Surgery to remove reproductive organs from cats is called spaying or neutering. Surgical intervention is performed for those cats whose owners do not want to continue to receive offspring from their pet and engage in breeding.
Removing reproductive organs from pregnant cats is a separate topic that needs attention. Only a veterinarian can determine whether a pregnant cat can be spayed. In the vast majority of clinical cases, experts strongly do not recommend performing surgery on a female during the period of gestation of kittens due to the high risks of developing complications that can lead to serious consequences.
Sterilizing a pregnant cat is a last resort in special cases.
Why is surgery dangerous during pregnancy?
There are enough factors that are an obstacle to sterilization of an ordinary cat that is not in a state of pregnancy. Direct contraindications to surgical manipulation are:
- pathological conditions in the body of a chronic nature that are in the acute stage;
- a severe weakening of the body's defenses, resulting from exhaustion due to starvation or the development of serious infectious diseases.
Important! Highly qualified veterinary specialists rarely agree to perform surgery on a cat bearing kittens. This is primarily due to the high risk of damage to the endometrium during embryo removal.
As a rule, when there is an indication for sterilization of a pregnant cat, veterinarians perform an ovariohysterectomy, or, in other words, remove not only the fetuses, but also the uterus and ovaries itself.
Can a neutered cat become pregnant? A sterilized cat can become pregnant, but a neutered one cannot. The main difference is in the technique of performing the operation to remove the reproductive function. The very concept of sterilization does not imply the removal of reproductive organs. The cat's tubes are tied, which over time can begin to function as before. But with castration, which involves the complete removal of not only the uterus, but also the fallopian tubes and appendages, the possibility of pregnancy is excluded.
Carrying out any surgical intervention during a cat’s pregnancy is fraught with risks of complications. The main danger is that during the gestation of kittens, the uterus, filled with embryos, is highly blood-supplied. During manipulation, there is a risk of bleeding. It is important to note that the seam from such sterilization will be much longer than with conventional manipulation.
It is not recommended to carry out sterilization while the cat is carrying kittens and due to the long rehabilitation period. This is due to physiological changes and hormonal imbalances in the animal’s body.
In early pregnancy
Sterilization of a pregnant cat should be carried out in a veterinary hospital. Even in the very early stages, the animal experiences severe stress, but during this period the risks of developing complications are minimal. In some cases, you can call a veterinarian to your home.
Note! In the event of complications and critical situations that directly threaten the health of the animal, it is necessary to urgently connect equipment, which can only be found in a veterinary clinic. It is also important that after sterilization the animal is under medical supervision for some time.
Late sterilization of a cat
Whether it is possible to sterilize a cat during late pregnancy should also be determined exclusively by a specialist. Just the owner's desire is not enough. There must be serious reasons for prescribing surgery. The longer the gestation period for kittens, the higher the risk of developing all sorts of consequences that are extremely dangerous not only for the health, but also for the life of the animal. If the owner understands that the cat is expecting offspring, it is necessary to contact a veterinary clinic for advice as soon as possible. The animal will undergo all necessary tests and studies.
Important! The optimal period when you can still undergo sterilization and avoid consequences is from 1 to 6 weeks of pregnancy .
In the later stages
What do you need to know about this? Is it possible to sterilize a pregnant cat in the later stages? Doctors usually do not advise performing this operation unnecessarily while carrying kittens. This will help avoid the development of dangerous complications. However, in some cases, the extirpation procedure becomes necessary in order to save the animal’s life.
Usually the operation is performed in the following cases:
- the animal has access to the street;
- the owner cannot independently determine the time of conception;
- fertilization occurred during feeding of the previous offspring;
- several pregnancies in a row without a rest period;
- early achievement of puberty (3.5-4 months);
- the risk of giving birth to sick offspring with birth defects.
Indications for termination of pregnancy and sterilization
Is it possible to spay a cat during heat?
Extirpation of the uterus and appendages during pregnancy of a cat is prescribed extremely rarely and only if there are serious reasons for this. As a rule, this is the development of pyometra or a malignant tumor diagnosed in the uterine area. Whether a cat can become pregnant after sterilization depends only on what kind of procedure was performed. If reproductive organs were removed during surgery, the possibility of further fertilization and pregnancy is excluded.
Pathological changes in the uterus with fetuses
After sterilization or castration, which is more appropriate for such manipulation, the cat’s body will continue to produce female hormones estrogens for more than 40 days. After castration, hormonal levels decrease, and the cat itself becomes affectionate and flexible.
Sterilization of a cat during pregnancy can be carried out only in extreme cases when clinically indicated:
- disruption of fetal development in the womb;
- disease of the mother cat, provoked by the onset of pregnancy;
- advanced age of the pet and the presence of chronic diseases.
In some clinical cases, hysterectomy is indicated even in later stages. This will avoid the death of the cat. It is recommended to sterilize a cat during pregnancy with a short interval between previous births, as well as during pregnancy and lactation.
For your information! Surgical intervention to remove the reproductive organs is indicated when a kitten becomes pregnant under 4 months of age.
An indication for manipulation is also the risk of giving birth to kittens with serious congenital defects.
Pyometra in a cat
Features of caring for an operated animal
Since sterilizing a cat during pregnancy is a very complex and responsible operation, accompanied by considerable risks, we strongly advise you to leave the animal with a veterinarian. Best of all - at least a week.
This will allow the specialist to constantly monitor the animal’s condition and deal with complications immediately after they appear (of course, it would be better if it didn’t come to this). If the clinic does not provide such services, or the owner for some reason cannot wait that long, it is still advisable to pick up the operated cat at least three days later.
Remember that a pregnant animal, having been operated on, has a very difficult and long recovery from anesthesia. And it is better that specialists look after him at this moment.
Don’t forget that even after “normal” sterilization, the animal’s recovery time can be up to three weeks, and in the case of forced deprivation it’s even worse. Sometimes the rehabilitation period extends to several months.
Creating optimal conditions
The better care the animal owner can provide, the faster his pet will return to normal. It is very good if he can place the cat in a separate room. It should be dark, well insulated from access by pets.
After surgery, a cat has a pronounced desire to take refuge in a shelter, and therefore you need to immediately find a roomy and comfortable basket. We advise you to limit your cat’s interaction with children and pets as much as possible for at least a month after surgery.
To minimize the likelihood of contamination of the seams and inflammation of this area, it is necessary to wear a special bandage or blanket on your pet. It must be changed at least once a week, or immediately after significant contamination.
When choosing a blanket on your own in a pet store, pay attention to the ties: their location and design features should prevent the animal from trying to get rid of uncomfortable “clothes.”
If your pet is overly active and active, we recommend additionally using a surgical collar. Regardless of the protection used for the operated area, its condition should be monitored daily.
Conditions of seams and their correct processing
Remember that, with the exception of the first three days from the moment of sterilization, the appearance of blood is a very bad sign and a reason to immediately contact a veterinarian.
On the contrary, the discharge of translucent and yellowish ichor is a completely normal phenomenon, indicating a normal healing process. To prevent the seams from becoming inflamed, we recommend following these simple recommendations:
- No later than three days from the date of surgery, it is necessary to carry out the first treatment of the postoperative wound.
- Be sure to wipe the seams with a soft cotton-gauze swab soaked in miramistine or chlorhexidine. You cannot make great efforts and try to remove crusts from a healing wound!
- If the stitches cause your cat any discomfort, we recommend that you consult a veterinarian. Let the specialist prescribe sedatives and/or analgesics.
Important Tips
Do not under any circumstances try to help your pet by giving her “human” painkillers. Many of them are strong poisons for animals.
To speed up the healing process of sutures, ointments with an antibacterial effect should be applied to it for about five days from the moment the ichor has stopped coming out of the wound. In particular, levomekol is perfect for these purposes.
You should urgently call a veterinarian if you see the following signs:
- The cat is lethargic and refuses to eat.
- The sutures are swollen, purulent exudate is clearly visible on them.
- Your pet's belly has become hard, painful, and the local temperature has increased.
All these symptoms indicate severe inflammatory processes that cannot be dealt with at home. You need to take your pet to the vet immediately!
Stages of the procedure
Is it necessary to sterilize a cat: what will happen if you don’t?
Castration in cats is a serious abdominal operation performed under general anesthesia. The steps of the operation include:
- Mandatory preparation, vaccination is required (according to plan), as well as antiparasitic complex treatment against helminths and ectoparasites. Before the scheduled day of surgery, it is recommended to keep the cat on a fasting diet for at least 10 hours.
- Preparing a pet for a planned operation in a veterinary clinic includes an examination and taking the necessary blood and urine tests. If there are possible deviations, the doctor will not be able to perform surgery. Next, the animal is weighed to determine the exact dose of the drug. The animal, which is in a deep stage of sleep, is placed on the operating table. The fur is removed from the intended incision site and treated with antiseptic solutions.
- Carrying out the operation. The surgeon creates access by cutting through the abdominal tissue. When carrying out planned sterilization of a non-pregnant cat, tissue dissection is carried out from the side. A larger incision is required to remove the uterus and fetuses. Ligatures are applied to compress large vessels that fill the uterus with blood. This will prevent serious bleeding. Next, the uterus and appendages are removed and special sutures are applied.
The operation begins with the administration of anesthesia
Possible complications
There are several types of complications of such an operation; they arise when the veterinarian is not experienced enough or has violated the requirements for manipulation. But such negative consequences can also occur for a good specialist, because each organism is individual:
- Your cat may develop hormonal problems.
- A weakened body may develop pneumonia.
- Complications include peritonitis.
- Possible inflammation of the seam.
Immediately, at the first symptoms of any complication, you need to contact the veterinarian who performed the operation. He will prescribe additional examination and treatment.
Even if the cat owner knows a veterinarian, you should not trust him to perform the operation at home.
Sterilization should be carried out only in a well-equipped clinic, where various complications can be dealt with.
How will the cat behave after surgery?
The postoperative period for a pregnant cat is much longer and more difficult than for non-pregnant females. Due to the fact that the seam is much larger, the care of the animal must be special. The animal may sleep for a long time after the operation, and it is difficult to recover from anesthesia.
Rehabilitation period
Is it possible to spay a dog while in heat?
It is recommended to use a special carrier to transport and transport the operated animal. During the period when the cat is in the stage of medicated sleep, all processes decrease and body temperature drops. Hypothermia may occur, so it is recommended to additionally insulate the pet by covering it with a blanket and placing a heating pad in the back area.
Important! Animals do not close their eyes during anesthesia. Due to the risks of severe drying out of the corneal layer and the development of an inflammatory process, the owner must periodically close the animal’s eyes or instill special drops.
It is necessary to care for the operated animal very carefully, noting any changes in the condition. It is important to treat the seam with antiseptic solutions. In order to prevent the development of a bacterial infection, doctors prescribe a mandatory course of antibiotics.
The speed of rehabilitation of an animal after surgery directly depends on the development of complications, the age of the pet and the presence of chronic diseases.
Sterilizing a pet means taking care of it
Sterilizing a cat in any condition means responsibly keeping your pet.
Cats are characterized by rapid and fruitful reproduction. In the case where the owner does not breed purebred kittens, it is necessary, casting aside doubts, to carry out sterilization.
A domestic cat can acquire an infectious disease through contact with stray animals. Thanks to birth control, the number of stray cats is reduced and the risk of infection of a pet is reduced.
Possible consequences
Consequences after surgery to remove reproductive organs in a pregnant cat are not uncommon. You should contact a veterinary clinic if your pet exhibits the following signs:
- refusal to eat for more than 3 days after surgery;
- change in body temperature: increase to 39.5 °C after surgery on days 3-5;
- severe swelling at the location of the suture;
- the appearance of purulent discharge in the area of the wound surface and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
The animal's apathetic state, lethargy and severe drowsiness should also be a cause for concern for the owner.
Pros and cons of spaying a pregnant cat
After sterilizing a pregnant cat, the owner may encounter pleasant and negative moments. After castration, the cat becomes significantly more docile, aggressiveness and attempts to leave the house during the period of sexual heat disappear. The disadvantages of the operation include the risks of complications - hemorrhages and inflammatory processes if the rules of surgical manipulation are violated.
There are pros and cons
Proper care after surgery includes changing your diet. The cat needs to choose the food that is indicated for castrated animals, which will prevent the development of diseases of the heart, blood vessels and urinary system, and will also protect the pet from gaining excess weight and developing obesity.
Thus, sterilization of a cat in position is a last resort that can only be prescribed by a veterinarian. It is carried out only when there is a question of saving the life of a pet. No doctor will simply undertake surgery in this situation.
Causes
A domestic cat and its health will be maximally protected if the owner treats the animal responsibly and regularly shows it to the veterinarian, especially during pregnancy. Animals may also experience various problems throughout the months of gestation.
Their timely detection will allow you to quickly and effectively solve the problem, save the health and even the life of your beloved pet. Extirpation of the pregnant uterus has a number of features that experienced veterinarians know about:
- During pregnancy, the uterus increases in size and is permeated with vessels.
- This increases the risk of bleeding during surgery.
- The postoperative scar will be large.
- The owner needs to show maximum attention to his cat during the period of its rehabilitation and recovery, because surgical intervention in this situation is quite serious.
The shorter the pregnancy, the less complications you can expect from the operation. When the owner of a domestic cat is attentive and watches her regularly, he will know when a meeting with a male and sexual intercourse could take place.
In this case, it is worth bringing your pet to the clinic in two weeks, where they will conduct an examination and determine the fact of pregnancy. At an early stage, sterilization will occur with minimal risks, and the animal will recover quickly.
ATTENTION! The deadline for sterilization is the sixth week of pregnancy.
