Female strays (cats or dogs) - neutered or not?

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Lacuna

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I was reading one of the threads about unnecessary breeding and it reminded me about a conversation I had last week with a friend about cats, but could equally apply to dogs.

We had a question come up, which was how can you tell if a stray female dog/cat has been spayed? Obviously with the boys its fairly obvious, but we were wondering whether it is something vets can tell from a blood test, examination or just seeing if they eventually come into season...

As an extra thought, (different) friend took in stray cat which was preggers. It had 2 kittens 6 weeks ago which she has homes lined up for (I think), escaped the other night and was 'got' by the local tom. I know the vets can do emergency contraceptive jabs for dogs but does anyone know if the same exists for cats? I'm trying to convince her that nobody needs yet more kittens, least of all the cat, but she says "I would feel terrible if it did that to her..."
 
in cats and bitches there is usually a slight scar where thay have had the op (so middle of their abdomen or a small scar on the left flank on a cat) but with the cat has escaped and the local tom has had a go at then most vet practices will spay cats if taken in the early stages of pregnancy for spaying - there is no jab for cats only one for dogs.
 
Ah - thanks for the info.

I'll pass on the info re spaying escapee cat. We'll have to wait and see if friend will go for it. AM trying my best to persuade her *sigh*
 
If we take on a stray bitch, we do look for tell take scar or slight thickening under the surface of op site, if we are unsure it's opened up anyway, we wont risk sending an entire bitch or female cat out to a new home. If pregnant no matter how far along we will neuter them. I do not agree with allowing rescues to go ahead and produce more of the same when they own predicament was a possible death and bleak future (why repeat the pattern)?
 
You can add the spay info to microchip details.

Even if people don't update the base info stays on record.
 
I was thinking more something that you can look at immediately and say 'she's been done' like when a dog is missing his bits, without needing a scanner? Or trying to find a bloody battery for said scanner :p
 
Some USA shelters tattoo a star in a bitch's groin at spaying. Trouble with scars is a C section scar can be mistaken for a spay scar.

I have kittens spayed at 14 weeks so they only have two stitches - you don't see a scar.
 
A vet or experienced handler would be able to tell quite quickly from a simple examination. The surgery for spaying leaves a build up, large or small of scar tissue, which can be easily felt by the trained hand. The very trained hand will also be able to feel the internal structure with a little feel.

I am pretty sure most re-homing centres ensure that all animals are neutered before being re-homed but I do know of at least two that don't and I find it extremely irresponsible.
 
s4sugar said:
Some USA shelters tattoo a star in a bitch's groin at spaying. Trouble with scars is a C section scar can be mistaken for a spay scar.

I have kittens spayed at 14 weeks so they only have two stitches - you don't see a scar.
Click to expand...

My vets are saying I have to wait until my two kittens are over 6 months old before they'll take them in for their respective speying and neutering. In fact, none of the vets around here will take them in for the op any younger. It's a real pain having to keep the cats in for so long (especially with 4 kids off during the summer hols and who keep forgetting to shut windows and close doors behind themselves GRRRRRR); plus the last female kitten we had got pregnant before the vet was prepared to spey her. (She escaped for a few hours from the small downstairs toilet window, on one occasion - but it was long enough for her to get herself up-the-duff.)

These new kittens are going to be wearing chastity belts before long! Wish vets around here would spey sooner.
 
most of the vets in our area will neuter males as soon as they start showing signs (usually from 4 months) and female cats can be done from 5 months or they are at our local practice
 
I'll see if any breeders in your area know a vet that will spay sooner -most will neuter males a 4 months though.
 
We have started neutering at 4 months now for our local rescue centre as they just havent got the space to keep them and they want to rehome them once they are done. They did have a campaign where they wanted us to neuter im sure at 12 weeks which we refused.

Another local rescue i was told take the cats ear tip off when spaying if they are releasing them back where they were from so they can identify easily which have been neutered and which need doing.

xx
 
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