Why Should Female Cats Be Spayed?
Why Should Female Cats Be Spayed?
Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)
If you want to stop your cat's heat cycle and put an end to its constant meowing sounds and unusual behavior, you should get it spayed.
Spaying is the surgical removal of a female cat's uterus and ovaries. This procedure, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, takes roughly 1 to 2 hours to perform, depending on the surgeon's skill and the size of the animal.
Continue reading to learn the advantages of spaying your female cat or queen as well as when to do it.
Benefits of spaying a female cat
No estrous cycle (Heat cycle)
Cats that are spayed show no signs of heat because their heat cycle/ estrous cycle is terminated due to the absence of ovaries because ovaries produce certain hormones that bring a cat into heat. Your cat will stop producing different sounds, it will not make mating postures, and will be calm.
No roaming
Cats will not wander away from home in search of a male if spayed. They will have no interest or little interest in males and will prefer to stay at home.
Reduced risk of diseases
Cats that are spayed have fewer chances of developing diseases like mammary gland tumors, ovarian cysts, pyometra, and several others. Due to the absence of certain hormones, their body functions properly and their immunity is improved.
Population control
Spaying a female cat will have a big impact on the population of unwanted cats and kittens because one female can produce up to 4 to 8 kittens at a single time. If you don’t want to have kittens it is best to spay your cat as early as possible.
Better Health
Spayed cats will be happier and more relaxed. They frequently engage and are quite friendly with their owners. Additionally, they spend more time grooming themselves, and spaying a cat prolongs its lifespan in general.
What are complications related to spaying?
Internal bleeding
The most common complication related to spaying is internal bleeding from the blood vessels that are not properly ligated or closed during the surgery. Internal bleeding can be dangerous and requires a second surgery to correctly ligate the blood vessels.
Suture breakage
It is uncommon and generally occurs when the cat is highly active after surgery or licks or bites its wounds. The incision will simply be stitched back together by a veterinarian using a fresh suture in place of the old one.
Seroma formation
It is the accumulation of serum or fluid in the space between the skin and muscles. It occurs when the surgeon leaves a gap between the skin known as dead space while placing subcutaneous sutures.
Post-surgical infection
Generally, it occurs when the wound is not dressed daily after the surgery or if there was some contamination of the surgical site during the procedure. It is not a big concern and be covered with the help of a few antibiotics.
When to spay your cat?
Generally, a cat should be spayed before it reaches the age of 5 months but you can get your cat spayed as early as 8 weeks.
References:
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America, A. L. (2018, July 26). Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Pets | SpayUSA. Animal League. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://www.animalleague.org/get-involved/spay-usa/benefits-spaying-or-neutering-pets/
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Spaying in Cats | VCA Animal Hospital. (n.d.). Vca. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/spaying-in-cats#:%7E:text=It%20is%20recommended%20that%20all,intact%20(unspayed)%20female%20cats.