What is a Cat Spay?
A cat spay is technically an ovariohysterectomy of a female cat. The uterus and ovaries are surgically removed resulting in the inability of a cat to reproduce. A spay, while not an especially long, difficult, surgical procedure, is still a major abdominal surgery.
What are the steps involved in a cat spay?
A cat spay is technically an ovariohysterectomy of a female cat. The uterus and ovaries are surgically removed resulting in the inability of a cat to reproduce. A spay, while not an especially long, difficult, surgical procedure, is still a major abdominal surgery.
What are the steps involved in a cat spay?
- Your cat should be given a thorough physical exam by a licensed veterinarian.
- Pre-anesthetic blood work should be performed to be sure your cat is an ideal surgical candidate.
- Anesthesia is administered - first by an injectable "induction" agent, then maintained by a modern gas anesthetic such as Isoflurane or Sevoflurane.
- An antiseptic surgical scrub is performed after shaving your cat's abdomen.
- A sterile surgical pack is opened while the surgeon performs a sterile scrub/prep procedure followed by gowning and gloving.
- Your pet is placed on the surgical table and surgical lights are aimed at the sterile field.
- An anesthetic monitor should be used to monitor heart rate, oxygen saturation of the blood and other parameters.
- Ideally fluids are administered to your cat.
- The abdomen is opened, the uterus and ovaries are exposed, the arteries to these structures are tied off with suture and the organs are removed.
- The abdominal muscles are closed with sterile suture followed by closure of the subcutaneous tissue and the skin.
- Your cat will then be "recovered" from anesthesia by removing her from gas anesthesia, monitoring vital signs and keeping her warm with blankets or warming pads.
- Pain medications should be administered to reduce your pet's discomfort.
Important Recommendations:
- Find a veterinarian that you trust. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Visit the animal hospital for a tour prior to scheduling.
- Don't try to save a few dollars by finding the cheapest place to perform your cat's surgery. You get what you pay for. Like anything, it is possible to "cut corners" in performing your cat's spay. Cutting corners can lead to expensive complications and worse. Some low cost facilities practice high volume, "assembly line" style medicine.
- Ask these questions prior to choosing who spays your cat: * Will I see the veterinarian prior to the procedure? * Will the vet examine my cat? * Will blood work be performed prior to anesthesia? * Is Isoflurane gas used? * Who will be performing the spay? * Will my cat receive pain medication to ensure her comfort? * Do you administer fluids to my cat during the spay?