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Spaying
& Neutering
One decision every cat owner must face is whether to spay or neuter your cat. Unless you plan to breed your cat professionally, you and your cat will probably be happier together if he or she is neutered or spayed. Whether male or female, the operation is perfectly safe.
When and How?
A kitten should be neutered or spayed at about 6 months, before sexual maturity sets in.
You should not feed your cat at least 12 hours before the operation. If you do, the vet will not be operate as it is potentially dangerous.Female neutering is called "spaying" - during this operations the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus are removed through an incision made alongside the tummy. The operation requires a full anesthetic and the cat will usually recover quickly in a few days after the operation. She may be very drowsy after the operation and look quite ill, but this is to be expected and she should recover by the next day.
Male neutering is called "castration" - during castration both testicles are removed. This will be performed though very small incisions at the base of the scrotal sac and stitches are usually not necessary and the cat can go home the same day. You may find that the cat bleeds slightly and he should be discouraged from licking the area.Once your cat has been neutered or spayed, you should keep them somewhere warm and quiet and do not allow them to go out for 24 hours in case they pick up an infection. Offer them a light meal like white fish or chicken and fresh water.
If you are at all worried about your cat, then you should contact your vet for advice.