My vet mentioned spaying by injection. Is that really possible?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. In some hospitals, especially at academic institutions, spays can be performed laparoscopically, meaning only a couple very small incisions are made in the abdominal wall. A thin camera is placed through one, and another instrument which can grasp/cauterize/cut tissue is inserted through the other. While these procedures are less invasive, the procedure itself takes much longer than a typical, "open" spay. Most spays can be performed in 15-30 minutes, thus minimizing anesthesia times. Laparoscopic spays tend to take 60-90 minutes. I hope this is helpful!

There are a number of newer non-surgical contraception options for cats and dogs including Gonazon, Suprelorin, Neutersol, Esterilsol, and Infertile. However, many of these drugs are still undergoing testing for safety and efficacy. As a result they are only available in certain countries. As more research is done in this area, more reliable drugs are likely to come to market.

The only way to spay a cat is with surgery. They are working on non-surgical sterilization options for cats but right now those are only available for dogs. Your best option is to contact a vet in your area and ask about the procedure. The rate of infection after spay surgery is very low but if that is a concern of yours you can ask the veterinarian to dispense some antibiotics that you can give Lovely after the procedure as a preventive.

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sterilization is a one time procedure. It is best to get this done when they are under one year old. The earliest it can be done is about 4 months of age. Hope this answers your question! Best wishes!

Hello, Rules on vaccination for spaying cats will vary from every independent hospital. I would recommend calling low cost spay and neuter programs in your area to discuss getting her spayed and at minimal, a rabies vaccination. Many hospitals spay trapped feral cats who have never been vaccinated, so I don't think you will have any problem finding someone to help you out. :) I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

The vast majority of vets in practice (as opposed to working in government or industry) are perfectly competent to spay and neuter dogs and cats. Some vets prefer not to do surgery, or have physical limitations that prevent them from doing it. More complicated surgeries often are better left to a board certified veterinary surgeon, but routine spays and neuters are something all vets were trained in. I hope that’s helpful! Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In most cases, rabies and feline RCP (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus) vaccines are required for cats. Most vets do not recommend doing the vaccines for the first time and surgery in the same visit, but a few days in between is usually sufficient. Spaying will prevent your female cat from going into heat, so it will likely deter your male cat from trying to breed.