Conference misery::feline_v1

First of all, you may not be able to bring her home from the vets the first 
night.  The vet may want to keep her 1 night for observation.  If that's the
case, then she will be completely out of the anesthesia by the time you pick her
up.  Her tummy may be a bit sore.  She will probably be ravenous. Hospital food
is never like home cookin' ;^) The incision will probably be about 2-3 inches 
long (maybe about 6 stitches?) (although I have seen one kitty that only had 
one stitch - looked like an outie belly-button).  Her tummy will be shaved.  She 
may try to remove her stitches as she heals.  She may be mad at you, but it 
will probably only last until you feed her.

Nymets will probably hate her since she will definitely smell funny.  It
shouldn't last very long.  His neutering will probably be a one-day affair - 
in in the morning, out in the afternoon. He will probably notice absolutely
nothing.  It's easier for boys - it's major surgery for girls.  You'll 
probably have the attitude adjustment in reverse when he comes home.

If you could have had them done at the same time, they could have recovered 
together and you wouldn't have had to deal with the potential love-hate wars. 
This is what I did with Josh and Becky.  When I had Hannah spayed this winter, 
Josh surprised me and just ignored her, just like he did before.  That is, until 
she started chewing on his face.

I hope this answers a few of your questions..

    A lot of the reaction depends on the individual cats involved.  None
    of our cats has ever gotten mad at cats that have been to the vet.
    For that matter, our dogs don't get mad either.  :-)  There's just
    a lot of sniffing each other when they get back, like "Hey, where've
    YOU been?"
    
    Tenzing came home the evening of her spay.  She seemed fine.  She was
    a little quieter than usual, but within a day or two she was jumping
    off furniture just like normal.  It took about a week or so before they
    took out the stiches.  I had another female once, who removed most of
    the stiches herself.  Scared the heck out of me, but she didn't hurt
    anything.
    
    As .1 said, the males are much easier.  A little wobbly (maybe) from
    the anesthesia, but neutering is such a simple operation they don't 
    seem to notice any difference at all.
    
    Cats recover much quicker than humans, and she should be her old self
    very quickly.
    
    Karen, Tristan, Tenzing and Max.

    If she does come home the same day, she may be quite wobbly -- it
    depends on when the operation was done during the day and
    consequently how long teh anesthesia has had to wear off.  In that
    case, prevent her from trying to leap up onto counters, etc.
    since she may miss and hurt herself (this may be a no-no for awhile after
    a spaying operation anyway -- does anyone remember?)
    
    The vet may tell you not to feed her the same day, in case she throws up.
    I believe she should have access to water, though.
    

    When I had Puddy done she was very quite afterwards. She was right
    off her food and water. This went on for about a week, by which
    time I was begining to get really worried so I took her to the vets.
    The vet told me she had an infection and she had to have loads of
    injections to make her better. When I got her home after all this
    she was fine. She bounded around like nothing had happened. 
    She had one stitch on her wound, and I must admit that this is the
    only type of stitching I have seen for this operation.
    
    If your cat is very quite and doesnt perk up in a day or so then
    take her to the vets straight away. I made the mistake of leaving
    it far to long and causing Puddy uncalled for illness.
    
    I hope that your cat is ok. It is rarely a problem op.
    
    
    DI

    We had both Tamba (male) and Poco (female) fixed on the same day
    and they both came home that night.  They were quite wobbly and
    really just wanted to sleep. I put their favorite afgan on the floor
    so they wouldn't have to jump on the couch and they both zonked
    right out.  Of course I cancelled all plans that night because
    I didn't want to leave them alone.  (I'm a wimp!!)
    
    Being the Mom I was a bit worried when I went to bed that night
    so when morning came...I was ready to get right up and go check
    on them....and lo and behold 1 kitty ran across my bed and the
    other one was chasing him.  Just about everything was back to normal. 
    
    As stated previously...the male was completely fine the next day
    and the female was okay but still slept quite a bit for a few days.
    Neither one was mad at me....
    
    Your kitty will do fine and all you need to do is stay calm. I was
    so nervous that day...I think the kitties handled it better then
    me.
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, and Barkley)                                    
                                                      
    
    

    Zildjian and Spunks are two years apart.
    
    When I had Zildjian spayed, she was really mad at me for the first day
    or so, then she wouldn't leave me alone.  She was starving when I
    brought her home (day after the operation).  She pigged out then gave
    herself a complete bath (always cleaning - you know the type?).  She
    slept most of the day thru the night.  I stayed out of work that day to
    watch her.  She took the stitches out herself - scared me but the vet
    said she did a good job!
    
    Spunks was completely different.  Adjusted very well when she got home
    (day after the operation), but Zildjian hissed, spat and stayed away
    from her for 2 days (her usual bi***y self).  Took Spunks back to have
    the stitches out.  She was the harder of the two to keep calm those 10
    days.
    
    Just be cautious of infection (area will be swollen, not eating,
    lethargic) - call the vet right away if this is suspected.
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Anna/Zildjian/Spunks
    

	We had our two sisters spayed at the same time, but each one reacted
	differently.  Jenny was quiet and subdued for a week or more - spent
	a lot of time snoozing or lying around.  Her incision healed perfectly.
	C.C., on the other hand, acted like nothing unusual had happened - 
	came home, played, ran, jumped, and at the end of the week, her 
	sutures were a mess!  We took her back to the vet, but they said she
	was ok - even though her scar would be a bit crooked - that's my
	girl, though! :^}

	Sandy, Smudge, Tas, Jenny, C.C. and Beau

    Spookie came thru her op well, she also removed her own stitches
    and the vet said that she had done a great job.
    
    The only think I would say is to try not to pick her up too much
    as she will be a little tender for 2-3 days, Spookie was.  Although
    she did sleep most of the time.
                                                              
    
    
    Tracy
    

    My personal feeling is that the cat should spend a night at the
    vet's after spaying.  The vet is far more qualified to tell if
    there's anything happening right after the surgery.  However,
    I know of plenty of kitties that came home the same day and
    did fine.
    
    Kittens seem to bounce back pretty quickly.  I compare this to
    Bumpy-tail who at the age of 10 had hernia surgery.  It took her
    a few days before she was back to normal.
    
    re: males - MUCh easier on them.  My personal belief there is that
    males should be neutered around 9 months UNLESS they are showing
    signs of maturity - spraying, aggressiveness, mounting - or they
    are outdoor cats or they are living with unneutered females. The
    presence of unneutered females can accelerate male maturity.
    
    Nancy

    Thanks to all of you for your input.  I just called the vet and she's
    ready to come home - she did stay overnight for observation.  Poor
    Nymets was a little lost soul while Sid has been gone.  He seemed to
    wander all over the house every hour or so looking for her making these
    heartbreaking crying noises.  It killed me to leave him alone at home
    this morning.  I'm anxious to see how he'll react when we get home.
    
    Well I'm off to pick my baby up but I wanted to thank all of you.  I'll
    let you know on Monday how the weekend went.
    
    Terry
    

    re:9
    
    I would rather bring the animal HOME - I never could see why
    they should spend the night in the vet's office, when ALL THE
    VETS GO HOME for the night and don't return until early morning.
    When I take them home, I'm right there to check on them every
     1/2 hour or so.  Never did make much sense to me.  I guess if
    it's a very ill animal, I don't know how they handle that.  But,
    after a simple spay or neuter, they are left alone to sleep, which
    most cats can do at home in their crates(carrier) and be fine in
    the morning.
    
    Just my 2 cents!
    
    E.T.

re: .11

One reason I don't mind (*too* much) leaving my girl-cats overnight after their 
spay is beacuse I have no place where I can keep them from jumping on anything.
I'd just as soon they not go leaping about with fresh stitches.  At least in the 
cage at the vet's, there's not a whole lot of damage they can do to themselves.

    On neutering - I dropped mine off the night before, as they
    are not allowed to eat/drink after 6:00pm the night before
    surgery.  It was easier on me & them as the other two didn't
    have to "starve" too.  I picked them up on the way home from
    work the day of surgery.  Other than their eyes all gooey from
    the wetting drops, (and a funny walk!!! haha)  they were back
    to their old themselves by the next day.  This surgery is out-patient
    style rather than the in-patient style for females.  They have
    to open up the female, (major surgery), but for the "guys", its
    two small incisions and snip, snip, done!  They do not even stitch
    the incisions, either!
    
    L-

    
    
    wanda went for spaying two weeks ago .. she went the night before and
    came back the next afternoon, i too feel they are much happier at home. 
    i didn't want her to think she'd been 'dropped off forever' in a
    strange and scary place.  anyway, she was fine when she got back. 
    rocky wasn't sure about the other animals he smelled on her, but he
    wasn't aggressive.  she mostly cuddled that night, but the next day,
    much to my chagrin, she was jumping up into the bathroom window, one of
    her favorite places.  the list the vet gave me included no jumping for
    10 days... oh well, i guess it's common for the little kitties to get
    back on their feet quickly.  maybe they don't feel as much pain because
    they aren't conditioned to think "operations ... you'll be miserable for
    a few weeks" like we are???  just a thought.  now, she's fine, she's
    out chasing firefly's every night and her scar looks very neat.  the
    stitches he used will disolve themselves.  
    
    do, how is li'l sidney?
    
    janice, rocky & wanda
    

    Hm. I always also wondered why the vets give the 'no jumping'
    instructions - what do they expect us to do with the cats -
    put them in an empty room with no window sills and no furniture?
    That's about the most unrealistic instruction I have ever had.
    I can understand the night they come home - I usually keep
    them in the carrier they come home in until about 10 or 11 pm.
    Then, if they are in the mood to come out for a drink of water,
    which is usually all they want, they will just curl up and sleep
    for the night.  The next day they just sort of mosey around and
    snack a bit and sleep a lot.  But, no jumping ! It's a good trick
    if you can make them no jump!!
    
    E.

    re: keeping them overnight - it depends on the vet.  In my case, the
    vet has his office in his house so he doesn't have to go home.
      N

My vet has overnight "sitters" who are there for any cats/dogs recovering
from surgery.  I leave mine overnight because it is easier on them to be in a 
confined area, away from the rest of the animals, until they are no longer
groggy.  Prevents accidents.  and they can stand up for themselves in the
Hissing wars that always happen when anyone goes to the vet and gets a
different smell.

    re: 17
    
    That's a nice thing - overnight sitters.  I'd never heard of that
    before!  The reason I always took mine home was that it didn't
    make much sense to leave them alone and unmonitored, where at
    home I could at least check on them VERY frequently - and if
    a problem arose, I could call the vet and get them back quickly.
    
    You must be very relived to know that someone is there checking
    on them !!
    
    E.

    Well I was right - it was worse on me than it was on Sid.  The vet
    brought her out to me and she was shaking like a leaf but as soon as I
    got her in the carrier and out to the car she was fine - just laid down
    and calmly waited 'til we got home.  Nymets sniffed her all over then
    immediately tried to wrestle with her, which she would have none of. 
    He got the message.  She went over and ate some Iams, used her litter
    box and then within an hour was jumping off the furniture and playing
    with her toys.  I couldn't believe it.  If you didn't know otherwise
    (and if her tummy wasn't shaved) you would never have known she had
    just had surgery.  The incision is real clean - you can't even tell
    which end he tied off on.  They're disolvable so she doesn't have to go
    back.  By Sunday she and Nymets were wrestling and ambushing each other
    like nothing ever happened.  Unbelievable.
    
    Thanks for all your advice.  I do appreciate it.  I knew what to be on
    the lookout for and you guys were really sympathetic about how I felt. 
    There were certain members of my family who thought I was an idiot
    because I stayed out of work after I picked her up to stay with her and
    make sure she was okay.  
    
    The total cost was $59 = $25 for the surgery, $21 for the anesthesia
    and $13 for the hospital stay.  I didn't think that was bad.  Plus I
    get $10 back from the Humane Society so it came to $49 out of my
    pocket.
    
    Thanks again!
    
    Terry
    

    $59 is a fantastic price for a spay!!

    Regional differences I guess, but I think $59 is high for a spay.
    We only pay $32.50, but then my vet charges less for spaying and
    neutering in an effort to encourage folks to do it.  My 90 lb Bernese
    Mt. Dog only cost $80.00!
    
    Jo

    Must be regional differences - I know I've said that S.Shore vet
    assoc which is the next town over from mine charges a minimum
    or $100 for a spay (cat).  
      N

    It seem like ages ago we had Holly-kitty done.  Since we wern't allowed
    to feed her for whatever number of hours, I couldn't stand seeing this
    pathetic face begging, so we dropped her off the night before for
    boarding.  This one had trained staff on 24 hours/day, not just
    sitters.  She was declawed and spayed at the same time.  Because this
    vet uses a method of declawing which is much less tramatic we had to
    leave her an extra day or two (I can't remember, it's been 7 years). 
    Their method is to sugically open each claw and remove them gently and
    use pressure bandages instead of stiches to control bleeding.  
    
    When she got home she was still woozey. I remember she curled up on the
    couch beside me, rolled over on her back with the paws up in front and
    slept until we turned in for the night.  This has become one of her
    most favorite postions. (Someone told me this position is an indication
    the cat is completely at ease with you) and she never knew she had claws
    to start with, let alone missing them.  She was up and playing by the
    next morning.  She still can "defend" herself and uses her teeth and back 
    claws quite well!  The other good thing is that she's such a coward she's 
    afraid of anything outside the front door, won't even step a foot outside. 
    When we lived in the condo, we had an inside hallway, she was afraid to 
    even step foot outside of our door onto the hall carpet then!
    
    Good Luck!!
    Lyn
    

    Anyone out there know how I can get a certificate for
    spaying/neutering?  Years ago I used Friends of Animals, but more
    recently there was some talk about some humane society.  We are in
    Cental Mass, so advice is welcome Since we've just aquired a new addition 
    to our four legged family (thanks Robin, still not sure if its a He or She) 
    Bandit, who is 10-12 weeks, is adapting well, but still find some hostility
    from older sister Holly who is 7.5 years.  Seems *not* to have any patience
    from this youg'un!  BTW, what is the minimum age for spaying/neutering and 
    declawing?
    
    ThanX!
    Lyn 
    (proud mom of a four legged birthday present!!)

    stop by my office and I'll give you one...pole h4......Michele

    You cannot use any of the low cost certificates if you are having
    your cat declawed.  They specifically state that "anyone who can
    afford this costly and unnecessary operation " does not need 
    financial assistance.  Not my rule.
    
    re: ages for neutering.  Females are usually done at 6 months,
    males anywhere from 6-9 months depending on the vet and the
    circumstances.  Dundee was neutered at 9 months and even at that
    age was showing no overt male behavior.
      Nancy

>    re: ages for neutering.  Females are usually done at 6 months,
>    males anywhere from 6-9 months depending on the vet and the
>    circumstances.  Dundee was neutered at 9 months and even at that
>    age was showing no overt male behavior.

True, however, an individual cat can become "reproductive" anytime after
approx. 4 - 5 months - cats are much like people in that respect...noone
can predict exactly when the change will occur for your particular
kitten.  It is important, therefore, to keep the kitten indoors-only..
at least until spaying or neutering occurs.  There are far too many
unwanted kittens already in the shelters, and "just one litter" does
hurt.

    re -.1
    
    good points - if we had had any intact females in the house at the
    time, Dundee would have been prevented from any uncontrolled mating. 
    As it was, with the three spayed females, he was just one of the gang.
    (it's hard to remember what having only four cats was like....)
    
    Thanks for reiterating your points. I agree - there are far too many
    unwanted animals being destroyed every day, and if we can educate
    more of the folks that don't know this, and their unknowingly
    contributing to the problem, we'll be on the road to solving it.
    
    jack
    

    The presence of intact females can accelerate the development of
    a male.  I suspect this has something to do with why Dundee hadn't
    figured out that he was a boy at 9 months.
    
    There IS a very good reason  for waiting until 9 months in a situation
    where there is no chance for the cat to breed.  Many vets feel that
    neutering before the male "equipment" has reached its mature size
    can increase the chances of FUS in a cat.  That was my vet's belief
    and we had no reason not to follow that.  
    
    Clearly, if the cat is indoor/outdoor, has access to intact females, or
    is demonstrating male behaviors (spraying, aggression, mounting) then 
    that cat needs to be neutered earlier than 9 months.
    
      Nancy DC

    Re: .29

>   There IS a very good reason for waiting until 9 months in a situation
>   where there is no chance for the cat to breed.  Many vets feel that
>   neutering before the male "equipment" has reached its mature size
>   can increase the chances of FUS in a cat.  

    There was an article in Pet Health News about 2 years ago about an 
    experimental program to help control animal overpopulation. In the 
    program, puppies and kittens in a shelter were spayed and neutered 
    at the tender age of 8 weeks, before they were adopted out. I 
    mentioned this article to my vet and asked him about the increased 
    possibility of FUS. He told me it was a myth that was disproved 20 
    years ago. At that time, he said, a study was done where some male 
    kittens were neutered at a very early age, then killed (sorry!) at 
    varying ages (6 months, 7 mos., etc.). They were examined and 
    measured to see if the "male equipment" was affected by the early 
    neutering. It was not. He said the reason vets want to wait until 
    the cat is older (6 months) before neutering is that the "parts" on 
    a tiny kitten are also tiny and make it harder to do the operation. 

    Early sterilization is also discussed in a more recent article in 
    Cat Fancy (Finding New Solutions; April, 1989; p. 18). Most of the 
    information comes from Bob E. Lee, director of the Memphis Humane 
    Society and the president of the National Animal Control Assoc.; he 
    heads a pilot program for early sterilization.

    The article states, "the castration of a cat at an early age does 
    not predispose the animal to feline urological syndrome." Some of 
    the advantages listed were: easier and quicker recovery from surgery 
    for the animal, and less time and effort spent by the surgeon (which 
    would seem to contradict what my vet said). Other reasons, which apply
    more to cats in shelters: the new owner can't put off or "forget" to 
    have their pet spayed/neutered; the shelter doesn't have to send out 
    reminders and check up on the new owner (at least, not for that reason). 
    Early sterilization of adoptable animals increases the number of animals 
    adopted, resulting in a decrease of the number euthanized -- a 68% 
    decrease was found at the Medford (no state given) SPCA, according to a 
    study done from 1973 to 1979. That's significant!

    Linda

    
    
    	There is also an article in this month's Pet Health News
    	about an injection given to the males which nueters them, 
    	ands can be given as early as four months. It would be a 
    	Godsend to shelters...They do not have enough funding right
    	now to do enough testing to get FDA approval....
    
    	Sherry
    

	Both my cats were castrated at 5 months old, the vet said that
	the rule he used was not by age, as cats develop at different
	speeds, but "if he can find them, he can cut them off".

	This seems to support the above  ie you can castrate them at a young 
	age, IF they are developed enough.

	Heather

    interesting.  The vet who told me about waiting til 9 months is
    fairly young and usually very up to date.  I'm surprized that he
    still agrees with the "myth".  Oh well, I guess vets are entitled
    to their own opinions, eh?
    
    Anyway - whatever you do, be sure the cat is neutered  before it
    has a chance to contribute to the population.
      Nancy

    Nymets was dropped off at the vet this morning to be neutered.  I think
    he knew something was up when the other guys got their IAMS this
    morning and he didn't.  He didn't like the ride in the car, either.  In
    fact, it looked to me like he was panting a couple of times.  Is this
    due to him being stressed or because he hadn't any food or water since
    last night or a combination of both?  I've never seen a cat do this
    before, in fact he looked just like a dog.  He was fine once we got
    into the vet's office - it was just while we were in the car.
    
    Your comments are appreciated.
    
    T
    
    

    Yes, cats pant when they are stressed out.
    

    He will be just fine.  He'll probably hardly even notice :-)
    

    I've just booked Rolf in to be neutered. The lady on the 'phone 
    asked me how old he was and when I said 5 months tomorrow, she 
    said - *WHAT* THAT SOUNDS VERY YOUNG TO ME, ARE YOU SURE?
    The vet saw him last week and commented on the fact that he was
    "obviously" ready to be done, so what I'm asking is, is 5 months
    too young? He is already starting to attack Pookie in a very
    ungentlemanly fashion!
    
    
    Lisa plus Pookie and Rolf (soon to weigh a little "bit" less ;-)
    
    

    IMHO your vet is the best judge of when he's ready.

    Lisa, if your Pookie is like her Colony namesake.. I am sure
    you can expect a "visit" from the "solicitor".. heh-heh..
    Kate

    Kate,
    
    Hmmmm. Pookie just "swipes" at him with her paw - claws in of course!
    It makes this sort of hollow thud noise when she bops him on the
    head ;-) Don't think he's all that clever cos he always comes back for
    more!! I don't think she's likely to call the solicitor, but I'll
    pass on the suggestion!
    
    
    Lisa plus Pookie and Rolf (complete, but not for long!)
    

    Well, Purrkins goes into the vet on Thur for his neutering.  We have
    been gone for the past two weeks on vacation putting in over 2400 miles
    on the motor home thru Wyoming and Montana.  Purrkins began to show a
    great deal on interest in his growing "accessories" plus pouncing on
    spayed Cassandra and Neutered Peaches. They didn't appreciate the
    attention.  Thank goodness Purrkins didn't start any "spraying".
    His growth during the past two weeks have been incredible.  When we
    left, he could get under the end of the sofa in the motor home and
    by the time we got back, he can't even fit his head in, let alone his
    whole body.
    
    Chuck, Jane, Peaches, Cassandra and Purrkins (Purrky-Purrk)