Spaying my cat: Is surgery the only option? What about infection?

Risks involved in cat spay surgery are minimal, it is a very simple surgery that all vets are comfortable with as well as having a lot of experience performing it (usually several times a week). you should not be worried about having this surgery done for your cat.

IF you do not intend breeding then surgical neutering or possibly long term hormonal implants replaced every 6-12months would be preferable, It is possible to close spay wounds without any additional dressing, usingeither disolvable, internal stitches or suture glue and this would be a permanent solution, reducing the risk of side effects compared to treating life long with human medications which have not been tested in cats (or any patients of that size!).

No, that is not true. Spaying is a very common procedure, and it's typically safe. As with any surgery, there are risks (i.e. infection, bleeding), but dying from the surgery is rare. It won't affect Lily's physical abilities, although she will need a few weeks of rest to heal up from it. And she will be happy. I highly recommend getting it done.

I don't have a number for you - but the risk is very, very low (less than 1%). A spay is a common, everyday, low-risk surgery and the complication rate is extremely low. To provide one anecdotal example: I've been practicing for 7 years, have performed spays weekly, and have never had a spay patient die.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In the US, spaying means removal of the ovaries and/or uterus which is an abdominal (belly) surgery. We do use an injection to put them under anesthesia. In your country there may be an injection that can sterilize her or prevent her from going in to heat (like birth control). I would ask your Vet to clarify if they are recommending a surgical procedure or medical management to prevent kittens. I hope this helps!

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!

The best thing you can do is make sure she is not over weight. Also, when she is spayed, she will need to be separated from any kittens so that they do not injure the incision. I recommend to discuss your concerns with your veterinarian. Things that help a procedure recover if an emergency arises are to make sure bloodwork is done prior to the surgery, that she has an intravenous catheter placed prior to the procedure and that she receives intravenous fluids during the procedure. These will help to keep her safe. Just like human medicine, all sedative procedures have some risk but the vast vast majority of people and pets will do fine. You may consider interviewing a few veterinarians to ask about their protocols and safety record. It's always be to be informed. Having her spayed will provide protection from a variety of other health conditions and is generally safe. I hope this helps.