If you have a kitten, one of the decisions you have to make as a responsible pet owner is whether or not to have your pet spayed or neutered. For a female, the uterus and ovaries are removed through an incision in the abdomen. For a male, the testes are removed externally. We recommend performing these procedures between 5 and 6 months of age. There are multiple, sensible reasons to have your cat spayed or neutered by your veterinarian at Charlottesville Cat Care Clinic.
It Helps Control the Cat Population
Spaying or neutering at your Charlottesville cat veterinarian helps control the unwanted cat population. This is a real problem. Each year millions of feral and unwanted pet cats are born. Most of these kittens could potentially live a life of disease in the wild or one of mere existence in an overcrowded shelter. Sadly, many end up being euthanized. Spaying and neutering by responsible owners can limit this problem.
Spaying and Neutering Helps Prevent Diseases
Spaying a female kitten when she is five to six months old will significantly lower her risk for mammary cancer in the future. The procedure also rules out the potentially fatal infection in the uterus called pyometra. Other conditions in female cats that can be prevented include vaginal hyperplasia, uterine prolapse, and a variety of infections and cancers of the uterus and ovaries. Intimate contact with intact males (toms) also increases the likelihood of Feline Leukemia Virus or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. These are untreatable diseases.
For males, removal of the reproductive organs prevents the potential development of testicular cancer and severely limits the possibility of an enlarged prostate gland and potentially prostate cancer. Neutering reduces aggressive behavior and urine spraying to mark territory. Eliminating intimate contact with intact females and reducing fighting with other males reduces the likelihood of exposure to Feline Leukemia Virus or Feline Immunodeficiency virus.
The recovery period for spaying and neutering is generally about 7-10 days, after which, your kitten will seem the same as prior to surgery along with possible behavior improvements.
Make an Appointment at Charlottesville Cat Care Clinic
The best time to make a decision on kitten spaying or neutering is before your pet is six months old. We want to make sure appropriate vaccines are on board prior to surgery. We also recommend basic preanesthetic bloodwork to be sure your kitten will metabolize the anesthetics properly. Contact our Charlottesville cat veterinarian, Dr. Mahanes, at Charlottesville Cat Care Clinic. We specialize in cat care, including reproductive surgery. Call us today for an appointment. Our clean, modern clinic is located at 1901 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, VA.