Question about neutering...and something really strange

[Lori & Ashley & Gilbert]

My first question is about neutering. We are definitely going to have Gilbert neutered, but his vet said NOT before he is 6-8 months old, preferably 8 mo. old. However, I have researched this online and found there to be no reason to wait this long, and many vets are neutering males much, much earlier. What are your thoughts and opinions on the proper age to neuter? If Gilbert starts spraying urine before we get him neutered, my husband will be very upset (and I won't like it much either!)

The other thing...now this is really strange....Gilbert has been doing great, he's so healthy and active, no problems. Today I took him for his booster shot, FVR I believe. They took his temp, gave him the shot, and clipped his nails. We were only there a few minutes. A few hours after we got home, Gilbert walked across my arm and there was blood! I turned him over and looked and his penis was all the way out of the fur and it was bloody! Not horribly bloody, just a little. What is up with this?? Needless to say, I was grossed out about kitty penis blood on my arm but more than that, I am very worried. As long as his penis is not sticking out, there is no blood coming from the furry outer part of his privates. Maybe he is licking himself too hard? He is doing fine otherwise. Anyone ever heard of this?

Thanks in advance................Lori

[kate & kobi]

Hi Lori!
Are you the same Lori B. that posted a week or so ago? So Gilbert is ... 10 or 11 weeks old by now?

8 months old seems like an extremely long time to wait, to me, but I'll let others with male cats answer...

Kate (& my two girls)

[kelly]

i have 2 male cats and they where both done at 6mths,
however my friends cat was neutered at 4 mths i suppose it depends on the vet!!

how about the other problem??
have you found out what was wrong??

[jason]

I turned him over and looked and his penis was all the way out of the fur and it was bloody!

well, reading the links here on this site (Emergency!...Signs & Symptoms) this would indicate taking your kitty back in asap. may or may not have anything to do with what was done on your last visit, could be coincidental.

bleeding from that area (as i would only imagine) is not normal and requires physical (perhaps culture) examination.

[Mona]

I am disagreeing with your vet. Neutering should be done at 3-6 months of age. My friend has two males who are spraying at 3 months of age. She has an appointment for neutering right away.

My kitten (female) was spayed at 8 weeks of age, and was fine.
This was done by the adopting shelter in which I did not have a choice.

As for the bloody discharge, I would immediately call the vet. This could be a sign of urinary problem etc.

Good luck.

Mona, HOneybun and Chloe

[Traci]

Lori, get Gilbert back to your vet IMMEDIATELY, blood from the penis is an emergency, only your vet can determine the cause. Do NOT wait on this!!

It could be they cut a quick on one of his claws and the blood is coming from that source, or it could be another thing entirely, don't even take the risk, get him back pronto!

[davet]

havn't read ll these but did the vet give any reason for waiting so long,,i did them at bout 2 or 3 monts and never encountered any so called problems....

[Squrrrl]

My vet said I had to wait till max is 6 months.

[davet]

but did your vet say why??, i often wonder the whys of this...if he/she say "why" would you post it please??

[Lori & Ashley & Gilbert]

I want to thank you all for the replies. The blood disappeared immediately and has not returned. I did call the vet however and was told that if no other symptoms were present and the blood did not return, don't worry. I had seen Gilbert licking his privates rather vigorously and the vet said that might have been all it was. I have been keeping a close eye on his little thing and it seems just fine. Gilbert is acting 100% normal so I am watching and being cautious for the moment. I forgot the ask the vet why he won't neuter earlier than 6-8 mo. It was closing time when I called. I will ask him the next time I get a chance. So far, Gilbert is not spraying but I am fearful of it and would like to stop it before it starts.

I am a little upset about my vet situation. Back when I had dogs, I went to the best, most modern vet clinic in this area. It was a 30 min drive each way and hard to get in w/out an appt, not to mention it was very expensive. But, it was top of the line pet care and that came in handy when my dog got very sick once. So...fast forward to now...I decided when I got Gilbert that I was going to take him to the vet clinic that is located about 5 min. from my house. It is sort of an old-timey kind of place and the vet himself is older. He is a really nice person and now that I have a toddler with me all the time, I really need the convenience but I think the vet might not be nearly as knowledgable as the former vet. I guess it is something I will just have to figure out on my own. Just venting a little there, sorry.

Thanks again for your concern. Gilbert is doing great right now but if it happens again, I might just call my previous vet. I think she would be more concerned than my current vet. I don't know. Thanks anyway