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Old July 13th, 2008, 06:57 PM
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Is it time to neuter my cat?

One if my kittens (Azrael) has recently "discovered" himself, but he's only 4 months in age.

I've read that neutering can be done much younger than 4 months. But that's not my question. Should I neuter now or can I still wait until he's 6 months (which was the initial plan)?

I just don't want him to develop bad habits, like spraying.

Last edited by Joeyjoejoe; July 14th, 2008 at 12:04 AM.
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Old July 13th, 2008, 07:08 PM
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The later you can delay neutering the better. I would wait until 6 months if you can, less risky. You can spay/neuter at 3 lbs if you vet is equipped to do it.
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Old July 14th, 2008, 12:40 AM
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There has been a retrospective study that looked at the safety of spaying and neutering your pet before or after 6 months. Anesthetic and surgical complications and problems were of similar numbers that there is at this time, no thought that early neuter represents any additional risks.

Furthermore the effects of neutering on spraying are not affected whether the spraying has already begun or not.

Good luck with your decision. I hope this information helps you.
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Old July 14th, 2008, 10:10 AM
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The good thing is Azrael has not yet begun spraying or displaying any aggressive behavior. Well Kyuubi and Azrael fight all the time, but from all indications, it's just play fighting. So I'll wait it out and see what happens.

I tried looking on-line, but the earliest age for cats going through puberty is 5 months. So is 4 months really odd? When Azrael was 2 months old, the vet did say that his testicles were very large for his age and size, but nothing to be alarmed with... maybe Azrael is just an early bloomer?
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Old July 14th, 2008, 11:57 AM
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I did have a foster kitten at 4 months old, that I thought was taking an interest in his momma (he was an orphan so they were not biologically related) when she was in heat, but not sure if it was the different smell of her or if he was maturing.

If Dr Lee says it is safe to neuter, then it should be ok to get done at any time.
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Old July 19th, 2008, 04:11 PM
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From what I know, it's best to 'fix' around 6 months and that's what I'm intending on doing with my cats...

you can always ask your vet if your cat is ready to undergo this procedure.

Good Luck!
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Old July 19th, 2008, 04:37 PM
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The shelter I'm at does it 2 months and 2 pounds. Works great. They recover much faster and everyone in the clinic has told me it's just as safe, if not safer because they heal up faster because they are younger. Everyone seems to have different opinions on this though... My personal opinion backed up by all the shelter clinic peoples I've talked too from 2 separate shelters all agree, the younger the better ^_^ Also, spraying and marking can become a learned behavior, so I'd prefer to get it done before they even realize they can do that so that they hopefully will never make it a habit.
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Old July 19th, 2008, 04:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yettiyodamarlo View Post
From what I know, it's best to 'fix' around 6 months...
There has not been any studies that have been able to show when is 'best'. As I had mentioned, the recent studies tend to indicate that there is not a 'particular best'.

So when is best? I would recommend that you have your cat neutered or spayed at the age with which your pet's veterinarian is most comfortable. Be that 6 months, earlier or another particular date. I usually recommend 5 1/2 months for my clients, but that is what is best for my hospitals. Occasionally we alter that date if the particular pet or family would benefit from a different age.
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Old July 19th, 2008, 05:29 PM
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Dr. Lee - I was going to a vet recently who said that for boys castration before six months led to a greater risk of kidney stones later. Do you know if there have been any tests done on that correlation?
The vet I am going to through the rescue I work with said they will not do it before five to six months because before then it is microscopic surgery. Now that was not the vet I was speaking to. It was his assistants on the front desk.
My regular vet I take my kitties to says three pounds.
I guess there really are a lot of differing opinions as to what is best.
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  #10  
Old July 25th, 2008, 12:04 AM
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Update:

Both the kittens have now "discovered themselves". Maybe it's in their genes?

I went to the vet for their scheduled shots and got his opinion on the early neutering. He said it's probably best to wait until they are 6 months, since they have shown no bad behavioral problems... which seems to coincide with the popular opinion.

Now they are close to 5 months, it's not really much of an issue of whether to neuter now or a month from now. I'm planning on neutering right before the Labour Day weekend. That way I can watch them recuperate around the clock for about 4 days.

Thanks to all who posted!
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  #11  
Old July 25th, 2008, 07:43 AM
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When I adopted Jasper he was 5-6 years old and neutered by the SPCA, he may be purebred Ragdoll and may have been used as a studmuffin.

I took him into my vet to have bloodwork done on him and asked about crystals and such in a male, she said due to his late neutering his urethra (sp?) may be larger to allow crystals to pass.
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Jasper RIP (2001-2018)
Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014)
Puddles RIP (1996-2014)
Snowball RIP (1991-2005)

In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb

“While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey
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