Spay/Neuter FAQs

Spay/Neuter Information

Don't Wait! Fix Your Cats And Kittens At 3-4 Months Old

We recommending spaying/neutering healthy kittens when they are between 3 and 4 months old, as long as they are at least 2 1/2 pounds (kittens usually achieve this weight when they are 8-12 weeks old). Females can begin going into heat and males can begin impregnating females and spraying/marking their territory as early as 4 months old. Spaying/neutering your pets at 3-4 months old before they hit puberty prevents associated problematic behaviors such as urine marking, yowling, aggression, etc. and provides many health benefits for your pets.

Don't wait! If you have a male and a female kitten, and you decide to wait until they are 6 months old to fix them, you might find yourself caring for a litter of up to 10 more kittens by the time the original 2 kittens are 6 months old.

And kittens having kittens when they are not yet fully grown/mature makes complications for the mother and the kittens more likely. Several pregnancies with only short periods in between can also be detrimental to your cat's health.

And remember, they don't care if they are brother and sister, mother and son, father and daughter, grandma and grandson, etc. They can start mating as early as 4 months old, have up to 10 kittens per litter, 2 to 3 times a year, and more than 1 male can sire a litter of kittens. And, if a female doesn't mate during her heat cycle, she may go back into heat within several days of her estrus cycle ending. Even if she does mate and have kittens, she can begin going into heat again within a few weeks of giving birth, even while she is still nursing.

Wellness Exams Are Highly Recommended Before Spay/Neuter Surgery

It's important to bring your pets to your regular veterinarian for a full wellness exam before your pet's spay/neuter surgery to help minimize the chance of surgical complications.

It's also important to consult with your veterinarian regarding the best age to spay/neuter your dog. While we recommend spaying/neutering most dogs before they hit puberty, which can be as early as 4-5 months old, recommended spay/neuter ages can vary with different breeds.

E-Collars, Suture, And Pain Medication

We recommend e-collars for all dogs that are scheduled for spay/neuter surgery to prevent post-operative complications which could result from the dog licking/chewing the incision site. You can bring your own e-collar on the morning of surgery, or you can purchase one at the clinic for $15 to $25 depending on the size needed. We recommend the e-collars which look like inflatable donuts (which we carry at the clinic) rather than the older style cones. This way, your dog will be able to eat with the e-collar on and will be less likely to walk into things.

All suture used at the clinic for spay/neuter surgery is absorbable, so you will not need to return to the clinic for suture removal.

Your cat or dog will be given pain medication while at the clinic for spay/neuter surgery. Cats do not normally need any additional pain medication, and we will provide you with additional pain medication to take home for your dog (already included in the spay/neuter price.) Please do NOT administer any other medication to your cat or dog unless you are directed to do so by a licensed veterinarian.

Cryptorchidism In Male Cats And Dogs

Occasionally, males may have a condition known as cryptorchidism, where either one or both of the testicles have failed to descend into the scrotum. In many cases, the retained testicle(s) will be located in the abdomen or inguinal canal.

Cats and dogs with one or two undescended testicles should be neutered. If a retained testicle is not removed, the animal will have a higher risk of developing health conditions such as testicular cancer or spermatic cord torsion, and he will also be likely to display unsterilized male behaviors such as urine marking and aggression.

Because of the additional time and expense involved in neutering a cryptorchid cat or dog, there may be an additional charge. Cryptorchid male cats are usually charged the price of a spay (rather than the price of a neuter.) The price to neuter a cryptorchid male dog varies greatly depending on the size of the dog, position of the retained testicle(s), etc. If you have a cryptorchid dog, contact us about bringing your dog in to be assessed by the veterinarian so we can provide you with an accurate price estimate.

Female Cats and Dogs That Are In Heat

Female cats may be fixed while they are in heat. However, we usually recommend rescheduling your appointment for your female dog if she is in heat at the time she is scheduled to be spayed.

Brachycephalic Breeds (Dogs And Cats With Short Muzzles/Noses And Flat, Pushed-In Faces)

Certain breeds of dogs and cats are prone to difficult, obstructive breathing because of the shape of their head, muzzle and throat. Brachycephalic (short-headed) cat breeds such as Persians and dog breeds such as pugs, Boston terriers, English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Pekingese, Japanese chins, and some Shih Tzus have flattened faces and short muzzles and noses. Because of this, their throat and breathing passages are frequently undersized, flattened, and/or overcrowded with soft tissue, creating breathing difficulties and a higher risk of complications while under anesthesia.

CSTAR highly recommends having your bracycephalic dog (or cat) fixed at a traditional veterinary practice rather than at a low-cost clinic. Even though we continuously work to ensure that we deliver the highest standard of care to every animal that comes through our doors, and we are fully prepared to handle potential complications which can result from anesthestic reactions, surgery, allergic reactions to medications, etc., a patient with a health condition such as bracycephalia may need more sophisticated monitoring and more speciliazed instruments, and the cat or dog should be fixed in a setting more equipped to handle the pet's specific health condition.

Spay/Neuter Surgery Without Vaccinations

Spay/neuter surgery prices remain the same even if your cat or dog does not need/receive vaccinations at the time of surgery. Please see our spay/neuter FAQ and vaccine FAQ pages to confirm that your kitten or puppy is old enough for spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations and to help you determine whether your cat or dog is due for vaccination at the time of surgery. If your cat or dog isn't old enough or isn't due to be vaccinated at the time spay/neuter surgery is performed, you will be responsible for getting your pet vaccinated at your own expense in the future. Vaccinations can be scheduled at a future Spay Our Strays Clinic for $20 each.

Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance

If you are unable to afford to fix your cat or dog, or if you are trapping and fixing large colonies of feral cats and are unable to afford all of the spay/neuter surgery costs, visit Financial Assistance for a list of organizations you can contact for help.

More updates are on their way soon!

This page is still being worked on. More information regarding cat and dog spay/neuter, why spay/neuter is important, and frequently asked questions about spay/neuter will be coming soon.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to call our appointment and information line at (856) 208-SPAY.

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	©2020 CSTAR Animal Care (856) 53-STRAY \| (856) 537-8729 info@cstarnj.org \| www.cstarnj.org		©2020 Spay Our Strays Clinic (856) 208-SPAY \| (856) 208-7729 info@sosclinic.org \| www.sosclinic.org