My mom keeps bugging me about Gracie getting spayed. I keep telling her that she has to for health reasons and she keeps saying "but shes an indoor cat that will never be around other cats and I dont want her to be in pain.. it breaks my heart."
A family friend of ours did not get their cat spayed for the same reason...
But for some reason that doesnt seem right...
Can someone inform me on why it is necessary to get a cat spayed?
Also, the spaying procedure involves heavy anesthesia on the cat, correct? And I will probably have to leave her with the vet overnight..
Yes, the anesthesia is a full induction (usually ISO), but depending on the time of day your vet performs the spay, time it takes kitty to recover from anesthesia will depend on when she can go home. If the spay is early morning or thereabouts, she may be able to go home that early eve. Ask your vet ahead of time so you're prepared.
I believe I was about as nervous as anyone about having my Dolly spayed. She is also an indoor cat but loves the outside and got out on me and had kittens twice. I loved her kittens but could not keep them and it is had to find good homes. It is in Gracie's best interest as well as your own. It takes a month or so but it also cuts out the behavior that can really get on your nerves from them wanting to be with a male. Dolly is doing so well, I am so glad I had her spayed. I don't like her to go out, but now if she slips out on me I don't have that worry. Your vet will explain everything to you if you ask them to and their main interest is in the well being of your beloved pet. I admit it was hard to leave Dolly overnight, but her vet insisted and now I can see it was for the best. Good luck. Wanda
I couldn't spay my cat, Katie, until one year of age due to a severe heart murmur. She went into heat every three weeks and was clearly uncomfortable. I made extra-sure that she did not slip out of the house. It was a relief when the murmur resolved itself and she was spayed.
If you do not spay your cat, you should worry about her getting pyometra (a uterine infection) later in life which is painfully common in unspayed cats. Another thing that you might want to consider is that unspayed cats can get mammary cancer, which, usually by the time it is noticed, is too late to treat.
Basically, spay your cat. It will cause her, and you, a lot less pain in the future.
