Cat Spay (Ovariohysterectomy)

Spaying is the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus of the female cat. the surgery can be performed at any age, but at Aloha we recommend to spay around 6-7 month of age. Spaying will prevent unwanted pregnancies, noisy heat cycles, piometra and mammary cancer. It is a routinely surgery that does not required hospitalization. Spay an abdominal surgery, the reproductive organ are removed, the  abdominal muscle layer is sutured with absorbable stitches as well as the skin with is sutured with non-absorbable stitches or staples, they are normally removed 10 days after the surgery when the skin healing is completed.

It is very important to mention that spaying is a important tool to control overpopulation of cats. In Florida, colonies of cats survive in the wild, reproducing uncontrollably this feral cats are unadoptable in most cases. As responsible cat owner spaying is the best health decision you can make for you pet.

Spaying while the cat is on heat is slightly more difficult due to the engorgement of the tissues and enlarged blood vessels. Spaying in heat does not carry a significant risk to the cat but, since extra surgery time is frequently required, an extra charge may be incurred. Spaying can be performed at any time during the course of pregnancy. Due to extra work and surgery time, most veterinarians will charge an extra fee for spaying a pregnant animal. In case of nursing mothers, the mammary (breast) development that comes with nursing can make the spay surgery more difficult. Ideally, a month after weaning allows for regression of this tissue and spaying can proceed. Unfortunately, it is possible for a female cat to become pregnant during this waiting period if her owner is not careful.

The female cat spends at least half the year with her reproductive tract dormant (cats only cycle Spring and Summer). This means that, behaviorally speaking, she acts spayed most of the time and no personality change should be noted. This said, it is important to realize that a cycling cat can be extremely solicitous of affection. This kind of playful, flirtatious behavior will stop with spaying. Some cats will gain weight, estrogens have a natural appetite suppressing effect and the loss of estrogens may lead to an increased appetite. It is important to realize that estrogens only circulate in a female cat during her mating season. Behaviorally, she should not be any different than her normal (not in heat) personality.

Recovery is fast and complications or infections are rarely seen, keeping the incision clean will be enough to allow a proper healing. Skin stitches are removed 10 days after surgery.