Spaying/neutering young cats

I just reread the article that was posted on pets.ca about spaying and neutering pets, http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-spay-neuter.htm.

We found that the clinic a county away from here will spay at 2 months or 2lbs. My four new kittens saw the vet today for their kitty shots and exams and we asked them about early spaying. They don't spay before 5 months.

The vet said there was some danger especially for the boys. He said "its good for pet population but bad for medical complications, especially with boys, urinary tract infections, growth process etc....."

Now I don't know what to do....I know these babies' mama got pregnant with them when she was 4-5 mths old.....I can't stand the thought of more little ones joining these.

Does anyone have insight or personal experience with good or bad experiences with early spaying?

My four range in weight from 1 lb 12 oz to 2 lbs 12 oz....the big boy is Andy.

Thanks,
Diane

I've always waited for them to reach 4lbs minimum. Anesthesia is a bit better with extra body weight. Plus they should be around 12 weeks when that size which is a less fragile age.

The youngest we do is 4 months, because our vet is not experienced with early spay/neuter. However I know most of the large shelters get their kittens/puppies done at 8 weeks old. There are certain things you have to do with early spay/neuter patients, their temperature has to be kept stable especially after surgery (very important, lots of bedding and hot water bottles can be used), and you can't withhold food and water for long periods of time like you can with older animals. They shouldn't be fasted for as long prior to surgery, and karo syrup is sometimes administered (rubbed into gums) prior to induction as a precaution. they are supposed to fed a very small meal (1-2 teaspoons) as soon as they recover from the anesthesia, and when they arrive home they should be fed 1/3 of their normal meal and water should be available, with normal feeding resuming the next day. With older animals they often tell you to withhold food and water until the next day, but young/kittens and puppies need to eat. The vet should have done many pediatric spay surgeries in the past and know what types and how much anesthesia to use.

As far as safety/complications, you can check out the ASPCA's page (http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=adopt_earlyspayneuter) on pediatric spay, and the Cat Fancier Association's page (http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/early-neuter.html) on early spay studies.

Great information both of you, Sable I will check out the info on those links.

Hope to hear more from others, too.

Thanks,
Diane