can my female never go into heat

[momtotwo]

OK I have asked this question many times before and maybe someone reading this post can help me. My female is almost a year old and has never showed any signs of going into heat, and believe me i know what those signs are from her mother! Is it possible that she may never become *beep* active? Both my cats are indoor cats so we have never got them "fixed" due to costs.

[Traci]

Many females won't actually show obvious signs of heat, but rest assured, both your cats have heat cycles.

Please, for your cats' health and safety, please get them spayed. The costs for spaying are far beneficial as opposed to serious conditions your cats can suffer as a result of not spaying (listed in link below).

Love Your Pets - Spay & Neuter!

[Tambrey]

momtotwo...I can surely empathize with you on the costs and finances...as you well know...but I do tend to agree about getting them spayed or neutered...

Most vets will take payment plans...can you do that there?...mine will take a series of post dated checks and put them into a file for each month and does not post them until a day or two after the date I put on them...
Talk to your vet and see what can be done...

take care and welcome to the forums...

[kehorner]

Try contacting some of the local cat rescue groups. They often can tell you about programs for low-cost spay/neuter in your area.

[momtotwo]

I know I know I should get them spayed but the vet quoted me a price of close to 150$ for one, they don't take payment plans, I could try my local SPCA to see if they can recommend someone cheaper. I am a good pet owner and certainly feel guilty for not doing spspaying them but 300$ is ahefty sum when it is hard to even pay the monthly bills. I don't believe that pet ownership should only be for the rich but should be for anyone who can give the pet in their care love and attention which I certainly do. Anyhow, back to my original question, if she is in heat how come there is no howling or rubbing herself everywhere? I notice no difference in her behavior compared to her mother who is very vocal and affectionate when in heat?

[Tambrey]

hi again...I too have a cat that we rescued as an older one...and for years she showed no signs of being in heat...so we assumed she had been spayed by whomever had her before us...Mom found her half frozen under her lilac bushes in the dead of winter...
However, about a year ago, she did go into a heat, but still did not act like a "normal" cat in heat with the yowling and posturing that most do...she just got friendlier and wanted more attention...we noticed her nipples were bigger than usual and she had a discharge so bad that she lost the fur all along her hind end...

I can understand the cost and all...really I do...and do trust that you are a great mom to your kitties...as mentioned...maybe there is an ASPCA or similar place there for a low cost spay...sometimes vet schools will give a good discount for the students to be able to do this...if you are willing to go there...I would trust a vet school because you know they are being well supervised during the surgery...

it would be worth looking into...I believe there is a good school at PEI, if I remember right...maybe Traci knows of a good school near where you live...

see ya around!

[Traci]

I am a good pet owner and certainly feel guilty for not doing spspaying them but 300$ is ahefty sum when it is hard to even pay the monthly bills. I don't believe that pet ownership should only be for the rich but should be for anyone who can give the pet in their care love and attention which I certainly do.

It might surprise you, but most vets would agree with you. However, you should know that the cost is reasonable, since this requires anesthesia, monitoring, the procedure, and nursing care after the procedure. Some low-cost spay/neuter clinics will not provide optimal care services or followup care, which is essential for any surgical procedure.

Save your money, get them spayed. For every heat cycle you allow them to endure, is putting them at risk for the conditions and complications noted in the link I provided you.

Anyhow, back to my original question, if she is in heat how come there is no howling or rubbing herself everywhere? I notice no difference in her behavior compared to her mother who is very vocal and affectionate when in heat?

As explained before, some cats do not display obvious symptoms, it depends on physiology, environment, etc.

[momtotwo]

Thanks for the replies There are no local vet schools in my province, PEI being the closest, our SPCA recommends local vets because they don't spay or neuter themselves, i will keep trying to save and will probably get the mother cat done first as she is very vocal! There is a local vet who will do it cheaper and though he is certified and licensed he is the type that you take the cat in , do the procedure and you take her home when she comes out of the anethesia, no needles or nothing, would this be OK? he did our dog with no side effects.