I want to get Fate (kitten) neutered

[Bonkers]

Our normal vet won't do it until he is 5 to 6 months, he is 3 months now. I know it is possible to get it done earlier, but does anyone have any information on if it is bad or harmful to get it done earlier? He does have his *ahem* items to be removed already.

[eaglesprings]

You might check with Oak Ridge Animal Clinic. I can't remember how old our kittens were when we had them spayed, but it seems to me that they were younger than five months. Body weight may have more to do with it, too. How big a boy is he? LOL!

Oops, Bonkers, I just remembered -- one of our kittens actually did go into heat before we "did the deed," so I guess they were probably around six months. Still, I don't remember hearing when we were checking around for prices that we had to wait. I'd call around. I will say they got excellent care at Oak Ridge, and recuperated really fast!

[Wilson]

According to SNAP: (http://www.snapus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Commonly_Asked_Spay_Neuter_Que stions)
"with advanced techniques and safer anesthetic drugs, a growing number of animals are being spayed or neutered at 3 to 6 months of age."

I couldn't find anything but MYTHS about early surgery. If I were you, I'd give SNAP a call and have them do it.

[eaglesprings]

A neuter is a little less intrusive than a spay, is that true?

Honestly, I'd think the sooner, the better, but of course you want to be safe. We had some rescues one time we took to the Conroe Humane Society. I am sure they were younger than five months! But, husband didn't like the "feel" of the place, and fretted over taking them there. But, we still have one of those cats, and she's fine. Since you are having some issues, I'd sure call and check around. (I can't remember, but I don't think this was the "Snap" program. I think it was just something they animal shelter in Conroe does).

[msucowboy97]

now I dont know about cats. But I had to wait until my Boston was 5 months old. He needed eye surgery to fix his cherry eye. But they asked me to wait at least to 5 months so can be put under. My vet said they would fix him for free due to the fact that i asked about it. They said that my Boston had the markings and size of a perfect dog for breeding and most likely it was because of the cherry eye that they didnt.

[cgwoolf]

When I adopted my 2 kittens from SPCA several years ago they were very tiny about 6-8 weeks. They told me to bring them back that same month, which I did and they spayed and neutered them at that time - no problems at all.

[msmichellemiller]

We had some rescues one time we took to the Conroe Humane Society. I am sure they were younger than five months! But, husband didn't like the "feel" of the place, and fretted over taking them there.

That would be the same shelter I always refer to as "that horrid place".:p
I swear something about it (staff/smell/conditions) so made me think I was in a Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie and that place had some sort of secret evil behind it. <shudders> Our little dog was very traumatized for the first day that she was home. Skin and bones, too. I realize it could have to do with whatever brought her to the shelter in the first place but like your husband, my instincts just told me something was not right about that place.

[eaglesprings]

Ms. Michelle: Perhaps. I don't know -- I wasn't there, but I'm guessing you have got it right.

I do try not to be too judgemental. They do what they can with the funds (and volunteers) that they have. But, if people are getting turned off?

I don't know. We'll never go back there again, though. Then again, it was a way to get some rescues spayed and neutered that we could not have afforded any place else.

[Wilson]

Any luck with this, Bonkers? How's Fate doing, with or without surgery?

[Rocks and Pebbles]

I just had our adopted kitten spayed at the shelter and was on pins and needles. If I had more time...the end of the fostering period was up...and it hadn't been Christmas I would have had our vet do it. I picked her up fully expecting the worst...a groggy terrified kitten in pain. She was imaculate, her incision is tiny, slept all the way home but was alert when spoken to,and later when the anesthesia wore off, she ate, hopped on the bed and slept in her usual spot with no sign of discomfort. Practice apparently makes perfect...the most troublefree spay we've ever experienced.

[Bonkers]

I did check around a bit, there is the Abandoned Animal Rescue on Huffsmith that will neuter for $50.00, but there is a waiting list and you have to drive way over there in the weeee hours of the morning.

I ended up taking Fate yesterday to Oak Ridge Animal Clinic. Their prices just went up. When I talked to them a few months ago - it was $75.00 or so...they said they would do it at 6 months. Fate just turned 4 months and they did neuter him with no problem. The cost is now $95.00 though!:eek:

They did a fine job though - Fate is back to his normal bouncing-off-the-wall self!:rolleyes:

[Wilson]

Glad to hear he's doing well :) and it's good to see you!

[1973VW]

OR clinic has changed hands, maybe the reason for the price increase. I have switched to FM 1488 Animal Clinic, except for having to travel 1488. Usually its fine if I make the appt. mid-day. But I allow over 30 minutes. I had been going to Gosling Rd clinic, but the waits are always long and the cats roaming the clinic make my allergies terrible. The vet talks non-stop and gets behind. I showed up there last week and she was walking out the door for a few hours, told me blithely to come back "later". My time is worth something, so I made an appt at 1488 where I have been taking rescues.

[Wilson]

Where on 1488? I've been using Gosling and put up with a lot of those issues because I think the prices cannot be beat... is 1488 in that price range?? It may be a lot closer to me.

[schnauzermom]

I have some neighbors that use the 1488 vet and like them a lot. I'll be taking ours their in a few months. I think it's closer to 1488 and 2978.

[Bonkers]

Thank you Wilson! I'm so busy lately I hardly have time to surf the internet! (oh boo hoo)

I'm very happy with the new vet at OR. He doesn't do anything unnecessary which is a good thing with my small army.:D

Spanky has had to go back to him for her skin conditions. (she has a staff infection) He talked to me without seeing her between visits, put her on an expensive antibiotic to try and alleviate her suffering, and when that didn't work saw her a week later. The bill was $86.00 for a month of new antibiotics, three weeks of steroids, a nail trim, and aspirating and checking out a new lump she has acquired on her leg.

I couldn't have walked away from VCA without spending $400.00!

He also did a very thorough exam on her - it saddens me to say she is becoming old lately. She will be 8 in March. I am noticing her hearing is going and her energy level is greatly diminished. It seems like yesterday she was a bouncing, chewing, high strung pup! I hate to think of how she is going to break my heart in the coming years. :(