Neutering & Spaying

Having your cat spayed (female) or neutered (male) is an important part of responsible pet ownership. Spaying or neutering your cat at an appropriate age can help prevent serious medical problems such as uterine infections and cancer. Behaviours such as fighting, wandering and vocalizing can decrease if your cat is neutered or spayed at an early age. Overpopulation is also a huge concern where we can see the majority of animal shelters being at maximum capacity of cats. Contact a staff member at Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital if you have any questions about spaying and neutering your cat.

What is spaying or neutering?

Spaying involves having an ovariohysterectomy (removing the uterus and ovaries) surgery performed through an incision in the abdomen. This surgical procedure tries to ensure that female cats do not get pregnant or have a heat cycle. Neutering is another surgical procedure where both testicles are removed through an incision just above the scrotum. This decreases the male’s testosterone levels and, helps correct behaviour concerns like aggression, spraying, or wandering.

When should I neuter/spay my cat?

Spaying or neutering your cat is recommended around 6 months of age. Spaying should be done before your cat’s first heat cycle to prevent mammary tumours from developing. Neutering your cat around 6 months of age prevents unwanted behaviour such as spraying, fighting, and wandering. Spaying and neutering also prevent unwanted litters adding to the overpopulation of cats. If you have any questions regarding getting your cat spayed or neutered contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital.

What is the procedure to spay/neuter a cat?

Spaying or neutering your cat involves them staying with us for the day. Once they are in our care one of our veterinarians performs a pre-surgical exam to ensure that your cat is in good health prior to the surgery. It is also at this time that pre-anesthetic blood work may be completed and evaluated. Your cat is then placed on intravenous fluid therapy to prevent dehydration and to help maintain blood pressure while under anesthesia. It also helps in the recovery from the surgery postoperatively. The surgery is then performed by one of our veterinarians and a Registered Veterinary Technologist who is present to monitor your cat’s vital sign and anesthesia. Warm-air blankets are used to keep them warm while under anesthesia and post-surgery until they are comfortable. There is also the option to have an identification tattoo or microchip implantation done while under anesthesia, a nail trim will also be performed. All surgical patients are given an injection of a pain medication before and after their surgery. They also go home with a few days of pain medication and anti-inflammatories.

Once your cat has recovered we will contact you and give you an update on how they did during surgery and afterwards. When you pick your cat up a dedicated staff member will go through a take-home instructions package which includes what to expect after the surgery, any medications to go home, and an Elizabethan collar to prevent your cat from licking their incision. Please contact a staff member at Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital if you have any questions or concerns about having your cat spayed or neutered.