Kitties have a spay appointment Friday. For some reason I'm all sketched out.

[Cat-nificent]

It's kind of irrational. I'm not only concerned about the procedure and the aftercare but the car ride to the vet. It is an hour away. I have 2 carriers but have never tried to get them in there. The carriers have been lying around the kitty play area since they arrived, just so they would be used to them. And for some reason I think something bad is going to happen. I'm not like this, this kind of irrational Final Destination type thinking.

They will be getting their shots and nails trimmed too. I don't know why this has all has become a 'problem' for me. I also have this idea that after it is all said and done, they are going to be 'different' somehow, personality etc. even if everything goes okay and other times I worry they may have a bad reaction to something.


Not sure if this is the right sub forum or even why I am posting this other than I've gotten to the point where I'm thinking about not bringing them or having them spayed etc.

 

[Kris107]

They will be fine! The surgeries are quick and easy - especially if they're young. I've seen some be done in minutes. They need their pet parent to be strong for them and reassure them and care for them after. This will be only a small blip in their life for a lifetime of a better life.

 

[tabbytom]

It's kind of irrational. I'm not only concerned about the procedure and the aftercare but the car ride to the vet. It is an hour away. I have 2 carriers but have never tried to get them in there. The carriers have been lying around the kitty play area since they arrived, just so they would be used to them. And for some reason I think something bad is going to happen. I'm not like this, this kind of irrational Final Destination type thinking.

They will be getting their shots and nails trimmed too. I don't know why this has all has become a 'problem' for me. I also have this idea that after it is all said and done, they are going to be 'different' somehow, personality etc. even if everything goes okay and other times I worry they may have a bad reaction to something.


Not sure if this is the right sub forum or even why I am posting this other than I've gotten to the point where I'm thinking about not bringing them or having them spayed etc.

I think it all boils down to anxiety. It's good to have them spayed so that they won't go into heat and get pregnant as getting into heat means you have to deal with all the caterwauling and also if they get pregnant, it's pain for them and their health will suffer.

I understand what you are thinking of but sometimes it's a one off thing and better to get the stuffs done and be over with it rather than face the problems in the latter days which the consequences could be worse than now.

 

[silent meowlook]

If you truly have a deep down gut bad feeling, then don’t do it and find another vet and make an appointment there. There is allot to be said for gut instincts. I once cancelled my cat’s spay while she was on the table. I rescheduled with a different vet for a later date.

 

[neely]

I've gotten to the point where I'm thinking about not bringing them or having them spayed etc.

TCS has an article that addresses the benefits of having your cats spayed or neutered that might be helpful for you to read:
Why You Should Spay And Neuter Your Cats - A Complete Guide - TheCatSite

I do understand your anxiety and sympathize with you. Please keep us updated and I'll be crossing my fingers for both of your cats and you.

 

[Cat-nificent]

Hi All,

I ended up bringing them for their appointment. I pick them up in a few hours. Fingers crossed

 

[stephanietx]

Cat-nificent how did things go?

 

[Cat-nificent]

Cat-nificent how did things go?

There were no complications during the procedure. yay! But I’m a bit concerned about the aftercare. Both cats ate as soon as they got home and were still really dopey. I set up a containment area, put their cones on after they ate, and I took a nap. When I woke up, I found they had both managed to remove their cones. Catnificence had escaped the containment area and was back to her usual antics, though a bit more clumsily. Unfortunately, she’s been running, jumping, and possibly cleaning her wound area . I don't know what happened during those few hours. I was out like a light. The wound doesn’t look bad, but I’ll check it again soon and get a second opinion from someone more experienced tomorrow / later today. It's 3am here. Professor Meowington, she definitely seems very sedated, chill and spaced out whereas Catnificence seems same old same old just clumsier, and purring loudly no matter what she's doing. So, I'm guessing everything is fine.

 

[Margot Lane]

Glad you got some needed rest. There are different kinds of cones, like soft doughnuts, if the plastic ones don’t work. Honestly I don’t ever recall using a cone on a cat for aftercare, but times have changed. Congrats on getting you & them home!

 

[Cat-nificent]

Thanks. These are the clear plastic cones. They did not have cones on when they were given back to me and getting them were optional. But the after-care video and written instructions said no licking or baths etc. and I figured the cones would be the only way to stop them from licking.

 

[epona]

Cats really do not like the lampshade style cones as they rely a lot on their peripheral vision - so having a cone on can be distressing and make them feel that they cannot see potential threats.

You can get a variety of soft and inflatable post-surgical collars that they will tolerate a lot better - the same as if they have a cone on you need to make sure they are not left unattended in an area with hazards that they could get the cone or collar caught up in, so recuperation in a small room with nothing they could get post-op collars snagged on is best, with wider exploration allowed when you are at home to keep a close eye on them.

Well done for getting your girls done, once they have healed this worry will be just a distant memory

 

[Antonio65]

Having their shots done on the same day of spaying is not advisable.
All the vets that I have known in these past 20+ years are against it.

 

[epona]

Also neutering/spaying of cats does not tend to change their personality in any negative way, it removes the strong drive to find a mate and/or secure a large territory and fight over it, which can make cats really quite anxious - so any effect tends to be that once the hormones are out of their system they are a bit more chilled and happy, not going into heat or desperate to find another cat to mate with or constantly patrolling the boundary of their territory and fighting, which can cause a lot of anxiety and fractious behaviour.

They are also now at far less risk of developing certain types of cancer or infections for the rest of their lives - you have done a good thing for their welfare, and although they have a bit of healing to do now, once they are through that I am certain they would thank you for the good thing you have done for them if they understood it

 

[Cat-nificent]

Having their shots done on the same day of spaying is not advisable.
All the vets that I have known in these past 20+ years are against it.

I had no idea. The spay service included the shots, the micro-chip and trimming.

 

[Antonio65]

I had no idea. The spay service included the shots, the micro-chip and trimming.

Microchip and trimming are safe during the spaying, but all my vets always told to have the shots done at least three weeks prior to or after the sterilization.

 

[sk8termom]

when rascal had an injury he wouldn't tolerate a cone. Try a whole body light body sweater for a puppy instead It worked perfectly for us

 

[epona]

I had no idea. The spay service included the shots, the micro-chip and trimming.

I wouldn't worry about it, I think it's just in case there is infection after the surgery and the immune system is busy with the vaccine - if they are doing fine then no need to be anxious about it all being done at once - that ship has sailed if that makes sense. If they are doing well then they are doing well and no need to be concerned.

 

[Antonio65]

I wouldn't worry about it, I think it's just in case there is infection after the surgery and the immune system is busy with the vaccine

Actually it's because the anesthesia would decrease the efficiency of the immune system, and dealing with the shots could give reaction to the vaccine and even start some health issues.
This is what several vets told me on different occasions.

 

[stephanietx]

I'm a fan of no cones post-spay/neutering unless they start licking it raw or there's a problem with the incision site. Cats are pretty self-limiting and will slow down when they are not feeling well. My boy was a live wire post-neuter. The anesthesia made him SUPER hyper and he ran around and played until he crashed, then he slept for most the day! My advise is to keep an eye on them and check their incision sites daily. Look for any angry redness, weeping, or open sutures at the spay incision site. If you notice any of these get to the vet. Also, if you notice any unusual lethargy (not caused by anesthesia wearing off), change in play, eating or litterbox habits, that's also a reason to get them to the vet.

 

[Cat-nificent]

I'm a fan of no cones post-spay/neutering unless they start licking it raw or there's a problem with the incision site. Cats are pretty self-limiting and will slow down when they are not feeling well. My boy was a live wire post-neuter. The anesthesia made him SUPER hyper and he ran around and played until he crashed, then he slept for most the day! My advise is to keep an eye on them and check their incision sites daily. Look for any angry redness, weeping, or open sutures at the spay incision site. If you notice any of these get to the vet. Also, if you notice any unusual lethargy (not caused by anesthesia wearing off), change in play, eating or litterbox habits, that's also a reason to get them to the vet.

The incision site looks okay... I think. There are more experienced cat persons living in my building. I'm going to ask them to take a look at the area just to make sure. They are not back to 100 as far as personality and habits yet. They still seem slightly dopey and... I could be imagining it but I think having their claws trimmed, Catnificence is not climbing things as well? I'm trying to keep her from climbing on anything but... when she was, I noticed she couldn't grip? Maybe it was just from the pain meds/drugs.