Terrified To Get My Cat Spayed

[angiekisa]

Hello! My female cat is 2,5 years old and I didn’t think about getting her spayed cause I didn’t know what benefits that would have since she’s an indoors cat and the only cat we had. We got a male cat not too long ago and she got pregnant. The only kitten she had was stillborn, and I was extremely worried throughout the whole pregnancy. I’m a very worrisome person, and I couldn’t eat or sleep and cried for days cause I thought she would be ill. She’s completely fine and I worried for nothing. But because I don’t ever want to experience this kind of worry again I really feel the need to get either her or the male cat spayed/neutered. But the thing is, I’m terrified.

First of all, the least important worry is that I can’t afford a bunch of different procedures at the vet since I’m paying for it all alone so if something were to go wrong that would not be good for my economy as I just lost my job, I would make it work regardless but it’s far from ideal. Second, and most important, I’m so scared that she would die or become seriously sick during the procedure. So terrified that I’ve cried thinking about it. I love my cat more than life and I just wish my mother would’ve had this done when we got her. I have never known much about cats but because she got pregnant I’ve done a lot of research and now I worry about every little thing about her health. Should I get her spayed when I’m this scared or should I get my male cat spayed first and get her spayed when I feel more sure? Or should I just do it and hope for the best? Honestly, this is making me panic so much. I can’t live without my cat, I really can’t.

Sorry for being a mess.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. So sorry you have the added stress of losing your job. But, you shouldn't be terrified of spaying - or neutering!! But, given money and your fears, as well as the fact they are both indoors only, you could get your male cat neutered first. Your girl will, however, still go into heat, but the male can't do anything about it, so to speak.

The only benefit to getting them both spayed/neutered at the same time is avoiding the possibility of multiple reintroductions - one for when the male gets neutered and comes back home smelling differently, second for when the female gets spayed. But, also remember when you get one or both fixed they should be separated for a while, especially when the female is spayed as that usually takes a bit more recovery time.

 

[Willowy]

We all worry about our kitties having surgery! It's really a very safe and routine procedure. Do you have a reliable vet already? If so, go talk to him/her about it, and discuss risks and benefits and what precautions they take, etc. If you don't have a good vet yet, look up the reviews on the vets in your area, try to find a good one, then go talk to them about all of that. It would also be helpful to do bloodwork before surgery, if only to help yourself feel better.

How long ago was the stillbirth? Do you have her and the male separated now? She can go into heat again at any time, and I'm sure you don't want to do that all over again!

How old is the male? Many tomcats spray to mark their territory, so you definitely want to get him neutered soon. Is it possible to have both of them done at the same time? That would probably be best so they can both be recuperating and he'd be less likely to annoy her after surgery.

If it's not possible to do both right now, I'd say that it's best to have her done first, because she absolutely can't get pregnant after being spayed, whereas a male can remain fertile for a few weeks after neutering (sneaky sperm hiding in the tubes). So even if you had him done now, she could still get pregnant.

 

[angiekisa]

Thanks for your reply! The thing is I can’t afford a bunch of extra procedures right now in the middle of the month. Since getting her spayed costs more, I can only afford the actual spaying. Maybe I should wait then til I can properly afford it and get him spayed first to get it over with? She gave birth just last week and she’s already in heat again, and so is he. Very frustrating...

We all worry about our kitties having surgery! It's really a very safe and routine procedure. Do you have a reliable vet already? If so, go talk to him/her about it, and discuss risks and benefits and what precautions they take, etc. If you don't have a good vet yet, look up the reviews on the vets in your area, try to find a good one, then go talk to them about all of that. It would also be helpful to do bloodwork before surgery, if only to help yourself feel better.

How long ago was the stillbirth? Do you have her and the male separated now? She can go into heat again at any time, and I'm sure you don't want to do that all over again!

How old is the male? Many tomcats spray to mark their territory, so you definitely want to get him neutered soon. Is it possible to have both of them done at the same time? That would probably be best so they can both be recuperating and he'd be less likely to annoy her after surgery.

If it's not possible to do both right now, I'd say that it's best to have her done first, because she absolutely can't get pregnant after being spayed, whereas a male can remain fertile for a few weeks after neutering (sneaky sperm hiding in the tubes). So even if you had him done now, she could still get pregnant.

 

[angiekisa]

Hi. So sorry you have the added stress of losing your job. But, you shouldn't be terrified of spaying - or neutering!! But, given money and your fears, as well as the fact they are both indoors only, you could get your male cat neutered first. Your girl will, however, still go into heat, but the male can't do anything about it, so to speak.

The only benefit to getting them both spayed/neutered at the same time is avoiding the possibility of multiple reintroductions - one for when the male gets neutered and comes back home smelling differently, second for when the female gets spayed. But, also remember when you get one or both fixed they should be separated for a while, especially when the female is spayed as that usually takes a bit more recovery time.

Thank you! I will probably not be able to get them both fixed at the same time until I have a job and I want this to be done as soon as possible as they’re both in heat right now. I might get him neutered now then, and next month get a blood test so I know she’s perfectly healthy and get her spayed as well. But I have a feeling I will be almost equally as terrified then, but maybe less so because the blood test will calm me a bit.

 

[FeebysOwner]

a male can remain fertile for a few weeks after neutering (sneaky sperm hiding in the tubes).

Just keep in mind what W Willowy said, if you get him neutered first, ask the vet about how long he might remain 'fertile' and then keep them away from each, ideally until you have her spayed.

 

[angiekisa]

Just keep in mind what W Willowy said, if you get him neutered first, ask the vet about how long he might remain 'fertile' and then keep them away from each, ideally until you have her spayed.

That is gonna be really hard as they’re pretty much obsessed with each other but I have this past week and half so I guess I’ll just have to continue. I’m honestly also really scared that my female cat will become ill if she doesn’t get spayed soon, but I’m hoping a few months won’t make a difference...? I think I’ll plan to get her spayed 2 months after him.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Here are a couple of articles about neutering and spaying. Maybe they will help reduce your fears, and answer some of your questions/concerns.

Getting Your Cat Neutered or Spayed - Own Cats
Getting Your Cat Spayed or Neutered « Cat Be Good

Btw, some of the obsession with each other is because they have NOT been neutered and spayed!!

 

[amethyst]

Are you in the US? If so there might be low cost or free spay and neuter clinics near by you can get them fixed at. I also know if you have an SPCA or similar rescue they can sometimes help with discounted spay and neuter vouchers.

Only females go into heat, males are ready to mate anytime there is a female in heat 24/7 365 days a year once they hit puberty. If you can only get one done, and you can keep them separate for a few weeks while he heals and all the sperm dies off, then get the male done first. If you are planing to do the male now, and the female next month I would just keep them separate until the female has recovered from her spay as well. If she is only 2 and a half then a couple months wont make a big difference, a couple years could though.

I'm not really sure what extra procedures you are thinking about. In most cases when getting a female spayed is just the spay, then recovery at home for a 10 days or so. Males it's pretty much the same, neuter then about a week of healing.

 

[kashmir64]

Where do you live? We can help you find a low cost spay/neuter clinic.

 

[angiekisa]

Are you in the US? If so there might be low cost or free spay and neuter clinics near by you can get them fixed at. I also know if you have an SPCA or similar rescue they can sometimes help with discounted spay and neuter vouchers.

Only females go into heat, males are ready to mate anytime there is a female in heat 24/7 365 days a year once they hit puberty. If you can only get one done, and you can keep them separate for a few weeks while he heals and all the sperm dies off, then get the male done first. If you are planing to do the male now, and the female next month I would just keep them separate until the female has recovered from her spay as well. If she is only 2 and a half then a couple months wont make a big difference, a couple years could though.

I'm not really sure what extra procedures you are thinking about. In most cases when getting a female spayed is just the spay, then recovery at home for a 10 days or so. Males it's pretty much the same, neuter then about a week of healing.

I actually live in Sweden.

It’s just that my male cat has been extremely horny the past month or 2 and walked around screaming at night and trying to jump on her even when she wasn’t in heat. I wonder if that would stop if he got fixed.

The procedures I mean is really just a blood test or a general examination to make sure she’s perfectly healthy before the actual operation as I’m terrified she wouldn’t wake up or get sick. I can’t afford that right now, only the actual spaying on its own but I’m too scared to just hope for the best. My female cat is also very naturally small and that worries me, maybe she won’t be strong enough to wake up from the anasthesia. She honestly kind of looks a like a kitten still.

 

[Kieka]

I would start with your boy. The procedure is usually less expensive, less complicated and easier to heal from. Him going through his surgery safely and smoothly will probably help with your anxiety about your girl. Plus, with how aggressive he is already it would probably be better for the peace of your home too.

As to what happens, usually blood work before to ensure health is wise. Along with a physical exam to make sure they don't have any health concerns. Most cats will only be under for a very short time during the procedure. Females have a more invasive procedure, while males have a quick snip (to simplify it some). Follow your vets after care instructions and they will heal up just fine. Complications are possible, but they are rare. Younger and healthier cats always do better with procedures so putting it off isn't beneficial.

You do want to get your female spayed because females have a high risk of major problems unspayed; problems that can cost thousands to fix in an emergency but would have been prevented with the spay.

 

[Willowy]

I think having the conversation with the vet would help set your mind at ease. A good surgical center can handle almost any situation.

Yes, the tomcat behaviors should stop once he's neutered, and after he's had some time to get the hormones out of his system. I'd have him neutered right away. Don't let him near her for at least 2 weeks after the neuter, and ask the vet if it should be longer than that. By then he should be a lot calmer and not as inclined to jump on her.

It's my understanding that Sweden has a pretty good animal welfare system. Ask the vets and animal rescues in the area if they know of any lower-cost programs that can help you out. A neuter is pretty minor compared to a spay, so even if you want to have her done by a surgical specialist, the male can be done by a low-cost clinic and that could save you a lot of money to put toward her procedure.

 

[angiekisa]

I would start with your boy. The procedure is usually less expensive, less complicated and easier to heal from. Him going through his surgery safely and smoothly will probably help with your anxiety about your girl. Plus, with how aggressive he is already it would probably be better for the peace of your home too.

Thank you! I think I’ll get him fixed before her to ease my mind a bit like you say and because he’s getting on my nerves so much right now. And then get her fixed in a few months and have a blood test to be safe.

 

[angiekisa]

I think having the conversation with the vet would help set your mind at ease. A good surgical center can handle almost any situation.

Yes, the tomcat behaviors should stop once he's neutered, and after he's had some time to get the hormones out of his system. I'd have him neutered right away. Don't let him near her for at least 2 weeks after the neuter, and ask the vet if it should be longer than that. By then he should be a lot calmer and not as inclined to jump on her.

It's my understanding that Sweden has a pretty good animal welfare system. Ask the vets and animal rescues in the area if they know of any lower-cost programs that can help you out. A neuter is pretty minor compared to a spay, so even if you want to have her done by a surgical specialist, the male can be done by a low-cost clinic and that could save you a lot of money to put toward her procedure.

Thank you so much for your reply! I will look into that and try to get him fixed as soon as possible now. The clinic I talked to had good reviews online and I talked to one of the vets briefly on the phone and she seemed very nice and understanding so I’ll make sure to talk to them about all of my concerns. Their prices were also the best in my area.

 

[LittleShadow]

I volunteered in the recovery room whenever I brought my ferals in to be fixed, and even with a high volume of cats being fixed one after another, there were never any complications any time I was there, if that helps ease your mind. It is a surgery that is very routine for vets, and they really do have a pretty good handle on it. Not one of my colony ever had any complications, nor had any of the other cats from any of the other colonies belonging to the other volunteers. Even the very, very rare calico that had to be spayed AND neutered recovered just fine, the poor thing! (Calicos are almost exclusively female, due to the necessity of having to X chromosomes to be calico. This poor baby was a very rare XXY, so they were calico patterned but had some very confused parts down there.....)

Your cats really will be happier and healthier once they are fixed, though I know it seems very scary. My feral girls ended up at healthier weights, with healthier looking coats, after being fixed, and my boys ended up much better off with their reduced fighting and increased social acceptance in the colony after their neuters. It's fine to be nervous, and like others have said, talking to a vet might help reassure you. I have personally seen hundreds of cats be fixed and come through the surgery just fine. You'll be doing the responsible thing by getting them fixed.

 

[Q2U]

Over the past year I have spayed or neutered 11 feral cats which live in the woods behind my house. They each had their operation, and all were released within days into the dirty, bacteria ridden, dangerous wild. I worried myself sick over them, but today they are all still with us, and in fact they all look considerably healthier than the day they had their operations. Find that low-cost spay and neuter clinic and get your girl fixed. If those feral cats can thrive out there in the wild, imagine how well your pampered inside cat-girl will do!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Well, the culture is very different there in regards to how spay/neuter is viewed. Find a sympathetic vet. Yes, due to money constraints, have your male take care of first, remembering that he will be able to father kittens for a period of time following the surgery. Then save to have your little girl done.

I know how terrifying the idea of surgery can be, but both neutering and spaying are almost always very basic, straightforward procedures, and there are seldom any serious complications (although those can happen with any surgery). And do keep in mind that spaying your baby girl drastically reduces her chances of mammary cancer later in life, and totally gets rid of the chance of female organ cancers! Plus, repeated heats are just hard on their systems. She'll be a much more settled, happy girl after she recovers.

 

[jen]

You have already received a lot of great advice, but I really will stress that she is at more health risk living with an intact male and constantly mating and having litters. Or even if you manage to separate them and she doesn't get pregnant, Pyometra which females can get if left intact, is WAY more life threatening.

When was it that she went through this pregnancy and still birth? If the two are together there is a really big possibility she is pregnant again right now. Which not to freak you out, but this is much more of a health risk then a routine spay surgery. So please get one of them fixed asap. If the male has not started spraying urine everywhere be aware that he might do that too if left intact.

 

[Maria Bayote]

Are there no government-run vet facilities at your place? Usually they are more cheaper, if not free, than private vets.

As per others' advice, I kindly suggest to have the male fixed first.

Stop worrying. It is a safe procedure.