Should I be upset, or does this all sound ok. Thanks, Wandavet disagrees
vet disagrees
I guess this is mostly to Traci but all comments welcome. I don't know whether to be upset or not. First tried to feed kittens in bathtub and they drank alittle of the kitten milk then I mixed some of the kitten chow with it and they at least tasted that, so I thought a good first time, I will go ahead make Dolly's appointment for the end of next week. Vet would not have it said to early to wean kittens and wants them completely weaned and if we still have them can't even be around Dolly for 10 days afterward because they could rip her stitches. Said needed to wait at least 2 more weeks. I thought we had already had things arranged for when kittens were 4 weeks old. I guess I misunderstood. I have actually been paying alittle along on this because I wanted her annual exam, any shots all at the same time if possible, which they said would be fine. I know he is a very good vet but I am confused. He also says Dolly will have to stay overnight, she will be alone and scared cause no one stays there over night with them. I am literally about to cry. Should I be upset, or does this all sound ok. Thanks, Wanda
Should I be upset, or does this all sound ok. Thanks, Wanda
Re: vet disagrees
i kinda forget what this was all about bnut if the mother is spayed and still has the kittens the vet could use subcutaneous stitches which lie une the skin and cannot be touched by the kittens. I am not exactly sure how to explain it but i suspect you get the idea, the incision line does not even show because the skin is tucked in.....she could be spayed and still have the kittens nurse with no problem..but again i forget most of the original question so can oonbly add the surgical part...
Re: vet disagrees
I'm sorry Davet and others, I had just got off phone with vet and was so upset I forgot to make it clearer, yes you are right the visit is to get her spayed. He has not mentioned those kind of stitches and I do believe I understand what you are saying. Is that precedure more expensive, or is it possible he doesn't have the experience? He has been in business for at least 25 years, we have used him for around 20 years off and on for dogs, cats,& horses, but I guess we've been lucky, never needed stitches for any of them that I can remember. He was insistent about kittens staying away, of course I may have them homes by then, it would be best I guess. I really don't see why she has to stay there over night though when no one will be there. Will she sleeping from the surgery or will she be awake and frightened? Thanks, Wanda
Re: vet disagrees
Wanda, your vet may just be speaking from experience. Perhaps he's seen spays when the queen is still nursing and perhaps he's had clients who didn't have a clue and some of his patients might have had serious suture problems or open wounds and delayed treatment, which is probably why he is advising you as he is. Not to say of course that you're not an exceptional kitty mom (we know you are), but your vet may just be hesitant, that's all.
Technically, there is no reason she can't be spayed with absorbable sutures, schedule surgery in the morning, be able to take her home that late afternoon or early eve. But, you will want to keep her seperated from the kittens and not allow her to nurse for up to 24 hours simply due to anesthesia recovery, and to give Dolly some private time to be still, comfortable enough to recuperate from the spay. After the 24 hours, you can of course allow her to be near the kittens, but it would be advisable to supervise them and her to make sure that she is not uncomfortable, not agitated, etc. If that occurs, seperate them again, try again later. Since you've had experience with milk production, swollen mammaries, and potential infection/mastitis, that is one concern you want to watch out for when the kittens are still nursing from her....in which you would want to get her treated for infection immediately.
It's really up to you. ..
If you feel the kittens are going to be completely weaned at 4 weeks of age, the only thing you will need to do is ensure they are eating solid food sufficiently, and soley interested in food and not so much nursing. Also monitor their weights weekly to ensure they are gaining. Be prepared they will probably still attempt to nurse from Dolly if she allows them whether she is spayed or not, so it's up to you to allow them to do that or not, to seperate them from her or not.
If you don't feel the kittens will be weaned/ready at 4 weeks, then you can of course wait an extra week or so before spaying Dolly, until they are weaned and eating solid food with good interest. You will just have to ensure that Dolly is not allowed outside or near any intact males.
Ideally, it is when they are ready to be totally seperated from their mother as well as their siblings (adopted into new homes), that we prefer they are at least 8-12 weeks of age, strong in stature, eating solid food and able to defend themselves if other pets are going to be in their new adoptive homes.
Technically, there is no reason she can't be spayed with absorbable sutures, schedule surgery in the morning, be able to take her home that late afternoon or early eve. But, you will want to keep her seperated from the kittens and not allow her to nurse for up to 24 hours simply due to anesthesia recovery, and to give Dolly some private time to be still, comfortable enough to recuperate from the spay. After the 24 hours, you can of course allow her to be near the kittens, but it would be advisable to supervise them and her to make sure that she is not uncomfortable, not agitated, etc. If that occurs, seperate them again, try again later. Since you've had experience with milk production, swollen mammaries, and potential infection/mastitis, that is one concern you want to watch out for when the kittens are still nursing from her....in which you would want to get her treated for infection immediately.
It's really up to you. ..
If you feel the kittens are going to be completely weaned at 4 weeks of age, the only thing you will need to do is ensure they are eating solid food sufficiently, and soley interested in food and not so much nursing. Also monitor their weights weekly to ensure they are gaining. Be prepared they will probably still attempt to nurse from Dolly if she allows them whether she is spayed or not, so it's up to you to allow them to do that or not, to seperate them from her or not.
If you don't feel the kittens will be weaned/ready at 4 weeks, then you can of course wait an extra week or so before spaying Dolly, until they are weaned and eating solid food with good interest. You will just have to ensure that Dolly is not allowed outside or near any intact males.
Ideally, it is when they are ready to be totally seperated from their mother as well as their siblings (adopted into new homes), that we prefer they are at least 8-12 weeks of age, strong in stature, eating solid food and able to defend themselves if other pets are going to be in their new adoptive homes.
..........Traci
Re: vet disagrees
Thanks Traci,
You made me feel better. I just need to slow down the pace alittle I guess. Just had a couple close calls with Dolly getting outside, and wanted to rush it up. If I trust my vet and really I do, then I need to listen to him. He said it was ok to wean puppies at 4 weeks but he didn't like kittens weaned that early. When I talked to him before delivery, he must have thought I was talking about a dog, lol. I guess vets have bad days too, huh? Today when first started talking to me, said neuter him, I said did you forget she's a girl? Think just a busy day. Oh well, hubby (he doesn't like to admit it but he loves Dolly too!) went by said the reason for overnight stay is she will be in a cage with monitors, that warn them at home if fever or something else occurs and they get right to them, so I guess I will have to be a good kitty moma, and let the vet do what is necessary for Dolly. I will make sure kittens are strong enough and old enough for their new homes. Nothing but the best for Dolly's babies! Wanda
You made me feel better. I just need to slow down the pace alittle I guess. Just had a couple close calls with Dolly getting outside, and wanted to rush it up. If I trust my vet and really I do, then I need to listen to him. He said it was ok to wean puppies at 4 weeks but he didn't like kittens weaned that early. When I talked to him before delivery, he must have thought I was talking about a dog, lol. I guess vets have bad days too, huh? Today when first started talking to me, said neuter him, I said did you forget she's a girl? Think just a busy day. Oh well, hubby (he doesn't like to admit it but he loves Dolly too!) went by said the reason for overnight stay is she will be in a cage with monitors, that warn them at home if fever or something else occurs and they get right to them, so I guess I will have to be a good kitty moma, and let the vet do what is necessary for Dolly. I will make sure kittens are strong enough and old enough for their new homes. Nothing but the best for Dolly's babies! Wanda
Re: vet disagrees
Monitors, huh? Is your vet's clinic really really state-of-the-art? Or did he mean human monitors?
Otherwise, while I agree she will probably do just fine there overnight, I personally prefer to bring them home, but maybe your vet doesn't schedule surgeries til late afternoon?
Otherwise, while I agree she will probably do just fine there overnight, I personally prefer to bring them home, but maybe your vet doesn't schedule surgeries til late afternoon?
..........Traci
Re: vet disagrees
No, wants her there when they first open up at 9am. Monitors was my choice of words, hubby says they described it as a way to keep check on her temperature, maybe vital signs he just remembers temperature. As far as we understand no one will be there after closing. They may take them with them but that is not how they put it to me said quote " she will have to stay here overnight and will have me pick her up if all is well the next morning". I hate the thought of her being there alone almost more than the surgery, she has never been alone at night. I am afraid she will think she is being punished for something. Oh well, I really don't know what else to do. Could I insist I bring her home or could that make him angry and he might refuse to do the surgery? I certainly don't want to insult him. Wanda
Re: vet disagrees
I'm sure she'll be ok, since it will be quiet, she will probably welcome the quiet and chance to recover from anesthesia, and sleep.
You can ask your vet about his usual policies about releasing spay patients the same day, but if his general policy is "no", he probably has a good reason, mainly because if a complication develops, then all available ER procedures and equipment will be right there in the clinic to be utilized promptly.
Personally, I agree with you, I don't like the thought of patients being unattended after hours/overnight....but routine spays and neuters usually do just fine overnight.
You can ask your vet about his usual policies about releasing spay patients the same day, but if his general policy is "no", he probably has a good reason, mainly because if a complication develops, then all available ER procedures and equipment will be right there in the clinic to be utilized promptly.
Personally, I agree with you, I don't like the thought of patients being unattended after hours/overnight....but routine spays and neuters usually do just fine overnight.
..........Traci