Neutering your kitties...

[Tonya]

I don't remember. Mine may have already been fixed when I got them. My memory has gotten so bad lately!

[leslie]

I have never in my life heard of giving pain medications to a cat after a neuter (which is a non-invasive surgery) or a spay which is more Invasive. Nor have I witnessed any of my cats showing signs of pain after a normal spay or neuter. So that is one medication you should say "no thank you" to. That is pure going for your wallet.
Males can safely be neutered at age 8 weeks. Femals can be spayed at 3 months. There is new technology for males only and I don't know where it is being used but it involves shrinking the testicles instead of surgery. Jan knows more about than I do. I will send this post to her! She can enlighten us on the newest procedure though I don't know that it is being used really anywhere..

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by leslie
I have never in my life heard of giving pain medications to a cat after a neuter (which is a non-invasive surgery) or a spay which is more Invasive. Nor have I witnessed any of my cats showing signs of pain after a normal spay or neuter.

I do not mean to be disagreeable but castration IS invasive. They incise the scrotum, removes the testicles and either suture with dissolving stitches or supeglue the skin together. I know some places are using a newer technology but the procedure my vet uses is surgical excision. As far as the spay - it is like having a hysterectomy. Good grief - I am GLAD to get the Torbugesic (or some type of pain medication) for the babies. It's cheap - about $10 according to catnapper's breakdown and included in the entire fee at my vet's whether we refuse it or not. It also keeps them mildly sedated and comfortable for several hours after the surgery which is desirable for their recovery. I would never refuse the pain medication for them.

[QueenScoopalot]

Originally posted by catnapper
This was a year ago, but here's what I paid (I pulled the bill )

Torbugesic - $10 (what is that???)
Castration - $75
Pre-surgical labwork - $35

I also had a $23 discount after you totaled all those, though I have no idea why.


He was 7 months (we doidn't have the money at 6 months or earlier) Poor guy had it done on New years Eve.

Males shouldn't have any need for pain meds, and for females it's optional. Friends Of Animals has a country wide 'low cost' program, but it covers only the price of the alter. 1-800-321-PETS, or http://friendsofanimals.org/ on the net. My vet charges $35. for males/$45. for females, and $10. for shots (buts that's discounted greatly). Full paying customers can expect double that anyway. I have had kittens altered at 2 LBs. as well with no problems at all. With all the irresponsible peolple in this world, I feel all should be fixed before being adopted. Only in a perfect world *sigh* As far as the shot to shrivel up testicles, I'm not sure its even being used on cats yet. Mutters to self...sure know some people who could use that shot

[catcrazylady]

My vet charges $40 for males and $50 for females. None of my females have ever been given pain medication afterward and I noticed that the younger they are the less pain they seem to be in. The shelter spays and nueters the minute they hit the two pound mark. The kittens all seem to do well with very few after effects. I have always wanted mine to be a little older but sometimes I think it might be best to do it while they are so young and bounce back so quickly. I will soon be having to make that decision with little Rosco and Abigail.

[catmandu]

It been a while,but I think,in Canada,in Hamilton,it runs about $150.

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by QueenScoopalot
Males shouldn't have any need for pain meds,

Try telling my hubby that!!

[Samantha Puppy]

Originally posted by QueenScoopalot
Males shouldn't have any need for pain meds, and for females it's optional.

Okay... Are you married? If so, let's use your husband as a test subject, chop his testicles off and see if he requests pain medications. You can be the test subject for a hysterectomy. Let us know how it goes!!

[QueenScoopalot]

Originally posted by Samantha Puppy


Okay... Are you married? If so, let's use your husband as a test subject, chop his testicles off and see if he requests pain medications. You can be the test subject for a hysterectomy. Let us know how it goes!!

Hubby was neutered years ago...and he still has his testicles believe me! They don't chop anything off! And all he did was itch afterwards....they do shave the things.

[aly]

Believe it or not guys, neutering really is about as non-invasive as you can get. I don't think males need pain meds at all. I 100% agree that whatever vet recommends pain meds for a male is trying to suck you dry It is a very easy procedure and the boys bounce back QUICKLY. I got Skylar, Chance, and Lucky neutered on the same day. They all came home and took a quick nap and then it was all I could do to try to keep them still and prevent them from playing too much.

[aly]

Here's some info on low cost clinics I found for MD



MARYLAND
Feral Cat Program Spay/Neuter Clinic
Clinic location Northwest DC
Managed by Metro Ferals
PO Box 7138
Arlington, VA 22207
703-528-7782
or call Alley Cat Allies 202-667-3630 ext 112
Low cost spay/neuter, testing, and vaccinations for feral or stray cats.

Montgomery County Humane Society
Rockville, MD
240-773-5960
Offers discounts at many veterinary clinics in the area. Call for information

Prince George's County SPCA
Forestville, MD
301-324-0807
www.pgspca.org web site
Call here to learn about the clinic for low cost s/n.

Human Society of Charles County
71 Industrial Park Drive
Waldorf, MD 20604
301-645-8181
Low cost s/n for pets of people with low income. Call for details.

Frederick County Humane Society
1832 Rosemont Avenue
Frederick, MD 21702
301-694-1545
Low cost spay/neuter for pets.

Well Pet Clinic
Lexington Park MD
301-866-0303

The Lucky Ones
37725 Traveled Lane
Charlotte Hall, MD
301-884-2850
www.luckyones.com web site
Low cost spay/neuter clinic.

Montgomery County SPCA
PO Box 637
Gaithersburg, MD 20880
301-948-4266

Animal Welfare Society of Howard County
8556 Davis Road
Columbia, MD 21045
410-465-4350
Low cost spay/neuter clinic as well as low cost vaccinations at time of surgery or at weekly vaccine clinic.

Humane Society of Baltimore County
1601 Nicodemus Road
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-833-4480 or 410-833-8848

Animal Advocates of Howard County
PO Box 1403
Ellicott City, MD 21041
410-880-2488
Offers information about low cost s/n in the area. Also, offers free s/n for pets of people with low income. Also, holds an annual male cat neuter-a-thon for very low price neutering.

Spay Inc.
PO Box 3240
Arlington, VA 22203
703-522-7920
703-521-2677
www.spay.org web site
Help for residents of Maryland, DC, and Virginia.

[catnapper]

I remember now that the vet did say they had given him a pain med, and to not give him anymore. They said that it was for the first night and that by morning he shold be feeling better. But they also said if you give them pain meds to mask the pain, then they are more apt to try and act like normal, where they might actually end up hurting themselves more.

That makes sense to me.... I currently know someone who ust went through a hystorectomy (sp?) and she was told its a 6 week recovery time. After less than one week, she's up and down the steps, lifitng & moving things, etc. All because the pain meds are masking the real pain. She's even admitting that one.

[Samantha Puppy]

Wow! Thanks, Aly! I will definitely be contacting one of the ones close to me, like Frederick or Columbia...

[leslie]

Oh good! Samantha! I am glad to read that you understand things a bit better! good luck!