Well, Bonnie and Clyde, the two adorable kittens we adopted a month and a half ago are now apparently old enough to get fixed (so sayeth the shelter-- even though they are only 12 weeks). We have a voucher to do it at the shelter where we adopted them. I am very worried though about the anesthetic. I have read all kinds of crazy stuff on the internet about how dangerous it is for some kitties. I will just be devestated if anything happens to either of them. Now obviously, we are going to get them fixed-- there is no alternative. I just wondered if anyone could put my mind to ease about the safety of this procedure. Also, these guys were shelter kitties-- do you think they will think we are abandoning them there? They are like our babies and I don't want them to feel afraid at all. Thanks!
Answers:
It is not possible to test for an 'allergy' to an anesthetic drug. The preoperative testing is to check the liver, kidneys, blood sugar and protein levels, etc. and to rule out anemia and make sure the white blood cell count is normal prior to surgery, to minimize risks. This is important in any age cat, as congenital liver and kidney problems do occur, and can't be detected by physical examination alone.
Normal results do not guarantee that there might not be an anesthetic problem, but greatly reduces the risk. (Assuming they have already been tested for FeLV/FIV and intestinal parasites..which should ALWAYS be done first.) No one can ever *promise* you that they won't have complications, and you don't want anyone to do that anyway..because it seems like that's exactly when complications are going to happen. (Murphy's Law)
In the rare event a young, otherwise apparently healthy cat would die under anesthesia (which is unrelated to the dose), it's almost always due to a congenital heart problem called cardiomyopathy. This can occasionally be picked up by a preanesthetic EKG, but the vast majority have normal EKGs and do not have heart murmurs (although a murmur would make us really suspicious, obviously.) The only foolproof method of ruling it out prior to anesthesia is by echocardiogram.which is an ultrasound of the heart. ($$$, so it's not practical to do it on routine cases. If money is no object, however, ask for it to be done.which will often mean referral to a facility equipped and trained to do it.) We see it more than we used to, but it's still a very rare event. More problems are related to spaying/neutering FeLV/FIV-positive cats, because the owner was too cheap to have the test done and we didn't know the kitten had it until after the kitten had problems during the weeks after surgery.
Clyde's anesthesia is likely to be a single IV injection of a very safe, very short-acting drug..since his surgery is much less involved. They are asleep for only about 5 minutes (and it's not even as deep a sleep as what Bonnie will need)..and are usually up moving around the cage less than 30 minutes after the surgery if over. By the time they go home later in the afternoon, you can't even tell they had anything done. (They are asleep for this and don't remember what happened when they wake up..which we know from humans given the same drugs. I think the vet's mom who answered above probably misunderstood her daughter, and is thinking of drugs which are no longer used.)
Bonnie's surgery involves the opening of her abdomen (to remove her uterus and ovaries.) She'll most likely get an injection to make her go to sleep, then be maintained on a very safe inhalant (gas) anesthetic and oxygen. Isofluourane and sevofluorane (better than iso, but more $$) have been the only gases used in virtually all of the U.S. for the past 10-12 years. (I know of no one who even has a halothane or metofane system anymore.) These are the same gases given to premature human infants for surgery. We use them for surgery on canaries. They are THAT safe. Her recovery from that will be a little slower, and she'll still be a bit woozy in the afternoon, which is why many DVMs keep them overnight.
3 months of age is old enough for the surgery (no matter which country you're in), assuming the shelter has aged them correctly. (At 3 months, they should weigh at least 3 pounds, and lost the middle 2 of their incisor teeth.)
I would not hesitate to have Clyde's surgery performed at the shelter, but you need to ask questions about Bonnie's. Some facilities cut costs by cutting corners. Ask if the surgeon wears full surgical garb, or just gloves. Ask if she will be monitored by EKG, pulse oximetry, a dedicated (trained) technician, and if they use an internally heated table to prevent hypothermia. Private practices also usually provide the patients additional pain relief medication for when the anesthesia wears off, so that the recovery is easier on them. Shelters often don't (again, that pesky money thing.) A spay is not a spay is not a spay! They are different prices at different facilities for a reason. If you are that worried about them, you might consider having a private practice do the surgery rather than the shelter..where it's often done "assembly-line" fashion, because they have so many they have to get done in a day. A private practice normally does fewer per day (I don't know of ANY private practice that does only one or two a week, however!), and has a technician specifically dedicated to patient recovery, whereas shelters are often understaffed because they are underfunded. These are generalizations only.I know of many shelters who do great jobs, but they ARE (sadly) limited by finances. I have volunteered to perform spays and neuters at such shelters, and it's aggravating to be forced to cut corners to stay within their budget. It's one thing if it's a stray or feral cat, and we just want it spayed or neutered before release. For them, it's often a matter of either spay/neuter as cheaply as possible, or have to be euthanized..so we get them done. It's quite another thing if it's someone's beloved pet, who will mourn it forever if anything goes wrong. Private practices charge more because they have more overhead for equipment and staff, and are less prone to "cut corners"..but that sometimes happens there, too. Ask questions.
Wherever you decide to have the surgery performed, please consider donating an extra $50 to the shelter (after addressing Bonnie and Clyde's routine healthcare needs), even though you have the vouchers..they need it, and will put it to good use.
Vets can perform a test to see if your kitty is allergic to the anesthetic. It costs additional money. I didn't get that test for my cats and they were fine. Most cats aren't allergic to it, but a few are. It's up to you.
In the UK, it is recommended that you don't 'fix' a kitten until it is 6 months old.
Both operations are very routine, and take very little time, so the amount of anaesthetic they receive is negligible.
They might be sad when you leave them, but they'll be thrilled when you collect them again.
You're doing completely the right thing, getting them done. Don't worry about it too much (although I must admit feeling terribly guilty about having my 'babies' done).
Hey, I understand where you are coming from. I adopted four kittens in July. Two I was fortunate enough to adopt out to a wonderful family and the other two kittens (both females) I kept. I also have two adult cats. So now back to your question.
My two kitties are 3 months old. My vet and other cat lovers/experts have told me that you can wait until they are 4 months old. As far as getting it done at the animal shelter where you adopted them from, I personally would not feel comfortable have them spayed/neutered there. If you are so worried, why don't you just take them to a qualified vet. Get recommendations in your area for good ones from friends, neighbors, etc. The anaesthesia they use is only to keep them asleep while they do the surgery. They wake up kind of wobbly, their heads kind of bob up and down, but they wake up about 2 to 3 hours after the surgery, maybe even sooner. I would suggest you call a qualified vet to put your mind at ease. As I said, you can also wait until they are 4 months old. Totally I feel and understand you because I would feel the same way.
Best wishes with your kitties!!
As technology progresses, the US has started altering puppies and kittens at younger ages. This is a very good thing to do. Some cats can come into their first heat at 3 months of age, it has happened before though it is very rare. Altering them early is good, it prevents "accidents."
Spay/nueters are routine. Thousands of them are done a day, maybe even millions. But just as you always remember bad days more than good days, the stories of the very few things that go wrong get blown out of proportion. The vet at the shelter isn't a hack, he's not going to use rusty scissors or anything like that. Animals are carefully monitored, just like people, when they are under anesthesia. Rest your worries, your kitties will be just fine. :)
I think 12 weeks is to young myself. Vets never use to spay and neuter until they were more like 9 months old. I guess they've made the surgery safer over the years. It is scary. It's scary when anyone goes into surgery, pet or family member. Make sure you see the best vet around and get alot of recommendations. All are kitties are fixed and we had no problems. We've had about 14 cats over my lifetime and they were all fixed and we never had any problems. Talk to your vet about your fears. If he or she is not reassuring, find another one. I consider my pets my babies too and if the vet isn't kind and understanding, forget them! Also, no one I have ever known has lost a pet from spaying/neutering. Don't go by what the internet says, alot of that is just hype. They may be talking about anetheshia for elderly or sick cats which can be dangerous just like humans. Good luck with Bonnie and Clyde (cute names). Don't worry. Just talk to your vet and make sure 12 weeks isn't too young. I, personally, would put it off for a couple of more months.
Losing a cat to anesthetic is rare, but does sometimes happen, just like us humans. Since they are getting fixed at the shelter they should be in good hands, since shelters are over flowing with animals. Your kittens will probley remeber the shelter and will be so excited to see you when you pick them up. Unfotnatly anywhere you leave a pet that is not home seems like your leaving them. Don't worry they'll forgive you!!
Call your vet! You do want both fixed before they are 6 months old. This is when they reach physical maturity and can get pregnant or get another pregnant. However, my vet never neuters a male prior to about 4 months because of the urinary problems this can cause in males. Females you want fixed prior to their first time to be in heat. This should happen around 5 months according to my vet.
Both are given anesthetic for the procedure. The male procedure is quite simple and minimally invasive and should not require stitches. The female procedure is quite invasive and does require stitches. The older the kitty is, the less dangerous it is.
Call one of your local rescue groups (not the shelter) for referral to a good vet who charges less for the surgery and immunizations for rescued animals. Also, if you got these babies from a government sponsored shelter, part of the adoption fee you paid is for the spaying/neutering and immunization cost.
Good luck with your new family members.
i just adopted a kitten, he is a boy. i got him fixed at the shelter and he is fine. really in the long run its good that you are doing that. there are too many cats having kittens and no homes for many of them. and some people just through them in the street. the last cat i had was a stray. he became my best friend would go for walks with me like a dog. i took him to a vet and come to find out he was FIV positive, had Leukima, and gingavities. I had to put him down 8 months later. all this because he wasn't fixed and given his shots by the person that dumped him. since you love bonnie and clyde as much as i love my new guy harley.you will do the right thing and get them fixed and let them get their shots. oh by the way.my vet had mentioned to me once that anesthetics has negative affects on animals that are dealing with severe illnesses such as i described to you about the stray that found me.
hope this helps ease your worries. good luck
The shelter is correct regarding the timing. Use your vouchers and have your little ones spayed/neutered. FIRST, HOWEVER, make sure they're doing more than just using a paralytic shot on them so they can't move - WHEN USED ALONE, the animals can feel absolutely everything that is done to them. If the shelter only paralyzes them (and tries to tell you it won't bother them), run as fast as you can to a humane veterinarian. The procedure will traumatize the poor little ones and it's not worth the extra money you will have to pay for the surgery. There are usually low-cost spay/neuter clinics in most areas. But please, don't let just a paralytic be used. Not worth it.
An extrememly small percentage are lost under anesthesia and I would not worry about it. Also early spay/neuter has been studied for over then years by the Winn Feline Foundation and no adverse effects were found for the cats.
If you had to have heart surgery you would want to be with a hospital and doctor which did a high number of these procedures and that's what you get in shelters. An individual vet might do one once a week or twice a month.
The kittens will have no feelings of "abandonment" with your taking them in for their surgeries. Hopefully they can be caged together and if that's not possible they will be reunited so soon in your home that it will have no lasting effect on them.
You will be surprised at how quickly B %26 C are bouncing around and totally their former selves.
A competent vet will ususally examine the cat prior to administering any kind of anesthetic. When the cat is very young, blood tests aren't usually necessary - such as what would be if the cat were 7+. However, the vet will listen carefully to the kitten's heart - listening for any suspicious heart murmur. Even then, if the surgery is necessary to save cat's life, they will go ahead with the safest gas anethetic (Isuflurane - expensive) and monitor the cat's vitals every second of the procedure. But spaying and neutering are now so common-place a procedure and can be done in mobile clinics parked off the street! The procedure takes only a few minutes nd the cats are under general anesthesia only for a very short time.
To ease your mind, ask the vet to test your kitties for general suitability to go under anesthesia. I asked my vet to do a cardiograph and a blood test before I allowed my 8-year old to be anestetize for a dental procedure. I also specifically asked the vet to use Isoflurane - but it costs about double the other kind (which I hear is also quite safe).
use anesthetic how would u feel without anesthetic if u were getting fixed
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