Is it ok to spay a cat in heat???

[lldaniels21]

Is it ok to spay a cat in heat? Jenna is a year and a half and is in heat. Should I get her spay while in heat (are there any side effects)...or wait till she's done? Thanks.

[catland]

A vet could answer this better - but as far as I know, it is better to wait until she is out of heat. But that might be old advice - things might be different now so you should really make a phone call or two to find out.

But meanwhile keep her locked up and keep the kitty boys away from her

And welcome to PetTalk

[Sevaede]

From my understanding, it is best not to do it while she is in season due to the increased blood flow to that part of the body. I could be wrong, though.

[Sonia59]

I am also not a specialist, but from what I know it's better to wait. There is more risk for the operation if you cat is in heat.

[catnapper]

I do know the operation is much riskier because of the increased blood loss. The vet said they could actually die from losing too much blood. Vets also typically charge a lot more to spay a female thats already in heat.

[lldaniels21]

I got up early this morning just so I could call the vet I called 4 vets in town and they all said that they do spay cats in heat...but charge more

[Sonia59]

But is there a reason why you don't want to wait before she is sterilised?

[lldaniels21]

The shelter where I adopted her from is insisting that I do so. Otherwise...I would wait.

[Sonia59]

May be you can explain them that it's just delayed for one or two weeks because she is in heat. I don't think they will force you to do it now if they is more risk for the cat. That would be stupid from shelter people. I think they just want to make sure the adopted cats will really be spayed. But they could not know she would be in heat right after the adoption.

Scary vets are in your area, it seems they just want to do it for money!! The few vets I know just refuse to do it when the kitties are in heat.

I do not know your kitty except from the pictures, but I would be sad that something happens to her...

[catmandu]

I would put a hold on that Cat, and ask them to wait until the operation will be safer.

[Logan]

Most vets are going to advise against it, probably. But, I had both of my females (Shrimp Boat and Mimi) done while they were in heat and they had no side effects, thank goodness.

Logan

[lv4dogs]

It is safer, cheaper & easier to spay them when they are out of heat as the area has less blood flow & is not as swollen. I worked in a vets office for years and I have seen MANY cats spayed while in heat (most were outside cats, barn cats, etc...) and they had no ill effects. Meko was in heat when she was spayed with no ill effects.

If you can not keep the cat safe from intact males then I would spay her now. Otherwise I'd call the shelter & ask if you could wait 1-3 weeks, if you explain the situation they should be more than willing to allow you the extra time.