Getting my cat neutered tomorrow

[Pinkpenguin89]

Tomorrow, my lovely little fluffy baby cat is getting his bits and bobs chopped off.

I feel really guilty, as though I'm putting him through unnecessary pain and stress. He has to fast so hasn't eaten since 8pm, and is currently crying because his food bowl isn't there

I feel really sorry for him.

As he's my first cat, what can I expect tomorrow? How long will be there for? Will he have to wear a cone? I hope not. He will be less than impressed if he does!

Thanks

[Pinkpenguin89]

He's now trying to go outside, it's like he knows what is going to happen and is trying to escape. We can't let him out at night though, partly because he goes out through the window which needs to be closed at night, and partly because last time he went at night he ran across a main road and nearly gave me a heart attack

[thecatneuterer]

The worst part is denying food. After that it will be fine. The operation takes around 10 minutes at most and the vast majority of cats are perfectly normal as soon as they come round. He won't be in any pain, he won't know what has happened,he will just want food.

You do know that he'll need to stay in for a few days though don't you?

[pinkchampagne1]

I have to go through this with my furry baby next month and am feeling all anxious about it too.

[hoppingmad]

Normally you drop them off first thing and collect in the afternoon. The procedure for a Tom is pretty straightforward and he's very unlikely to need a collar. They may suggest a simple dinner in the evening, I always give mine chicken as much for a treat as anything.
Great that you are having him done though, he is highly likely to disappear one day if he stays entire - a lot of males do. Getting into fights and looking all scraggy. You are doing absolutely the right thing, I promise.

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

Don't worry.
I was fostering a rescue cat and had to take him to be done. The vet said to be careful afterwards, try to keep him quiet and not to let him jump around at all. Not sure how I was meant to do that. In the event he seemed to rest naturally and I couldn't see any ill effects.
Hope that helps.

[Pinkpenguin89]

A few days? That's not true is it?? I thought I got him back the same day. I can't leave him there for a few days, I'd be too worried about him.

Everyone I've spoken to so far has said it would be the same day.

Thank you hoppingmad, I'm hoping he won't need a collar. He will be giving me evils for the rest of my life if he does!

He has been starting a few fights with the neighbourhood cats which is not ok, that's the main reason that we're getting him done. That and wandering across main roads in search of a girlfriend!

Pinkchampagne - I will update tomorrow when it's done and hopefully will be able to reassure you a bit. I think not letting him have food is the hardest part, I feel really cruel.

[Pinkpenguin89]

He's naturally quite a restful cat unless one of the neighbourhood cats wanders past so hopefully will be ok in the evening

He's currently staring wistfully outside, clearly planning his great escape for once I've gone to bed.

[Pinkpenguin89]

Thank you very much for the reassurance. I was worried that he would seem really ill tomorrow evening and hate me forever.

I am a little bit over attached to my cat he follows me around everywhere and seems to be quite fond of me too, so I feel bad when I have to be mean.

[CookPassBabtrigde]

It's a really routine operation OP and though he may be grumpy for the first day you'll be surprised at actually how normal he is. Cats tend to just get on with it and not a lot fazes them. And I believe male snips are simpler and quicker than female snips. You will drop him off in the morning, be there for 10 mins then pick him up in the afternoon/evening. He may need a cone depending on how much his stitches are bothering him, but your vet will know more about that.

Our little female baby cat got it done 6 months ago and it was absolutely fine. She didn't seem to care at all in fact - she was just glad to be home when it was over. We were given painkillers for ours and it certainly eased my concience being able to give her something to make sure she wasn't it pain.

On the plus side, it's not unnecessary. It can prevent some cancers, stop spraying and stop a cat roaming looking for a fancy friend and potentially crossing a busy road/getting run over/getting lost.
So really its for the best hope everything goes well!

[thecatneuterer]

No, not stay in the clinic! Stay inside the house without going out:)

[gamerchick]

Tbh he really shouldn't be going out at all intact.. You don't know how many unwanted kittens he's had a hand in if you've been letting him out.

Just be glad he's not spraying all over your house yet.

It has to be done and you'll probably get him back the same day all goes well.

[Pinkpenguin89]

Ooh. that does make more sense

I'm glad to read that it's not unnecessary too. I know deep down that it isn't, but I felt so cruel that I was doubting myself. It will be worth it in the end hopefully

[Pinkpenguin89]

Gamerchick - I know, you're right. I honestly, and probably naively, thought that he was just dozing under a bush under the kitchen window, because that's where he always was if I went out to find him. We were still going to get him done but it wasn't as urgent. Then I saw him running across the road and he hasn't been out for long since.

I do realise I was a little naive to think he wasn't going far.

[CookPassBabtrigde]

I know what you mean because you're putting him through an operation and he doesn't understand why. Not nice in the short term it's best for him long term and helps to keep the kitty population down.

Ours used to be a bit of a wild thing before and started being a bit tarty and yowly until the operation. Now she is more settled and enjoys a quiet life of pottering and snoozing in the garden, and rarely ventures out of it. She seems happy with it!

[gamerchick]

I know.. An intact males only job in the whole world is to make baby cats. That's it. One whiff of an unneutered female a mile away and it's dodge with death in a road or get lost after they've had their wicked way.

A night without food won't hurt (make sure he can't get into your food in the night) and you can spoil him when he's home. I felt dead sorry for ours when she was done but she's just had her first season and I could have happily rung her neck which helped

Don't worry he'll be fine... And be back under his bush in no time.

[Pinkpenguin89]

He's just gone in, I'm going to be on edge all day now

One thing that is bothering me a bit though is that I think I might have spent money where I don't need to.

Basically, the vets I've taken him to is part of a branch. I contacted one near to me last week to book him in and they said he'd need a health check first, so he had that on Monday and they charged me £45.00. They did also give me flea and worm treatment so I'm not sure if I was paying for that (looking online though I think I could have bought I cheaper in a shop).

Anyway, I ended up cancelling his appointment at the initial branch and booking somewhere that was more convenient location wise, and they said that was fine. Today though, they did a health check anyway. The only thing they didn't do today that they did do on Monday was take his temperature. The vet today seemed confused and to why he'd have to have a health check.

It's not a big deal really, but is it normal to have to pay for a totally separate health check before neutering? I hope I haven't been ripped off.

[Pinkpenguin89]

'As to why' not 'and to why', sorry.

[Stinkersmum]

Any kind of operation that involves anaesthetic requires a health check before hand. Anaesthetic is a serious thing and theres always a danger, even to a healthy animal when it is used. Regarding flea, worming treatments, the ones you can buy without a prescription are generally ineffective or dangerous or both.

[Pinkpenguin89]

Thank you stinkersmum - that's what I thought/hoped. All I need to do now I get him to actually eat the worming tablet and we'll all be happy!

[Stinkersmum]

Can you get it into his mouth without too much trouble? If so, shove it as far back as you can, then clamp his mouth shut and blow sharply on his nose - this usually makes cats swallow.

[gamerchick]

I would have Insisted on a health check anyway to makes sure they're fit to be put under.

I wouldn't bother with shop bought treatments. I get the monthly squeeze thing for worms and fleas for the back of the neck and if you're willing to pay a bit extra you can get the squeeze 6 weekly stuff for parasites they can catch from prey. Means no tablets necessary.

I really wouldn't try to cut corners for cheaper just to try rule out the bigger costs if something crops up.

[gamerchick]

Good luck I'm sure he'll be fine.

Vets4pets do a one off 99 quid for 2 health checks a year and vaccinations for life which can help costwise.

[Archfarchnad]

Well done on getting him done! He'll honestly have a much better life now he's not obsessed with impregnating every female around.

If your boy is a serious tablet refuser (ours can taste it even if crushed to powder in strong tasting food), you can get spot-on deworming stuff which is a pipette for the back of their necks. We use Profender, which is the one our vet recommends.

[cozietoesie]

Seniorboy usually visits the vet every two months or so as it's worked out but I'd have him in for checkups anyway - maybe every six months at his age - even if he didn't. Cats will cover up maladies and sometimes it takes an external clinical exam to see if there's something not quite right. I'm sure that there are a considerable number of issues which are picked up by good vets during the course of what may seem to be 'quick checks'.

I also use spot ons. None of my cats have ever accepted tablets - even from the vet - so that's the way for regular treatment in our household.

[Pinkpenguin89]

Thank you so much everyone, you've all been so helpful and reassuring it's good to know that there's an alternative to the tablet too.

I've just phoned the vet and he's all done and he's fine I'll be picking him up in an hour, can't wait to see him!