Dec 23, 2024
Spaying a cat is a surgical procedure that has divided opinions among pet owners. Some may oppose this idea, but many cat owners agree that this surgery is essential to pet ownership.
Cat neutering is the surgical procedure of removing a cat’s reproductive organs. It’s also known as spaying (for females) and castration (for males). These surgeries can be done on kittens when they turn four to six months old.
Spaying a cat removes the ovaries and uterus of the female feline, while the testicles are removed from male cats through castration. These surgeries remove a cat’s ability to produce offspring and experience heat.
Spaying is a common veterinary procedure that benefits cats and the community. But before you decide whether or not to put your cat through this procedure, it’s essential to know everything about spaying a cat.
Why is Spaying a Cat Important
Spaying has several physical, mental, and behavioral benefits for cats. It also benefits communities in Dubai by controlling the ongoing concern of cat overpopulation.
Health Benefits
Cats are susceptible to many diseases, including infections and cancers. Spaying prevents cats from these health problems. Since the goal of spaying a cat is removing the ovaries and uterus, the risks of getting diseases like uterine infection and cancer will be completely eliminated.
Mammary gland tumors in cats can be a serious problem since, in most cases, they lead to cancer. Spaying a cat before its first heat cycle will significantly reduce the risk of tumors forming.
Spayed cats generally live longer than intact and unaltered cats. They will have fewer urges to roam around, reducing their exposure to external factors such as fights and interactions with the outdoor environment, which can cause potential harm, such as injuries, diseases, and accidents.
Mental and Behavioral Benefits
Apart from the physical health benefits, neutering also improves a cat’s mental health and behavior.
Neutered cats are calmer and less territorial, making them less anxious, stressed, and aggressive toward other animals and people. The chances of fights in a home with multiple cats will also lessen, as these can be triggered when an unspayed female cat is around.
When a cat is in heat, it tends to exhibit mating behavior, including roaming and excessive vocalization. Their instincts to find a mate kick in. This behavior can become problematic when an unneutered female cat’s needs are unmet during its heat cycle.
Spraying behavior is often associated with male cats. However, some female cats also do this to mark their territories. Having a cat that sprays urine in the home won’t be ideal for you and your family. Spaying your cat reduces its spraying behavior, making your home cleaner and more pleasant.
Positive Impact on the Community
The stray cat problem in Dubai isn’t surprising for residents. The overpopulation of homeless cats is an ongoing problem in the community.
Many animal shelters and rescue groups strive to save all abandoned cats. However, as the number of stray cats continues to rise, concerned citizens and rescue organizations have difficulty keeping up.
Through neutering programs, such as the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR), the population of strays can decrease, and shelters can be less strained. As a cat owner, you can help the cause by preventing unwanted litter unless you are ready to take on this responsibility.
Preparing for the Cat Spaying Surgery
When you decide to spay your cat, your veterinarian will guide you in preparing your pet for the surgery. At our clinic, here are the essential reminders we give cat owners.
Health Check-Up
Before spaying a cat, it’s vital to know if your pet is healthy to prevent complications. The vet may request bloodwork, especially for senior cats, to know whether they can handle the anesthesia and surgery.
Vaccinations
It’s important that your cat’s vaccinations are up-to-date before the spaying procedure. This will lower the risk of infections during and after the surgery.
Fasting
To avoid complications, your cat must fast at least 12 hours before the surgery. You may leave water for your cat overnight until early morning. Still, it is best to follow your vet’s advice regarding fasting.
Recovery Space
Before the actual cat spaying procedure, we recommend that owners prepare an area for their pets’ recovery. It must be quiet, clean, hazard-free, and have soft bedding.
Transportation
Make sure to have a secure carrier for your cat to and from the vet clinic. Make sure to include a comfortable blanket or towel inside the carrier. It’s best if it’s something your cat usually uses to make it feel comfortable and less agitated before spaying.
The Process of Spaying a Cat
Choosing a reputable vet clinic and an experienced vet surgeon to perform the spaying procedure is important. To keep your mind at ease, we’ll give you an overview of what happens when spaying a cat.
Administering the Anesthesia
Your veterinarian will administer anesthesia to your cat before the spaying surgery. This ensures it’s unconscious during the procedure. Expert vets will calculate the exact dosage for the anesthetic based on your cat’s health status, age, and weight.
Proceeding With the Surgery
Spaying a cat involves making a small cut in the abdomen to remove the ovaries and uterus, or only the ovaries. The incision is around 2 to 4 inches long, depending on the cat's size.
Closing the Incision
After the removal of the ovaries, uterus, or testicles, the vet will close the incision using surgical glue or absorbable stitches. The method of closing the spaying incision will also depend on the length of the cut made. Sometimes, surgeons will use both–sutures for the inner layers of the skin and glue on the outer layer.
Managing Pain After Surgery
As with any surgery, the anesthesia will wear off after some time, and the patient may experience pain. To help your cat have a comfortable recovery, the vet will prescribe pain medication and provide instructions on how to give it to your cat.
Most cats return home the same day after the spaying surgery. But before you head home, the veterinarian will check your cat thoroughly and give specific instructions on how to care for your spayed cat.
The Post-Op Care for Spayed Cats
Most spayed cats recover from the surgery within two weeks since the incision generally heals in 10 to 14 days. During their recovery, you should give them extra care and attention.
Caring for Your Cat After Spaying
Post-surgery care requires time and proper knowledge so your cat can have a rapid and safe recovery. Here are some tips for caring for your spayed cat.
Limit physical activity – Keep your cat indoors in an area restricting jumping or running for at least two weeks. This will prevent the incision from reopening.
Check the incision regularly – You’ll know the incision is healing when it continuously dries up every day. If you find signs of swelling, redness, or pus, contact your veterinarian immediately, as this can be a sign of infection.
Use an e-collar or cone – An Elizabethan collar or cone prevents your cat from biting or licking the incision, which can cause infections, making it an essential item after spaying a cat.
Maintain a clean environment – Another important thing you must do to avoid surgery infection is to keep your cat’s resting and sleeping area clean. You should also regularly clean and change your cat’s bedding.
Follow medication guidelines – After the spaying surgery, your vet will prescribe pain medications or antibiotics. Make sure that you administer these medications exactly how your veterinarian instructed.
Possible Complications of Spaying a Cat
While most spaying procedures have no complications, there can be occasional risks that you must watch out for.
Anesthetic side effects – This complication is quite rare, but it still occurs in some cats, especially in senior cats or those with existing health conditions.
Infections – The spay incision site may become infected when your cat recovers in an unsanitized area or licks or bites the incision.
Herniation – There are cases when internal organs go through the incision, which can be a serious problem that needs emergency vet care.
Loss of appetite and extreme lethargy – Mild lethargy and a decrease in appetite are normal for the first two days after spaying your cat. However, when these symptoms prolong, you should take your cat to the vet for a checkup.
The Costs of Spaying a Cat
The cost of neutering cats may vary depending on your location and the vet clinic. If your cat has any underlying conditions that might make the surgery more complex, there could be additional costs.
At Noble Veterinary Clinics, spaying a cat costs 1,200 AED, while castration costs 700 AED. Qualified veterinary surgeons perform both of these procedures.
Conclusion
Neutering or spaying your cat is a responsible decision you can make as a pet owner. It can enhance your cat’s health and behavior. This procedure also contributes to reducing the stray cat population in Dubai.
Selecting a trusted vet clinic plays a big part in the safety of your cat’s spaying surgery. It’s important to choose a veterinary clinic with qualified vet surgeons with enough experience to ensure that your cat will be spayed safely.
While complications after spaying a cat are rare, they may still happen. As a cat owner, you must do your part to ensure your cat recovers successfully.
You also need to take note that your cat may gain weight after some time. If you don’t manage your spayed cat’s weight, it can lead to obesity. Make sure that you feed your spayed cat with balanced meal portions.
Understanding the neutering procedure, preparing your pet, and following recovery advice from your vet can ensure that your cat has a safe and comfortable experience.