Alternative to surgical spaying in cats?

[92203]

Hello,

We've had two lovely Tiffany cats (brother & sister) since March. They are now approaching 6 months old and need to be neutered to prevent them reproducing (I am led to believe that cats will breed with their siblings), and prevent the behavioural traits associated with reaching sexual maturity.

Surgical spaying of females sounds like a pretty major operation and, reproductive effects aside, one which will have a permanent endocrinal effect. While I don't mean to personify the cat, a friends wife had ovarian cancer, and the resultant surgery and hormonal after effects (early menopause) had a big impact on her life.

Are there any safe methods of preventing the cat from going into heat other than spaying available in the UK? None of the vets local to me seem to offer anything of this nature.

On the assumption that we go down the surgical route, does anyone have any advice or recommendations for post operative care? The breeder suggested we bought a gauze stocking to go around the cats body (to stop her or her brother licking the wound), though a cursory search for this on Amazon has yielded all manner of weird and wonderful things!


Best Regards

92203

[BoggoStump]

What about the male cat?

[92203]

BoggoStump said:

What about the male cat?

He's getting done too, though at a slightly later date.

The main concern about the girl is the potential of unplanned pregnancies in the immediate term (while they're both still unneutered), and in the longer term when they start being allowed out (we'll be waiting until they're 12 months old before allowing them to roam unsupervised).

[Thevet]

Spaying or surgical neutering by ovariohysterectomy is astonishingly simple and effective. I would have no issues with recommending it to any cat owner. Any anaesthetic and surgery does have a risk but cat in season is utterly horrble for cat and owner......try it and see what you think.
Leaving a male cat entire is probably even less appealing, but it's your choice, again, try it and see what you think in a year!

[Scrump]

All of Mrs Scrump’s cats over the years have had the surgery. Most of them have been female. Never had any issues with the surgery and will continue up to have it done if she takes on any more cats.

[bexVN]

The overwhelming benefits to spaying (ovariohysterectomy) far out weighs any possible negative effects to the procedure

Any alternatives to spaying eg chemical interference for example has much more severe lomg term side effects and not spaying has its own detrimental risks.

I was a veterinary nurse for 30yrs and would only ever advise surgical spaying, The stats back up that neutered animals live longer. The Vet has explained how quick the procedure is but she needs to be spayed whilst not calling so you will need to book her in asap. The timings get trickier once they start cycling (egery 3 weeks!)

Is there a reason or delaying rhe male cat's op?