What Is a Cat Spay?

Ovariohysterectomy, also referred to as a "spay", is that the removal of a female cat's ovaries and uterus. Young female cats that aren't spayed will enter heat, and their chances of becoming pregnant are very high if exposed to intact (unneutered) males. A female can enter heat as early as four months aged . Every cat is affected differently.

The traditional age to spay a cat has been around six months aged , however, research within the past 20 years reveals there could also be advantages to spaying before the primary heat cycle.1

 currently we'll discuss the advantages of spaying whether it happens early or later during a cat's life, the spaying process, what to expect after the procedure, and a few concerns owners may have afterward.

What Are the Benefits?

Spaying is a crucial a part of cat ownership and to a female cat's overall health. the advantages of spaying far outweigh the risks. Benefits include the prevention of mammary cancer (when spayed early), reducing the amount of unwanted kittens, preventing noisy and sometimes irritating heat cycles, and possibly urine marking within the house.1

The Spay Process

Although spaying is taken into account to be operation , it's one among the foremost common procedures performed. Before spaying, your veterinarian will perform a head-to-paw exam, and should suggest bloodwork to make sure all vital organs are so as . Spays are performed under general anaesthesia . If the cat is healthy, a sedative and pain medication are going to be given. Once drowsy, an injection are going to be given to induce a deeper sleep. During this point , she isn't conscious of what's happening and feels no pain. Your cat will then be intubated, meaning a tube placed in her trachea is connected to a machine that helps her breathe. Some veterinarians can also place a catheter within the vein to administer fluids.

Your cat will then be connected to a machine that monitors her pulse , rate of respiration , oxygen levels, and temperature. she is going to be placed on a warming pad on her back, to assist maintain blood heat , and therefore the surgical area is clipped and cleaned. An incision is formed , slightly below where the belly button during a human would be. The incision extended down the abdomen, but the length depends on different variables. The ovaries and uterus are removed, and therefore the cervix is tied off.1 Though it's standard to get rid of the ovaries and uterus, some veterinarians may leave the uterus intact. Remember, it's the ovaries that are liable for the warmth cycles, possible mammary tumor development, and behavior problems.

Once the vet confirms there's no bleeding, the incision are going to be closed. There are usually sutures placed underneath the skin and either skin sutures, skin staples, or skin glue are wont to close the highest skin layer. When the procedure is finished, the tube helping your cat breathe are going to be removed. she is going to be closely monitored by the veterinary team until sent home. If your cat has sutures or staples placed, you'll return to possess them removed, typically within 10 to 14 days after the procedure.

What to Expect After the Spay

Some veterinarians prefer to keep a newly spayed cat overnight, to attenuate their movement. If the spay is completed within the morning, the cat could also be able to head home an equivalent day. In either case, your cat could also be a touch groggy the primary night, and should not have an interest in eating. this is often a traditional reaction. they ought to be more alert subsequent day. Their appetite should also return to normal within each day or two.

Some cats experience some soreness the primary few days after the procedure, so pain medication is usually sent home. it's commonplace for owners to ascertain discharge coming from the incision site. When this is often noted, it's important to possess this assessed by your veterinarian. Some cats may require additional treatments like antibiotics. An Elizabethan collar could also be sent home, to stay them from licking which can cause irritation, infection, and sometimes opening of the incision site.

Owner Concerns After the Spay

Is My Cat getting to Gain Weight?

Estrogens are a natural suppressant . When a cat is spayed and estrogens are removed, there could also be a rise in appetite. Also, spaying has been known to hamper a cat's metabolism.2 Your veterinarian will help to work out whether a change in diet and exercise level is important .

Can My Spayed Cat Still Be in Heat?

Without ovaries, a cat is unable to travel into heat. However, ovarian tissue sometimes extends down the ovarian ligament. This, unfortunately, isn't visible to the eye . When this happens , ovarian tissue are often left behind, leading to a cat showing signs of warmth .3

 The cat is unable to become pregnant since the uterus has been removed, but it's still important for the veterinarian to work out if an ovarian remnant is present to stop other issues from occurring. Diagnosis are often done through blood testing and exploratory surgery will likely be needed to get rid of the ovarian remnant tissue.