You may hesitate whether to vaccinate your cat before spaying it. Of course, the choice lies with you, but we still recommend that your cat can remove their uterus and ovaries after vaccination. This will greatly reduce the risk of your cat contracting the disease so that your cat can establish a perfect immune system and recover quickly after the operation. This guide is designed to help you understand the necessity of spaying a cat and vaccination to help your cat stay away from disease and grow up healthy.
Why do you need to spay a cat?
Neutering a female cat refers to the surgery of removing the ovaries and uterus so that they cannot reproduce offspring. Spaying has many benefits for the health and life of female cats.
Avoid trouble during estrus
Female cats are in estrus from spring to autumn every year. During estrus, female cats become irritable and make noises to attract other male cats. The male cats fight and roar for the female cats, affecting the lives of residents. If female cats are spayed, their temperament can be made gentle.
Avoid uterine and breast diseases
Female cats that are not sterilized may have various diseases, such as uterine pus accumulation and breast tumors. These diseases can cause the female cat’s fertility and resistance to decline and endanger its life. Sterilization surgery can avoid the occurrence of these uterine and breast diseases.
Improve life expectancy and health
A female cat without sterilization can give birth to more than a dozen kittens within a year, which is a great burden on the cat’s body. Sterilization can reduce the chance of the female cat being exposed to various physical injuries and dangers, such as infection with diseases, thereby prolonging the life span of the female cat and improving the quality of life.
The age of cat sterilization surgery?
It is best to sterilize cats around 4-6 months, and this should be distinguished according to different breeds. You can consult your veterinarian for details. Cats generally begin to gradually mature sexually at six months and then begin to develop estrus. Therefore, the most suitable time for spaying a cat is 4-6 months. When spaying a cat, make sure that the cat is healthy and not in estrus.
Is sterilization safe?
Cat sterilization surgery mainly includes risks such as anesthesia allergies and intraoperative infections, but the probability of this situation is low and relatively safe. During the anesthesia process, the cat’s uterus and ovaries will be removed, and the cat will not feel pain. After the operation, painkillers will be used to help the cat relieve the pain. Sterilization surgery takes a short time. Usually, 5-20 minutes of sterilization surgery can eliminate the risk of ovarian cancer.
Why should cats be vaccinated?
The immune system of cats is similar to that of humans and can resist the attacks of viruses and bacteria. However, during cat growth, the immune system is not sound enough to completely fight all viruses and bacteria. Therefore, some common cat diseases, such as cat plague, cat rhinotracheitis, etc., may pose a serious threat to cats. Vaccination can help cats strengthen their immune system and improve disease resistance, thereby protecting their health.
Can female cats be spayed without vaccination?
Female cats that have not been vaccinated can be spayed, but it is not recommended that you do so because the following conditions may occur：
- Increased risk of infection. Without vaccination, cats lack antibodies against common viruses (such as the feline plague virus) in their bodies. Sterilization surgery temporarily decreases the cat’s immunity. At this time, if the cat is exposed to the virus, it is easy to get infected.
- The hospital environment is complex. Despite disinfection measures, the possibility of viruses cannot be completely eliminated, especially pathogens such as parvoviruses that are difficult to kill completely.
- Cats recover slowly after sterilization surgery. If they become infected with the virus during this period, it will not only affect the operation’s effectiveness but may also cause more serious complications, even life-threatening ones.
Although unvaccinated cats can be sterilized for the health and safety of cats, it is strongly recommended that the vaccination procedure be completed before the operation. This can greatly reduce the risk of infection after the operation and ensure that the cat can recover smoothly.
WIXBIO’s recommended vaccination plan and sterilization time
8 weeks: First vaccination of FVRCP Vaccine
10 weeks: the first dose of leptospirosis vaccine
11 weeks: Second vaccination of FVRCP Vaccine
12 weeks: Rabies vaccine
13 weeks: Second dose of leptospirosis vaccine
14 weeks: the third vaccination of Biofel PCH emulsion for injection; cat plague vaccine
Note: After vaccination, it will cause needle eyes to be left on the local skin. Cats should not be bathed in a short period of time. Otherwise, it will easily cause local inflammation and affect the effect of the vaccine on preventing diseases.
16 weeks: sterilization surgery
Points of care after de-sexing surgery
Warmth: Keeping the cat warm will help it recover faster.
Dietary management: Water and food feeding should be resumed gradually within four to six hours after the surgery, and attention should be paid to pain management.
Pain medication: Pain medication containing meloxicam can be taken orally or long-lasting pain injections can be given.
Close observation: Pay attention to changes in the color of the oral mucosa and seek medical attention if there is any abnormality.
Prevent licking of the wound: Wear an Elizabethan collar and surgical gown to prevent the cat from licking the wound leading to infection or secondary dehiscence.
Wound care: Disinfect the wound daily and use topical antibacterial spray to promote healing.
Restriction of activities: Try to limit the cat’s strenuous exercise within one week after surgery to prevent wound healing from affecting it.
Conclusion
De-sexing cats and keeping them up to date with vaccinations are important measures to ensure their long-term health and well-being. It is recommended that cats be spayed or neutered when they are 4-6 months old and that all necessary vaccinations are completed according to a detailed vaccination schedule. This not only reduces the risk of infection but also promotes rapid recovery after surgery. Following the guidance of a professional veterinarian to ensure the safety of the surgery and meticulous post-operative care, including warmth preservation, proper dietary management, pain management, and wound care, are all key to helping your cat recover successfully. Through scientific planning and meticulous care, you can provide your cat with the highest quality health management to ensure it grows healthily and enjoys a longer lifespan.