Neutering Kittens

Neutering Kittens

Male and female kittens can be neutered from around 4-6 months of age. Neutering offers a number of advantages, especially if performed at an early stage.

A female cat (queen) can come into season and get pregnant from 5 months of age, so it is best not to let her outside until she has been neutered. Pregnancy lasts around 9 weeks, and the average size litter is 4-5 kittens. A queen can come back into season when these kittens are 6-weeks old, so you can see that it is important to get your female cat spayed to prevent unwanted litters!

Why should I neuter my kitten?

Male cats

Male cats hit puberty at around 6-9 months of age and may develop a number of less desirable behavioral changes.

• They may become territorial and may start spraying – often in the house.
• To enlarge their territory, they stray further from the house, particularly at night.
• In enlarging their territory, they start to meet more cats and will fight for dominance. Wounds can lead to infections and abscesses.
• Feline leukaemia and feline AIDS (that cause illnesses and some cancers) are spread through bites. So it is no surprise that those cats most commonly infected are unneutered tomcats.

Female cats

Female cats can be neutered (spayed) from 4-6 months old. Once puberty is reached at approximately 5-7 months old the queen (female cat) will come into heat/season every 2-3 weeks until she is mated, and each season can last up to 7 days. Spaying your cat will prevent this from happening and prevent any unwanted litters. Spaying also removes the risk of uterine infection and reduces the future risk of breast cancer.

What does the operation involve?

Your cat will be settled into our hospital. They will be given a general anaesthetic and pain relief. Their surgery site will be clipped and cleaned and they will be carefully monitored while they have their operation.

Male cat castration – a small cut is made in the scrotum over each testicle so the testicles can be tied off and removed. Stitches are not usually needed because the cuts are so small that they heal quickly on their own.

Female cat spay – a cut is made into the abdomen so the ovaries and uterus can be tied off and removed. The abdomen is stitched up. Most cat spays are done through the flank (side) but some may be done ‘midline’. Stitches are often dissolvable (so do not require removal) and may be buried under the skin so you cannot see them.

Your cat will be monitored as they wake from their general anaesthetic and kept warm in a comfortable bed.  Most cats return home the same day.

Are there any post-operative precautions I must take?

The nurses will explain on discharge how to care for your cat post operatively and can answer any questions you may have.

They are likely to be sleepy and disorientated for the first 24 hours and should be kept warm, comfortable and quiet with access to a litter tray.

Male cats should be kept in for a day and females for 3 days. Check the wound daily for swelling, discharge or redness.

Licking or chewing the wound should be discouraged – a buster collar or medical t-shirt can be used to prevent interference with the wounds.

Most female cats have at least one post-op check (included in the cost of the operation).

Please contact us for more information and current prices.

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