Surgery to remove reproductive organs from cats is called spaying or neutering. Surgical intervention is performed for those cats whose owners do not want to continue to receive offspring from their pet and engage in breeding.
Removing reproductive organs from pregnant cats is a separate topic that needs attention. Only a veterinarian can determine whether a pregnant cat can be spayed. In the vast majority of clinical cases, experts strongly do not recommend performing surgery on a female during the period of gestation of kittens due to the high risks of developing complications that can lead to serious consequences.
Sterilizing a pregnant cat is a last resort in special cases.
Why is surgery dangerous during pregnancy?
There are enough factors that are an obstacle to sterilization of an ordinary cat that is not in a state of pregnancy. Direct contraindications to surgical manipulation are:
- pathological conditions in the body of a chronic nature that are in the acute stage;
- a severe weakening of the body's defenses, resulting from exhaustion due to starvation or the development of serious infectious diseases.
Important! Highly qualified veterinary specialists rarely agree to perform surgery on a cat bearing kittens. This is primarily due to the high risk of damage to the endometrium during embryo removal.
As a rule, when there is an indication for sterilization of a pregnant cat, veterinarians perform an ovariohysterectomy, or, in other words, remove not only the fetuses, but also the uterus and ovaries itself.
Can a neutered cat become pregnant? A sterilized cat can become pregnant, but a neutered one cannot. The main difference is in the technique of performing the operation to remove the reproductive function. The very concept of sterilization does not imply the removal of reproductive organs. The cat's tubes are tied, which over time can begin to function as before. But with castration, which involves the complete removal of not only the uterus, but also the fallopian tubes and appendages, the possibility of pregnancy is excluded.
Carrying out any surgical intervention during a cat’s pregnancy is fraught with risks of complications. The main danger is that during the gestation of kittens, the uterus, filled with embryos, is highly blood-supplied. During manipulation, there is a risk of bleeding. It is important to note that the seam from such sterilization will be much longer than with conventional manipulation.
It is not recommended to carry out sterilization while the cat is carrying kittens and due to the long rehabilitation period. This is due to physiological changes and hormonal imbalances in the animal’s body.
In early pregnancy
Sterilization of a pregnant cat should be carried out in a veterinary hospital. Even in the very early stages, the animal experiences severe stress, but during this period the risks of developing complications are minimal. In some cases, you can call a veterinarian to your home.
Note! In the event of complications and critical situations that directly threaten the health of the animal, it is necessary to urgently connect equipment, which can only be found in a veterinary clinic. It is also important that after sterilization the animal is under medical supervision for some time.
Late sterilization of a cat
Whether it is possible to sterilize a cat during late pregnancy should also be determined exclusively by a specialist. Just the owner's desire is not enough. There must be serious reasons for prescribing surgery. The longer the gestation period for kittens, the higher the risk of developing all sorts of consequences that are extremely dangerous not only for the health, but also for the life of the animal. If the owner understands that the cat is expecting offspring, it is necessary to contact a veterinary clinic for advice as soon as possible. The animal will undergo all necessary tests and studies.
Important! The optimal period when you can still undergo sterilization and avoid consequences is from 1 to 6 weeks of pregnancy .
In what cases is a pregnant cat sterilized?
The operation allows us to reduce the number of stray animals and maintain the purity of the population when it comes to purebred cats.
Let us emphasize once again that if the animal is in a position, the operation is carried out only in cases where it is really necessary.
This includes the following situations:
- During an examination by a veterinarian, it was discovered that the fetuses in the cat’s uterus were dead. This also includes cases of detection of congenital deformities and developmental anomalies of kittens.
- If the owner suddenly discovered that his fifteen-year-old pet suddenly decided to become a mother again. At such an advanced age, bearing and giving birth to kittens is a very risky undertaking. If the cat is already weak, it is better to sterilize it in advance.
- The cat will have to be sterilized in all cases where the veterinarian has discovered aggressive neoplasms, or the pet has been diagnosed with a dangerous infection, to suppress which it will be necessary to use powerful (and toxic antibiotics, antifungal drugs, etc.). In any case, the fetal body will not survive the use of this “chemistry”.
But! We would like owners of pregnant cats who are in good health and age to always remember one simple circumstance: in such cases, the best solution is to allow their pet to safely carry and give birth. Otherwise, there is a very high probability of developing severe hormonal pathologies.
In addition, other complications are possible:
- Severe internal bleeding. The uterus is an organ that, in any case, is very demanding in terms of blood supply, and during pregnancy its need for nutrients and oxygen increases further. Because of this, any surgical intervention during this period is fraught with serious blood loss, which cannot always be stopped.
- The problem is aggravated by the fact that the cat's uterus itself is very long, and its tissues are densely permeated throughout with a complex network of blood vessels. It is extremely easy to make a mistake during an operation, and the cost of a mistake is high - the cat will bleed to death in a few seconds. It may be physically impossible to provide timely assistance in such situations.
- Stress and other problems of psychological etiology. The cat’s body “knows” about pregnancy, and therefore its sudden interruption can lead to depression and other behavioral oddities.
- The likelihood of septic processes is much higher. Especially in cases where the uterus, filled with decay products of dead fetuses, is removed.
- Since some of the drugs used for anesthesia will inevitably enter the body of the fetus, calculating the dose can be extremely difficult. Because of this, the anesthesiologist can easily make a mistake: either the volume of medication will be insufficient, as a result of which the animal will wake up during the operation, or excessive (in which case the cat may not wake up at all).
Before deciding to sterilize a pregnant cat, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons. If the risks are too great, then it is better to give the cat the opportunity to bear offspring.
Often in practice we have to deal with a deep-rooted myth: supposedly a cat must give birth before sterilization. In fact, this is a dangerous and stupid misconception. On the contrary, if an animal is operated on early, the risk of mammary cancer and other gynecological pathologies is sharply reduced.
The consequences of an incorrectly performed operation during this period are very serious:
- Inflammation of the sutures.
- Peritonitis.
- Aspiration pneumonia.
- Hormonal pathologies.
Indications for termination of pregnancy and sterilization
Is it possible to spay a cat during heat?
Extirpation of the uterus and appendages during pregnancy of a cat is prescribed extremely rarely and only if there are serious reasons for this. As a rule, this is the development of pyometra or a malignant tumor diagnosed in the uterine area. Whether a cat can become pregnant after sterilization depends only on what kind of procedure was performed. If reproductive organs were removed during surgery, the possibility of further fertilization and pregnancy is excluded.
Pathological changes in the uterus with fetuses
After sterilization or castration, which is more appropriate for such manipulation, the cat’s body will continue to produce female hormones estrogens for more than 40 days. After castration, hormonal levels decrease, and the cat itself becomes affectionate and flexible.
Sterilization of a cat during pregnancy can be carried out only in extreme cases when clinically indicated:
- disruption of fetal development in the womb;
- disease of the mother cat, provoked by the onset of pregnancy;
- advanced age of the pet and the presence of chronic diseases.
In some clinical cases, hysterectomy is indicated even in later stages. This will avoid the death of the cat. It is recommended to sterilize a cat during pregnancy with a short interval between previous births, as well as during pregnancy and lactation.
For your information! Surgical intervention to remove the reproductive organs is indicated when a kitten becomes pregnant under 4 months of age.
An indication for manipulation is also the risk of giving birth to kittens with serious congenital defects.
Pyometra in a cat
If there is no choice, then when is it better: early or late pregnancy?
If the owner is firmly confident in his decision to sterilize a pregnant cat, then this procedure should be carried out as early as possible. The optimal period is approximately 3 weeks from the moment of conception. But even this case excludes the preservation of the cat’s uterus after the procedure.
At later stages, veterinarians do not recommend surgery at all, since the pet’s chances of survival are reduced many times over. Such cats are highly likely to develop disorders in the endocrine system, problems with the glands, and even cancer problems.
Only the owner decides whether to undergo such a dangerous operation in a pregnant cat or not. Before the procedure, it is necessary to clarify all the details and consequences of the procedure, have the cat tested to ensure its good health and give preference to only highly qualified veterinarians for sterilization.
Stages of the procedure
Is it necessary to sterilize a cat: what will happen if you don’t?
Castration in cats is a serious abdominal operation performed under general anesthesia. The steps of the operation include:
- Mandatory preparation, vaccination is required (according to plan), as well as antiparasitic complex treatment against helminths and ectoparasites. Before the scheduled day of surgery, it is recommended to keep the cat on a fasting diet for at least 10 hours.
- Preparing a pet for a planned operation in a veterinary clinic includes an examination and taking the necessary blood and urine tests. If there are possible deviations, the doctor will not be able to perform surgery. Next, the animal is weighed to determine the exact dose of the drug. The animal, which is in a deep stage of sleep, is placed on the operating table. The fur is removed from the intended incision site and treated with antiseptic solutions.
- Carrying out the operation. The surgeon creates access by cutting through the abdominal tissue. When carrying out planned sterilization of a non-pregnant cat, tissue dissection is carried out from the side. A larger incision is required to remove the uterus and fetuses. Ligatures are applied to compress large vessels that fill the uterus with blood. This will prevent serious bleeding. Next, the uterus and appendages are removed and special sutures are applied.
The operation begins with the administration of anesthesia
In the early stages
Sometimes owners manage to detect pregnancy in a cat in a timely manner and save themselves from unwanted consequences by performing an operation to sterilize the animal. If you contact a qualified specialist in a timely manner, you can minimize the risk of complications. Early spaying of a pregnant cat is considered optimal between the first and sixth weeks. It is recommended to carry out the procedure directly in a stationary veterinary clinic. If you do not want your pet to worry too much, you can also call a doctor at home. However, it is worth considering that if critical situations arise that threaten the health of the animal, an urgent connection to specialized medical equipment may be required. Access to such equipment can only be provided in the clinic. It is also recommended that the cat be under the supervision of specialists for some time after the procedure.
How will the cat behave after surgery?
The postoperative period for a pregnant cat is much longer and more difficult than for non-pregnant females. Due to the fact that the seam is much larger, the care of the animal must be special. The animal may sleep for a long time after the operation, and it is difficult to recover from anesthesia.
Rehabilitation period
Is it possible to spay a dog while in heat?
It is recommended to use a special carrier to transport and transport the operated animal. During the period when the cat is in the stage of medicated sleep, all processes decrease and body temperature drops. Hypothermia may occur, so it is recommended to additionally insulate the pet by covering it with a blanket and placing a heating pad in the back area.
Important! Animals do not close their eyes during anesthesia. Due to the risks of severe drying out of the corneal layer and the development of an inflammatory process, the owner must periodically close the animal’s eyes or instill special drops.
It is necessary to care for the operated animal very carefully, noting any changes in the condition. It is important to treat the seam with antiseptic solutions. In order to prevent the development of a bacterial infection, doctors prescribe a mandatory course of antibiotics.
The speed of rehabilitation of an animal after surgery directly depends on the development of complications, the age of the pet and the presence of chronic diseases.
Care and care after surgery
Animals sterilized during pregnancy require special care afterward to prevent possible complications. After rehabilitation, the pet, as a rule, becomes calmer and more affectionate, and the aggressiveness that appeared due to hormonal changes during sexual arousal disappears.
Immediately after surgery, the cat should be placed in a warm, dark, and soft place until the anesthesia wears off.
Recovery is quite painful; therefore, while the animal is recovering, you should not contact it. This is especially true for disturbances from children and other pets.
During the rehabilitation process, the owner must take care of the condition of the scar, make sure that it does not get wet or fester, that it is dry and clean. Typically, a postoperative scar heals in 7-10 days.
In addition, during the recovery process the cat is prescribed antibiotics and vitamin preparations. You should also wipe your pet's eyes with contact lens solution so that they open normally after using anesthesia.
Special clothing can be used so that the post-operative suture heals faster and the scarring process proceeds as expected.
We recommend reading the article about food for sterilized cats.
Possible consequences
Consequences after surgery to remove reproductive organs in a pregnant cat are not uncommon. You should contact a veterinary clinic if your pet exhibits the following signs:
- refusal to eat for more than 3 days after surgery;
- change in body temperature: increase to 39.5 °C after surgery on days 3-5;
- severe swelling at the location of the suture;
- the appearance of purulent discharge in the area of the wound surface and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
The animal's apathetic state, lethargy and severe drowsiness should also be a cause for concern for the owner.
Features of sterilization during pregnancy
If it is impossible to avoid such an operation, the veterinarian will tell you how to prepare your pet and what is special about such a surgical intervention. The uterus of a pregnant cat can accommodate several fetuses.
This makes the operation of retrieving embryos difficult, sometimes even risky. When fetuses are removed, uterine tissue is almost always damaged. And veterinarians are forced to remove the organ along with the ovaries.
Compared to simple sterilization, extirpation of a pregnant uterus is a complex, dangerous procedure that can only be performed by well-trained specialists. If the owner values his pet and wants to protect it from any dangers, he must be selective in choosing a veterinarian and a veterinary clinic.
Pros and cons of spaying a pregnant cat
After sterilizing a pregnant cat, the owner may encounter pleasant and negative moments. After castration, the cat becomes significantly more docile, aggressiveness and attempts to leave the house during the period of sexual heat disappear. The disadvantages of the operation include the risks of complications - hemorrhages and inflammatory processes if the rules of surgical manipulation are violated.
There are pros and cons
Proper care after surgery includes changing your diet. The cat needs to choose the food that is indicated for castrated animals, which will prevent the development of diseases of the heart, blood vessels and urinary system, and will also protect the pet from gaining excess weight and developing obesity.
Thus, sterilization of a cat in position is a last resort that can only be prescribed by a veterinarian. It is carried out only when there is a question of saving the life of a pet. No doctor will simply undertake surgery in this situation.
What problems can sterilization solve?
Positive results of sterilization of pregnant cats:
- The cat stops looking for partners to mate with.
- The birth rate of stray individuals is controlled.
- Pets do not get infected from street cats.
Advantages of sterilization:
- There is no discomfort during estrus.
- The number of homeless animals is regulated.
- The spread of infections is reduced.
We suggest you read: How often do cats give birth?
Flaws:
- The valuable qualities of the breed are lost in cats with good breeding data.
- Anomalies in the development of internal organs after surgical procedures at an early age.
- Pets over 10 years old do not tolerate resection well.
Sterilization is carried out 2-3 weeks after the cessation of activity of the mammary glands, so that her health does not deteriorate. After surgery, pets continue to mark their territory, despite the lack of an instinctive need for this; many retain their habits. Four-legged animals are accustomed to cleanliness and good behavior from childhood, so their behavior does not change after surgery.
Today, almost all cat lovers admit that sterilization of their pets is a necessity. But the need for surgery sometimes arises at the most unexpected time. As a rule, this is due to medical indications. Sterilization of a pregnant cat is performed only in emergency cases when it is really necessary.
What is the essence of sterilization?
The sterilization procedure consists of surgically removing the ovaries from a female animal, while preserving the uterus and other reproductive organs. There is a similar operation performed on cats. It's called castration. In this case, the cats' testes are removed. If a similar operation is performed on cats, the uterus is also removed.
The spaying procedure involves removing the cat's ovaries.
Removal of the uterus is practiced to prevent the cat from contracting various diseases. These can be inflammations of various natures, as well as cancer. From a physiological point of view, to interrupt the reproductive function of an animal, it is enough to remove only the ovary, and the uterus can remain intact.
After this operation, your cat will gradually stop producing estrogen over the course of a month. As a result, the hormonal levels will decrease and she will become calm. In this way, you can quickly rid the animal of unnecessary aggressiveness both towards other members of the cat family and towards people.
Removal of the uterus is practiced to prevent the cat from contracting various diseases.
However, there are factors that interfere with sterilization:
- weakened condition of the animal as a result of prolonged starvation;
- presence of diseases;
- state of pregnancy.
If in the first two cases you have to resort to replacement therapy with hormonal drugs, such as Contrasex, then in the case of pregnancy, the decision about possible sterilization will be made by a veterinarian. The fact is that, despite its relative simplicity, such an operation can have a fairly serious impact on the animal’s body. Any type of operation is especially dangerous when the cat is pregnant, because this can lead to both her death and the death of the kittens.
The optimal age for sterilizing a cat is considered to be 7-8 months.
The optimal age for sterilizing a cat is considered to be 7-8 months. It is undesirable to carry it out earlier, since the animal’s body has not yet formed at this time, and therefore there is a high risk of complications. At the same time, there is also no need to delay the operation, since the older the animal, the worse it will tolerate it.
Before surgery, animals over 10 years of age are examined. For example, they donate blood for analysis, have their heart function checked and consult with a cardiologist. This allows the animal to undergo surgery without complications.
Before surgery, animals over 10 years of age are examined
