BTAH

During a spay, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, your kitten’s uterus and ovaries will be removed to prevent her from reproducing litters of offspring.  Also, if performed before the first heat cycle, your cat’s future chances of breast cancer are virtually zero.  We recommend performing this procedure between three and six months of age.  The night before your cat’s scheduled surgery, dinner will be offered no later than 8 pm, and no further meals will be offered afterwards.  This is important to ensure there is no food in the stomach at the time of surgery.  Water should not be restricted.  You and your cat will be welcomed by one of our staff members who will explain the surgical procedure and recommend pre-anesthetic blood work.  Just like with humans, certain underlying medical conditions such as liver or kidney disease may exist and go undetected.  It is best to check a blood sample before undergoing surgery to ensure all looks great.  If her blood work is in great shape, we will continue by administering medication for pain prior to surgery.  Your cat will be given a sedative, and an endotrachial tube will be placed into your cat’s windpipe to administer oxygen and inhaled medicine to keep your pet anesthetized during the surgery.  We will shave hair on her belly and clean the area well preparing for surgery.  An incision is made, and the ovaries and uterus will be removed.  Sutures will be placed, and your cat will recover slowly and painlessly from anesthesia.  We will notify you after your kitten has recovered safely from anesthesia.  During your pre-scheduled release time, we will thoroughly discuss all post-op instructions including medications dispensed and care for the incision.  She will return in 10 days to have the doctor inspect the surgical site for proper healing and remove the sutures.  If you would like to have your kitten declawed, it would be easier on her and more cost-effective to have this procedure performed at the same time.