We recommend spaying all female pets. The benefits to your pet’s health and to help reduce the pet overpopulation crisis make this decision easier.

 

·         Prevention of “heat” or estrus

·         When in “heat”, the female experiences an urge to escape in order to find a mate.  This unwanted and dangerous behavior is eliminated.

·         It eliminates the possibility of false pregnancy following the “heat cycle”

·         Prevention of uterine infection known as pyometra

·         Elimination of the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer

 

The operation may be performed for several medical conditions. These include:

 

·         Treatment of intractable false or phantom pregnancy

·         Females with irregular or abnormal cycles due to ovarian cysts

·         Spaying is also carried out on occasions to correct certain behavioral abnormalities

·         Treatment of uterine infection (pyometra) or cancer

·         Dystocia (difficult birthing) or post caesarean-section surgery

 

Most of the perceived disadvantages are false. Obesity is probably the most commonly quoted disadvantage of spaying. Obesity is the result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity. By regulating your cat’s diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in neutered or intact males.

 

Spaying doesn’t cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness or affection.

 

We recommend spaying your pet around or after 6 months of age.

Spaying is considered a major operation and requires general anesthesia. With modern anesthetics and monitoring equipment, the risk of a complication is very low.

 

Your pet will be examined by the veterinarian and pre-anesthetic blood tests will be performed. If everything is acceptable, your pet will then be anesthetized. Your pet will have an intravenous catheter placed to administer the anesthetic and to provide fluid therapy during the surgery. After your pet is anesthetized, a breathing tube will be placed in her trachea or windpipe. This will allow the delivery of oxygen and the gas anesthetic directly into the lungs. The surgery consists of making a small incision just below the umbilicus and removing the ovaries and uterus.

Rest and restriction of activity are the primary post-operative care you should provide. Most cats can resume normal activity five to ten days after surgery.