Learning More about Cat Spays and Neuters at The Animal Hospital of Roxbury
What is the difference between a cat spay and a cat neuter?
Cat spaying is when you are fixing or altering a female cat. You are removing their ovaries and their uterus, that's at least the way that we do it here, so they can no longer have babies. They also no longer go through heat cycles, so you don't hear the yowling and the different behaviors. They also don't bleed anymore, and it greatly reduces the risk of getting mammary cancer or breast cancer. We frequently talk about getting fixed by five, so we usually recommend that we get our cats spayed and neutered by five months old. The same rule goes for male cats, that's what we call neutering, and when we neuter a cat, we remove their testicles so they can no longer make babies. With male cats, it can help them to no longer or decrease the risk of them spraying, marking around the house, being a bit territorial, and wandering, which is a big thing with them when they are still intact. And, of course, it decreases the chance of testicular cancer.
At what age should I have my cat spayed or neutered?
Fixed by five, spayed or neutered by five months.
What are the benefits of spaying my female cat?
The benefits of spaying your female cat include not contributing to the pet overpopulation, but in general, it's significantly healthier for your cat to be spayed. Every time that cat goes through a heat cycle, their risk of mammary cancer or breast cancer increases, and breast cancer in cats is typically extremely aggressive. So, any chance that we get to decrease the risk of them getting it is worth it. Definitely spay and neuter.
What are the benefits of neutering my male cat?
When we neuter male cats, we typically see a decrease in the testosterone-related behaviors like marking and spraying, that god-awful tomcat smell. They typically are also less likely to wander and be aggressive and do risky behaviors like fighting with others, though not always, as some still like to pick a fight.
Are there any risks associated with spaying or neutering?
There's always risks involved with anesthesia. When you spay and neuter, cats are always asleep for it. It's not something that you can do awake. Typically, here we use a couple of different forms of pain control, both opioids and anti-inflammatories, and then local pain control options as well that will numb areas. But anytime you do anesthesia, there's always that potential risk. All of our guys are monitored with blood pressures, and they have ECGs hooked up to them, monitored by our technicians like Jackie, who keep a really close eye on them. But there is always that risk. And then, of course, you have the complications after surgery. They're not allowed to lick or chew at their incision site, which can be really difficult with them, so sometimes they have to wear the big cone of shame. But typically, cats do really, really well.
What is the typical recovery time after spaying or neutering?
Usually, we like them to try and at least somewhat take it easy for about two weeks after surgery, particularly for the females because that surgery is a bit more invasive and goes into their belly. It includes them not licking and chewing at their surgery site. For male cats, it's a little bit shorter, but we ask that you keep an eye on the surgery site for at least two weeks, but they are usually back up to balancing and active pretty quickly within a couple of days.
How should I prepare my cat for spaying or neutering surgery?
When you schedule that appointment with your veterinarian, your regular primary vet, they'll go over instructions. Usually, it's just fasting, so no food or water the night before surgery, and then they get dropped off in the morning at about 8:30 or 8:45 where they hang out with us for the day. Particularly if you have a female cat, if you can look at the surgical recovery suits and get them used to that suit before surgery so it's not quite as much of a shock to them after surgery, you might not need an e-collar.
What should I expect during my post-surgery recovery?
We want to try and keep them as calm as possible. I know that's really difficult, especially with kittens, but we want to try and avoid the really heavy play like the jumping and the climbing and the roughhousing. Sometimes we'll send medications home with them to help kind of keep them calm, but we ask you to check on that incision at least once a day and make sure there's no redness, discharge, anything like that.
Can my cat eat or drink before the surgery?
Not from 9:00 p.m. the night before.
How do I care for my cat's surgical site after spaying or neutering?
Take a peek at that at least once a day. We want you to look for redness, discharge, swelling. Anything like that should be brought to our attention. We recommend either using an e-collar to prevent licking or even surgical bodysuits. They come in all sorts of fun colors and shapes and patterns, but the big thing with the recovery suits is that we try and get them used to it before they come in for surgery, and then they typically do really well.
Are there any special dietary needs for a cat recovering from surgery?
Not really, just lots of love and attention.
What are common side effects of spaying or neutering in cats?
They don't pee all over the place, they tend not to mark as much, and it can help them not wander and go so far from home. I guess that's a side effect. Oh, sometimes they will, when they get a little bit older, get a little bit chunky. It's hard to tell if that's because they're spayed or neutered or if that's because they just want to be a fat cat and that's their goal in life.
How can spaying or neutering affect my cat's behavior?
It can definitely cut down on the marking behaviors, territorial issues, and these are mainly male cat things. Female cats, by spaying them, you can decrease those hormone swings, so sometimes it can help decrease the moodiness, which can be helpful, though some cats are just moody to be moody. But overall, mainly with the males, you see less testosterone-related behaviors like marking, fighting, and wandering.
Will spaying or neutering change my cat's personality?
The short answer is it shouldn't. They're usually a little sleepy, groggy, maybe a little grouchy for a day or two after surgery, just like I would be, and then they usually go back to normal.
What should I do if I notice complications after my cat's surgery?
Contact your veterinarian.
How can spaying or neutering prevent certain health issues in cats?
Yes, particularly spaying cats can help decrease the risk of developing mammary cancer or breast cancer down the road, and so it's really important to get them spayed or neutered.
How does spaying or neutering impact a cat's weight?
Sometimes cats can get a little bit chunky when they get older. A lot of times, we don't know if that's just because they're spayed or neutered or if that's because their goal in life is to be a fat cat.
Is it safe to spay or neuter a pregnant cat?
Yes, it is something that is commonly done. It is a little bit higher risk than spaying them when they're not pregnant, and you would only spay a pregnant cat—obviously, males don't get pregnant, oh please cut that out—but yes, it is slightly more dangerous, a little bit riskier because the uterus is bigger and there's a whole big blood supply there, but it is very commonly done and they typically do fine.
What should I discuss with my vet before scheduling spaying or neutering?
Definitely have that discussion with your vet. You should always have a regular veterinarian and a good relationship with your veterinarian. As the kitten grows, you should be seeing them frequently for vaccines and deworming and any issues, and so likely you'll have had this conversation at some point in that relationship. But usually, between you and your vet, you'll figure out when to bring them in for spay and neuter, and hopefully, it's your regular vet doing it so then you know who will actually be doing the surgery on your cat.
How much does spaying or neutering a cat cost?
We do our pricing here by estimates because it goes by weight. Depending on how big they are, depending on how old they are, really changes that price range there.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (973) 691-1771, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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