Spaying & Neutering

I have a pair of kittens, half brothers and sisters. Lucy is 11 weeks old and Samson is 15 weeks old. When do I need to get him neutered? I am worried he may start to "go at it" with his sister soon ...

I am also looking for guesstimates on about how much it costs to get these procedures done?

THANK YOU!

Now. Cats may be spayed or neutered at 8 weeks though some vets will wait until they are much older. Michigan State University Vet School did a study comparing spay/neuter at 8 weeks vs 6 months. Absolutely no difference. The sooner the better for both of them. Eight weeks is not too early. If you get a cat from a shelter, they will spay/neuter prior to the cat going home which happens to be 8 weeks. What a coincidence? Keep in mind, it takes about one month for all his testosterone to discipate.

I would get your boy done soon - It is a less invasive procedure than spaying - In the next few weeks or so.

As to cost, I'm not sure especially as I don't live in America. I would ring around a few vets and ask.

Originally Posted by TortyBunches

I have a pair of kittens, half brothers and sisters. Lucy is 11 weeks old and Samson is 15 weeks old. When do I need to get him neutered? I am worried he may start to "go at it" with his sister soon ...

I am also looking for guesstimates on about how much it costs to get these procedures done?

THANK YOU!

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4-6 months old is about right. Some vets will not alter until 6 months old. Do not worry about them "going at it". As long as you get them altered between 4-6 months old you will be more than ok. As far as cost, a male neuter can cost between $50-$90 and a female spay is normally between $80-$120. It really depends on where you live and how much your vet charges, it could be more or less.

Originally Posted by NavDoc

Now. Cats may be spayed or neutered at 8 weeks though some vets will wait until they are much older. Michigan State University Vet School did a study comparing spay/neuter at 8 weeks vs 6 months. Absolutely no difference. The sooner the better for both of them. Eight weeks is not too early. If you get a cat from a shelter, they will spay/neuter prior to the cat going home which happens to be 8 weeks. What a coincidence? Keep in mind, it takes about one month for all his testosterone to discipate.

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Do you have a link to or copy of the study that is printable? I got one of my kittens from a Humane Society/ Second Chance shelter, and none of the doctors here in my area will do spay/nueter before 6 months. I even checked with a few other places in a larger town about 15 minutes away... same response, 6 months.

Sorry to tortybunches for interrupting here.

Tortybunches, Luvmysphynx is right, cost depends on vets in your area. And as long as you have it done by 6 months, they'll be ok.

Everything Ive ever been told is around 4-6 months. Ive had vets tell me they wont do it until 6 months, but others will do it based on their weight (Ive been checking as I have a young cat myself who recently decided to adopt me, though he is giving me the illusion that Ive adopted him ). But my boy is about a year and a half (I think) and my other two cats are a neutered male and a spayed female, so no other active cats around to risk getting pregnant. Its all going to really depend on what the vets are going to tell you in your area. Call around and find out what they say.

As for cost, the average around here in Portland area is $110 (pre-op blood work, neuter, post-op pain shot...more for females because their surgery is more invasive than the male kitty surgery). Whoa, just checked your profile info and it says you are from the Rose City too. You can go to oregonhumane.org and they have a spay/neuter coupon you can use (if you have the financial need, as some of us have) or if you need other options...they can help with that as well.

I do the altering at 8-12 weeks or 2 lbs. If you tell the vet you have a male AND female living together they may do it sooner then 6 months. Some vets are still old fashioned and insist on waiting until 6 months
Whoever said don't worry about them "going at it" before 6 months that is ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE, females can get pregnant very very young (younger then 6 months) and living WITH a male might incourage the mating instinct to come on quicker.

The humane society in my area gave me a bunch of options for low cost neutering. If you bring in a humane society coupon, these vets will do the neutering cheap, it only cost me $20.

Will try to find the article. I worked at a shelter in California. Pets were put up for adoption at 8 weeks old since that is the first available age to spay and neuter. Callifornia law requires that all dogs and cats be altered before going home. The exception would be illness such as URI. All of our contract vets had NO problems altering at 8 weeks.

The age requirement differs in location and doctor. I had Smokey neutered at 5 months. Since he did not drop all the way they had to do the surgery through his abdomin. I went through a shelter which the cost of the procedure was 60 dollars, but after doing the blood work, pain medication injection, head guard (plastic cone piece for around the neck, to keep them from licking), and doing the procedure through his abdomin, it cost $277 total.

I had Ellie spayed about 4 months ago, went through the same shelter $60 coupon for the procedure, but with doing blood work, ect it was $225 total.

Do not worry about them "going at it". As long as you get them altered between 4-6 months old you will be more than ok.

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Given that cats can go into heat prior to 6 months....I would lean more towards having him fixed at 4 months. The rescue I volunteer with spays/neuters at 10-12 weeks of age.

Katie

Michigan State article not readily available on their website. Will call them tomorrow when I have a chance.

Here is a good article on Pediatric Spaying/Neutering:

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/repo...ly-neuter.html

Now. Have both of them fixed as soon as possible.

I've seen kittens have kittens with very tragic results. As long as they weigh more than two pounds, it's safe. Most humane societies that I've had experience with will do the procedure for a reasonable fee at 2 pounds-ish. Many of them have clinics and low-cost programs, though you'd have to look into qualifying for the 'low-cost' part. I suppose it depends on your area, though. Anyway, thanks for getting those kitties fixed!