I know lots of people due early spays, but what is considers average age to sapy?

arlyn · Sep 27, 2005

4-8 months is pretty average, depending on the vet.

tourmaline · Sep 27, 2005

I got my cat spayed at 5 months and the week before the appt she went into heat! So the longer you wait, the bigger chance that she will have her first heat. But I have heard that 6 months is normal....

purity · Sep 27, 2005

6 months is normal in the UK too

rang_27 · Sep 27, 2005

Her appointment is in 3 weeks. I just know that there a great health benifits to having them spayed before their first heat.

laureen227 · Sep 27, 2005

Originally Posted by Rang_27

to spay? My Mag Pie turned 5 months on Saturday & I called the vet this morning about getting her spayed. When I had the boys they were neutered at 5 months. I was hoping to get her spayed before her first heat, but apparently my vet doesn't like to spay until they are about 6 months old. Which is actually OK with me because it gives me time to save up the money. I know lots of people due early spays, but what is considers average age to sapy?

the vets around here will spay at 4 months... you actually should spay prior to 1st heat, according to what i've read. both Cable & Java had their 1st heats between 5 and 6 months, so i fell down on the job there. i've read in more than one cat book that allowing them to have a heat or two can cause mammary problems in later life - so the sooner, the better. i'm surprised he wants to wait that long...

rang_27 · Sep 27, 2005

I too was supprised because for the boys they said 5 months & a two of the three were like 4 months old when they were neutered. All three of my boys are neutered so I'm not worried about kittens, but her health. I'm just praying she doesn't go into heat in the next 3 weeks. I wanted to wait till 5 months old, but I was hoping to get her in next week.

lionessrampant · Sep 27, 2005

I work in a cat rescue, so I've seen cats of ALL ages and all sizes speutered. The earliest a healthy kitten can be spayed is 2 pounds (which is the rule for bottle babies and baby kittens at my particular shelter as we do not adopt out any intact cats ever), but owners, for whatever reason, tend to wait (which is fine, just as long as they get it done before kittens happen!

). Yes, there are definitely health benefits to having it done before her first heat, which generally happens at around 6 months. She'll be at a much lower risk for uterine and breast cancers

Good luck with your kitty baby!!

jen · Sep 27, 2005

I have mine done at 10-12 weeks or 2 lbs. whichever comes first
very important to do it BEFORE the first spay to avoid health risksand cancer later on in life.

emb_78 · Sep 27, 2005

6 months is the norm around here!

jen · Sep 27, 2005

I don't understand why they wait until 6 months when they can go into heat and get pregnant before that and males can start spraying and mating? Plus if it is done before the first heat, there is a GREAT reduction in disease and cancer later on in life! So why wait this long? I know many cats go into a later heat but what about the many that have an early first heat?

arlyn · Sep 27, 2005

Originally Posted by Jen

I don't understand why they wait until 6 months when they can go into heat and get pregnant before that and males can start spraying and mating? Plus if it is done before the first heat, there is a GREAT reduction in disease and cancer later on in life! So why wait this long? I know many cats go into a later heat but what about the many that have an early first heat?

I don't understand that myself.
So many vets are still in the old school of thought is my only guess.

Mine were all done at 2 pounds (around 8-10 weeks).

dawnofsierra · Sep 27, 2005

I've planned Serenity's spay for when she is 5 months.

navdoc · Sep 27, 2005

Old fashioned vet. Michigan State Vet School did a study comparing spay/neutering at 8 weeks vs 6 months. Guess what the long term difference was....NONE. Most shelters spay/neuter at 8 weeks. Get it done. Healthier for the animal.

jane_vernon · Sep 27, 2005

The reason vets tend not to spay/neuter until six months is that it give the cats the time to go through "puberty" and the necessary growth spurts. If you neuter/spay to early they don't get to go through that development properly.

I mean, your cat will still be normal, but it just gives nature a bit more time to finish the cats full development.

Thats why my boy will be totally indoors until 6 months until he is neutered.

ibmoongazer · Sep 27, 2005

my cat has been in heat once and just went in again a couple days ago.. how long does it last?? she is an inside cat and is moaning and squalling so i know she must feel bad. i didnt know about the spay at or before 6 months and she is already about 9 or 10 months old. i think i got her in april of this year... ill get her done next month but i would like to know if i can do anything for her now.. and how long will this HEAT last???? she is worrying my hubby to death. all she wants to do is be near him . hahaha

laureen227 · Sep 28, 2005

Originally Posted by jane_vernon

The reason vets tend not to spay/neuter until six months is that it give the cats the time to go through "puberty" and the necessary growth spurts. If you neuter/spay to early they don't get to go through that development properly.

I mean, your cat will still be normal, but it just gives nature a bit more time to finish the cats full development.

Thats why my boy will be totally indoors until 6 months until he is neutered.

well, Pixel & Mosue were both spayed @ 4 months - they are/were plenty big enough! unfortunately, both Cable & Java went through a heat (Java actually went through 2!) before i could get them spayed.

Originally Posted by ibmoongazer

my cat has been in heat once and just went in again a couple days ago.. how long does it last?? and how long will this HEAT last???? she is worrying my hubby to death. all she wants to do is be near him . hahaha

she will continue to go out of heat, & go back in, until she's either spayed or pregnant. the trick is getting her to the vet between heats, because most charge more if the cat is in heat at the time of the spay.

rang_27 · Sep 28, 2005

she will continue to go out of heat, & go back in, until she's either spayed or pregnant. the trick is getting her to the vet between heats, because most charge more if the cat is in heat at the time of the spay.[/quote]

I always wondered why they charge more if a cats in heat?

arlyn · Sep 28, 2005

Originally Posted by Rang_27

I always wondered why they charge more if a cats in heat?

They charge more because the blood vessels as well as the uterus are engorged with blood, making it harder to do without nicking the wrong vessels and causing more bleeding than necessary.

I believe also that the risks for surgical infection are slightly greater.

Is 6 months a normal age ....

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