The Cat Spay - Factsheet

Spaying is the term used to describe the operation whereby the female cat can no longer have kittens. It involves the removal of the whole of the reproductive tract, including the ovaries.

Cats come into season every 3 – 4 weeks during the main mating times, which are from December to March. They can also be fertile at other times of the year. In season the cat is described as 'calling.' She will become very vocal, may sound as if she is in pain, and will adopt peculiar stances.

Advantages

No unwanted kittens
Less likelihood of mammary gland tumours. (90% if done at 6 months of age)
No womb infections

Disadvantages

Irreversible
Anaesthetic risk. There is no such thing as a completely safe anaesthetic. However by using human agents and by monitoring the patient throughout the operation the risk becomes minimal. We do not feel therefore that it is a deterrent to surgery.

When?

The earliest time is when she is six months old. At this age she will be large enough for safe anaesthesia but unlikely to have become pregnant. The larger the cat then the larger the lungs and breathing tubes, which naturally makes the anaesthetic safer. We do not feel that the current trend to have cats spayed at 4 - 5 months of age is in the best interest of the patient. However, some cats start 'calling' earlier than this in which case we will discuss the situation with you.

We can operate when cats are older.

If she has been pregnant, the best time to operate is when the kittens are seven weeks old. The milk will have started to resolve, and the kittens will be eating by themselves.

We prefer not to operate within 10 days of a 'calling' because there is a chance that she will have problems later on throughout life.

NOTE: At this practice we operate 'underneath' and not on the side. This is kinder on the cat, safer, and doesn't result in an ugly shaved area that takes months to go back.

If you are thinking of having your cat spayed eslewhere then insist on it being done this way.