When to neuter?

[Patti]

I've known a few to spaying/neutering that young.

Many breeders spay or neuter before sending out their pet kittens, which is usually around 12 weeks old. Speuter clinics often have a six week or 2lbs limit, most veterinarians I know of prefer a 5lb minimum weight.

 

[Glamouresque]

my vet min. is 2 pounds and 12 weeks.

 

[Brooke]

Thanks for all the replies! You guys are so helpful lol. Okay so my local spay/neuter clinic has a 2 lbs weight minimum and they say the minimum age is 6-8 weeks, but they prefer to wait atleast three* months. They offer a rabies shot at 12+ weeks with the surgery, which would be convenient (not to mention cost effective lol) since he will be needing that soon as well, but it sounds like you guys are recommending to wait a little longer to neuter so the question is.. Should i go ahead and get his rabies shot at 12 weeks or can I wait and do it with the neuter? He's already had his core vaccinations and is going to get his booster in a couple of weeks.

 

[Patti]

I think I would be a little hesitant to give vaccines at the same time of surgery, I would be concerned about adding one more stressor on top of surgery. On the other hand, a neuter is such a simple procedure he would probably be just fine. I guess what I'm saying is there's probably no right or wrong answer but pros and cons to either choice.

 

[DChap]

Tojo was neutered at 13 wks at his breeders vet. He has not had a rabies vaccine. He is a strictly indoors cat.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

My vet prefers to wait until 16 weeks for the rabies shot, apparently there is a study showing it is more effective then, although CA state law says 12 weeks minimum.

I would not want to give a vaccine at the same time as surgery, it's enough stress on their little bodies already with the surgery!

I think that spay/neuter clinics offer it because the average pet owner is less likely to bother bringing kitty back for another procedure...so they figure they will get them while they can. It's just not the best case scenario for the kitten...

 

[Per Lausund]

For my part, I do not castrate (which is the correct term) any males until they are at least 6 mnths old, mostly because 1) whyever do it earlier with all the risks involved in subjecting a very young, low bodyweight cat to sedation, anaesthesia and (medically) unnecessary surgery, 2) I like the males to develop so you can see they are males.
Vaccinating at the same time as sedating/anaesthesising is incredibly dangerous: the sedative will hide any immediate allergic reaction to the vaccine leaving it a tad late to do anything sensible about it, as well as adding another (unnecessary) stressor.
Risk perception: ketamine is dangerous, but early, unnecessary surgery isn't?
One of my favourite rants!

Per

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I guess "unnecessary" is a relative term. Many cat breeders feel the risk of sending out unaltered cats too large, that too many pet buyers neglect to get their cat spay/neutered. So unless a breeder is going to keep kittens until they are more than 6 months of age...

 

[Patti]

I have to agree with Brigitte - I made that mistake once thinking it is a friend, I'm giving the kitten away, they'll get it done - wrong! I'm sure Brigitte can testify to the number of cats (not just Savannahs) that get turned into rescue due to inappropriate urinating and spraying because they have not been altered, or were altered too late and have already established the habit of spraying.

 

[Ashley]

Kovu was 5 months when we got him neutered.