Topic: The right time to have my Tiggy spayed (Read 9966 times)

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #49 on:** March 17, 2009, 01:12:02 AM »

You're on a steep learning curve, aren't you Tracey?

In all my years of cat owning and rescuing, and being a member of so many different animal welfare forums I've lost track, I have never ever heard of a chip causing health problems. Never!

The chip is inserted just under the skin. A cat's skin is loose, not like ours, so the chip cannot migrate to the blood stream, or get lodged in anything vital. They do migrate as other have said, but normally to the shoulders or legs or other harmless places. I do wish unknowledgeable people wouldn't fill someone's head with nonsense and scare them.

When you vaccinate, so ask the vet to include the FeLV part, which is optional on top of the usual vaccine. That's Feline Leukaemia, which in cats is actually a virus and it's always deadly. Not point in taking a risk over that to save a few bob.

Don't worry about having so much to learn. This was a primary reason why this website was set up - to get free help from more experienced owners and rescuers.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #48 on:** March 16, 2009, 18:51:17 PM »

When you take her in ask if they can glue her, it saves all the hassle of cones and stitches, much less stress all round

I would strongly reccomend you get her chipped at the same time, collars often get lost. More cats are hurt from collars than migrated microchips.

You can start her vaccinations at any time, she is more than old enough.

When you let her out leave her to go at her own pace,i wouldnt show her round the front, best she leaves that for as long as possible! Always get her in at night, start the routine and she will get used to it

MrsR · « **Reply #47 on:** March 16, 2009, 18:02:01 PM »

Good point Mark

Mark · « **Reply #46 on:** March 16, 2009, 17:53:38 PM »

As Tiggy is your first cat, you may not know that over-the-counter fleas & worming treatments are useless and sometimes even dangerous - so best to use the vet ones. It's important to keep up with fleaing & worming for lots of reasons but most importantly they can cause lots of health problems.

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #45 on:** March 16, 2009, 17:15:32 PM »

Best to get her spayed before her first season, I believe. Apart from the health risks (I believe each season increases the risk of pyometria and/or cancer?), if she comes into season before you get her spayed, you then have to deal with a cat in heat (not pleasant) and have the difficulty of trying to catch her in between seasons. cats can be done when in heat, but it's slightly riskier and some vets prefer to wait until they are no longer in season. So best get it done before she starts, esp given the time of year (with spring approaching she could be going in and out of heat almost continuously)

Team Svartalfheims · « **Reply #44 on:** March 16, 2009, 14:28:26 PM »

Best thing to do is give the vets a call and ask their advice (although surely they know she isn't vaccinated?) as some vets won't neuter until the animal has been fully vaccinated as there is a risk of them picking things up when they are in the vets.

Dawn F · « **Reply #43 on:** March 16, 2009, 14:22:11 PM »

she shouldn't go out until she is vaccinated

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #42 on:** March 16, 2009, 14:03:45 PM »

Oh butter! Tiggy has never been injected! Can they do that when she goes in to be spayed or do I keep it for another time?

Team Svartalfheims · « **Reply #41 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:59:51 PM »

Kittens are usually vaccinated at 9 and 12 weeks old but if she hasn't been vaccinated don't worry the vets can do it at any age it's just 2 injections 3-4 weeks apart.

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #40 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:49:54 PM »

Quote from: Team Svartalfheims on March 16, 2009, 13:45:51 PM

I have my kittens chipped along with their second vaccination at 12 weeks and yes sometimes they squeal but I'd rather harden my heart and listen to them squeal for a few seconds and know that they are chipped than not get them chipped and risk them going awol in their new homes and new owners not having got round to chipping them. This is why I personally don't believe in waiting until they are neutered to get them chipped as if they accidently got out of the house before then they are unidentifiable.

As for spaying the earlier the better and I know you'll worry all day when she's at the vets having it done but she'll be just fine

OMG! That is something else i'd not thought of! When do they have to be vaccinated?

Den · « **Reply #39 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:49:06 PM »

Migrating chips do happen a lot but I have never ever heard of them causing problems or even death. They are only implanted just under the skin. It almost sounds like one of those crazy internet stories

Try not to worry about her too much. She will be in great hands with the vet. As scary as it sounds, it is a very routine operation for a vet to do. Even though I know that it didn't stop me blubbering like a great big idiot when I took all my animals to get neutered. I got my dog spayed when she was 6months old and I completely and utterly fell to pieces when I handed her over to them and spent most of the morning in tears as I felt soooooooo bad/upset/worried. So it is perfectly normal to feel the way you do. I cried with the other two as well but I went a bit OTT with Molly

MrsR · « **Reply #38 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:47:49 PM »

Chips do move and every so often when at the vets I get the vet to rescan them just to double check they haven't moved so much they are untraceable

We don't think you are knocking them sweetie, if I'd heard those stories I'd be nervous also.

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #37 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:47:05 PM »

Please don't think I am knocking micro chipping because I am not I am just a little scared after what I have heard but I guess you have to weight things up.

Its great to have an honest answer from you guys. Thank you x

Team Svartalfheims · « **Reply #36 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:45:51 PM »

I have my kittens chipped along with their second vaccination at 12 weeks and yes sometimes they squeal but I'd rather harden my heart and listen to them squeal for a few seconds and know that they are chipped than not get them chipped and risk them going awol in their new homes and new owners not having got round to chipping them. This is why I personally don't believe in waiting until they are neutered to get them chipped as if they accidently got out of the house before then they are unidentifiable.

As for spaying the earlier the better and I know you'll worry all day when she's at the vets having it done but she'll be just fine

Dawn F · « **Reply #35 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:43:22 PM »

I have heard of them moving but never heard of anything fatal - I think the benefits outweigh any risk involved - search under dancer925, she has moved to new zealand and literally a couple of weeks before she left was reunited with her furbabe who had been missing for four months because of a chip

MrsR · « **Reply #34 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:43:00 PM »

Over the years its the first thing I have had done to any of my cats and had then microchipped and I have never ever had any problems with them hunnie. I personally do not know anyone who has had problem swiht there chips - yours is the first time I have actually heard of any problems. I would personally always chip my animals.

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #33 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:39:39 PM »

Quote from: Dawn F on March 16, 2009, 13:35:07 PM

what have you heard?????

you can't let her out until she has had her stiches removed

So she must have a follow up appointment then after the op...

I have just heard about the micro chip moving to a part of the body that causes problems for the health of the cat and in some cases has killed it. I guess I am just such a nervous person when it come to my baby Tiggy.

Dawn F · « **Reply #32 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:35:07 PM »

what have you heard?????

you can't let her out until she has had her stiches removed

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #31 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:31:50 PM »

I have heard horror stories about having an animal micro chipped... It is a tough call to make.... collar vs. micro chipped!

How long do i have to wait before she can start to go outside after the op?

Mark · « **Reply #30 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:26:43 PM »

She will be fine. Might be a good idea to get her microchipped while she is under. It doesn't really hurt but you might as well kill 2 birds

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #29 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:24:31 PM »

I have just called the vets and booked Tiggy in for Thursday 26th March. I am dreading that day now!

Dawn F · « **Reply #28 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:23:32 PM »

they will often chip at the same time as spay - its about £15 I think - otherwise Kittycollars do very good breakaway collars, I used to get mine from them

MrsR · « **Reply #27 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:22:34 PM »

Your vet do the chips.

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #26 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:21:30 PM »

Where does the micro chipping? I was going to put a collar on Tiggy but it would be one of the ones that is designed to snap open if she gets herself stuck..

Dawn F · « **Reply #25 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:17:12 PM »

my garden is catproofed so they can't get out so I don't have collars, they are chipped though

MrsR · « **Reply #24 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:15:30 PM »

Quote from: Tiggys Mum Tracey on March 16, 2009, 13:13:25 PM

I have another question...

When she is ready to go outside I was planning on taking her out with a harness and lead on and walking her around the front and back garden before I let her have a run around. Do your cats have collars and a name discs on with a bell or not? I have had mixed views on this.

None of my cats have collars on, for me personally I have seen too many collar injuries but its a very personal view on this and I think everyone has there own opinions on it. All my guys are microchipped.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #23 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:13:57 PM »

OO here's another helping tip for you....I know it will be very tempting but leave the lampshade collar on her after her op, not only will it spare you both the anxiety of her pulling her stitches out it also keeps them from diving all over the place!

Cat not stitches lol!

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #22 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:13:25 PM »

I have another question...

When she is ready to go outside I was planning on taking her out with a harness and lead on and walking her around the front and back garden before I let her have a run around. Do your cats have collars and a name discs on with a bell or not? I have had mixed views on this.

MrsR · « **Reply #21 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:10:43 PM »

Quote from: Tiggys Mum Tracey on March 16, 2009, 13:09:05 PM

Thank you both. I am so soft with her and treat her more like a child than a cat!

Think we all do, my furbabies are my babies and not just cats.

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:09:05 PM »

Thank you both. I am so soft with her and treat her more like a child than a cat!

MrsR · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2009, 13:02:02 PM »

We understand hunnie honest

Dawn F · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2009, 12:59:49 PM »

it would be weird if you didn't worry - at least you can talk to us, we all understand!

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2009, 12:58:23 PM »

Thanks MrsR and Dawn. I just get so worried about her going in for the op as she is tiny and I love her to bits. I was the same when my Bramble (rabbit) went in for his chop op!

Dawn F · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2009, 12:56:56 PM »

I agree with MrsR - take two days anyway and go shopping!

MrsR · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2009, 12:55:59 PM »

Quote from: Tiggys Mum Tracey on March 16, 2009, 12:54:02 PM

I am going to book some time off of work so I can stay with her after the op and make sure she has a quick recovery. Will 2 days be enough?

Any of my guys were a bit subdued after the GA but by the evening back to there normal self. Take whatever time you feel you need sweetie.

MrsR · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2009, 12:54:37 PM »

Quote from: Tiggys Mum Tracey on March 16, 2009, 12:51:29 PM

I am so worried about taking her in as she is my little baby.

You will be, we all are and there are countless worried posts on Purrs from people who have taken there babies in to be done but they have all been fine - just make sure you come onto Purrs when your furbaby goes in as we will all be here to support you sweetie.

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2009, 12:54:02 PM »

I am going to book some time off of work so I can stay with her after the op and make sure she has a quick recovery. Will 2 days be enough?

Dawn F · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2009, 12:53:31 PM »

I've only ever had to have one of mine spayed because the others all came as adults from rescues and were already done and I was terrified but the vets rang me at the lunchtime to say it was done and that I could come in at 5 to pick her up and I could hear her shouting in the background!! (not because anything was wrong, she is a bengal with a big mouth!) anyway she was back to her normal self that evening

MrsR · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2009, 12:53:11 PM »

Hun I had had cats for years and years and they'd come to me alway done or if they didn't I got them done straight away but when we got Elvis it was at the weekend and obviously had to wait for the vets to open on Monday to book her in, anyway during that weekend Elvis started doing this really weird thing I'd never seen before and sounded in so mucj pain and I was in bits as though she was in real bad pain so called out the emergency vet and rushed her in only to be told "its ok she is in season"

I felt such a petuna! We all learn.

Tiggys Mum Tracey · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2009, 12:51:29 PM »

Thank you everyone for your help.

I am so worried about taking her in as she is my little baby.

Author Topic: The right time to have my Tiggy spayed (Read 9966 times)