Some
vets prefer to stitch under the skin (subcuticular
stitching) using absorbable sutures. There is no need to
remove stitches. I prefer to spay the cat when it is
not on heat, usually 7 - 14 days after the meowing has
stopped. The surgery is almost blood-less and takes
a much shorter time than when done on a cat on
heat. However, the Singaporean wants immediate surgery
usually.
Spaying a cat on heat requires more time and
vigilance to ensure that the large uterine blood vessels
are knotted well so that there is no subsequent bleeding.
I prefer the cat not to move about for the next 48 hours
and longer if possible.
As to the age for spaying, I prefer to spay cats at
around 6 months of age, although the loud noises when the
female cat is on heat start at around six months of age
and most Singaporeans are worried that the neighbours may
feel disturbed.
Professional opinions all over the world differ as to when
it is the best age to spay the cat. Some vets spay the cat
as early as
4 months of age, before caterwauling develops.
Delays may result in pregnancies in the case of vets
working to control stray cat population. As for me, there
is always a loss of a case as the owner usually gets a vet
who will perform spays on the same day, even if she is on
heat. In any case, it is hard to tell whether the cat is
on heat, unless the owner reports on her making a lot of
noise (caterwauling).
The
alternative is to get some pills from the veterinarian to
suppress the mating cries of the caterwauling cat and spay the
cat 1 week later or at an older age when she is matured.
Stray cats. In Singapore, there was an understanding,
prior to the culling of cats on hygienic grounds since May 2003,
between the government stray cat control or catcher that a
spayed stray cat which is identified by a triangular piece
of the left ear tip snipped off by the veterinary surgeon
during spaying, will not be taken away to the pound.
However, many cat lovers who bring in stray cats for
sterilisation feel strongly against this ear mutilation. The
veterinary surgeon must clarify this matter with the person
bringing in a stray cat for spaying, to avoid misunderstanding
of being cruel to the cat.
In
Singapore, the female cat makes a lot of loud noises when
she wants a mate and owners living in apartments just
can't silence her and worry that neighbours get irritated.
This happens every 3 weeks but the duration is variable.
Therefore, the owner wants the cat spayed. Usually, the
cat will be around 6 months of age. I recommend that
the cat be spayed at the end of her heat, around 2 weeks
later as the uterine blood vessels and ovaries will have
shrunk to the normal size. By then, there is no urgency to
spay the cat, till another howling episode occurs.
What is best for your cat may not be best for you, the
Owner. Please note that some cats tend to bite off the
stitches within 3 days of surgery, exposing the guts. This
will be an emergency. Do consult your vet
immediately if this happens. After 7 days, the
situation is not so serious, but do find time to see your
vet to resolve the licking and inflamed surgical area
before it gets worse.
|
Cat spay by Dr Sing in 2008. This cat had been
caterwauling. Synthetic absorbable sutures and
plaster are used nowadays. |
 |
 |
In
conclusion, it is best for the cat that you do not get it
spayed while it is on heat as the blood vessels are large
and fragile at this stage of the cat's life.
Unfortunately, the cat makes so much noise that spaying is
required immediately by many Singaporean owners.
TOA
PAYOH VETS
