Hi
I was just wondering how many breeders practice early neutering with their kittens before sale. It is commonly done in America but not so much over here.
If anyone does do it would love to know your thoughts!

The rescue centre I volunteer at does early spay and neuter, not as early as the US but a little earlier than normal.

We generally say 12 weeks for males and 16 weeks for females.

The guideline given to us from the antional RSPCA is to try and get it down to 8 weeks for males and 10 weeks for females depending on weight and size but the vets will not yet do it this early, we need to 'wean' them in so to speak by asking them to do it a week earlier each time until we are at our target age.

It seems to work well and I have not seen any negatives from it at all.

In terms of the kittens that I breed myself I dont do it early but would be willing to if a local vet would perform the op for me.

I don't see any problem with it.

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We early spay/neuter our kittens - usually around 14 weeks as fortunately we have a vet who is happy to do it. We keep the boys for a week and the girls for about 10 days afterwards and following a final check up they can go to their new homes. Initially we were against this idea but after the explosion of BYBs decided it would take the worry away if we could have this done. We did look into it quite a bit and spoke to our vet several times before we went ahead. I have to say I was totally amazed at how quickly the kittens recovered - much more so than being done at six months. Touch wood we haven't had any problems to date with any of the kittens done (we have had 4 litters neuted/spayed early now). Our vet, who is a New Zealander, says it is the size rather than the age of the kitten. Our kitten owners appreciate it too.

If you can find a vet to do it then I would say go ahead though do speak to them first and discuss any concerns you have.

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

The Cat Group: Timing of neutering

http://catvet.homestead.com/Early_Ag...ng_Kittens.pdf

some info

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thanks for all the useful advice. I was seriously considering it anyway but was worried re: anaesthetic combinations in such young cats and recovery rates/complications etc but from what I can see there are less complications if done before/around 12 weeks and the best anaesthetic regime would be pre emptive analgesia and Isoflurane as less risks and quick recovery. I have spoke to breeders in America who do it and some rescues are now doing it over here so I am guessing it will eventually become more common.

I would probably get the vaccs done first then go for op at 13 weeks then rehome boys a week later and the girls two weeks later, so it will mean keeping hold of them alittle longer but I am sure owner wont mind if they know the kitten is all sorted before collection. Do breeders who do this find kitten owners appreciate it and do you charge slightly more with the op having been done in advance?

It certainly would give me peace of mind that none of my kitties would go on to be used in some byb program and abused which would be horrendous. Contracts are all well and good but they are very difficult and costly to enforce so atleast anyone trying to decieve me by buying a kitten in the hope of later breeding without my consent will definately not want one of mine if they find out they will be altered before sale.

I have printed of the info and will take it into work with me. One of our vets did spay his little girl early as she had to have surgery anyway and there where no problems so he is happy doing it but just concerned re the difficulty getting drug doses etc right as you have to be very careful so that is something we will need to discuss well in advance.

I do not particulary agree with it.............they haven't had time to mature. However, thats just my opinion.

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Everyone I have spoke to say exactly the same about how much quicker they recover and there does seem to be alot of advantages re less tissue damage and faster healing rates etc. Plus they are in a familar environment surrounded by litter mates when they recover so it has got to be less stressful that way.
What does your vet use anaesthetic wise and does he do subcutaneous stitches etc?

I think in cats it does not pose any problems with their development the only difference is apparently the growth plates of the long bones close alittle later than in an entire cat but no adverse health risks, now if we are talking dogs thats a different matter as early neutering pre first season in large breed dogs has been shown to increase the risk of urinary incontinence later in life (not too sure about small breed dogs).
But everyone will have different opinions from what I have seen aslong as the vet is familar with the risks i.e potential for hypothermia and hypoglycaemia and use the appropriate anaesthetic whilst taking precautions for the above then I dont see much problem with it. Advantage for me I suppose is that I will be there monitoring the kitten and looking after them throughout the whole procedure so I will be able to control and hopefully prevent problems and I will know exactly what is being done, although some may not see it as an advantage I suppose. It has been done for awhile now in rescue centres in America without complications and alot of breeders over there now do it aswell.

Thanks for that, but its my opnion and i disagree with it. I do not like the thought of taking such maturing parts of any animal out to soon.

It does play some part to the maturing process, maybe as owners/breeders people do not think so, but i believe in nature it does.

I will agree with castrating/spaying young kittens but not any younger than 6 months.

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LOADING CRAZINESS..
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99% complete..

(-: plɹoʍ ʎʌɹnʇ ʎsdoʇ ʎɯ uı uo ƃuıoƃ ɥɔnɯ os 'uoos ǝɯıʇʎuɐ ʞɔɐq ǝq ll,ı ɟı ʍouʞ ʇ,uop 'ʞɐǝɹq pǝpuǝʇxǝ uɐ ƃuıʞɐʇ ɯɐ ı

See thats what I am like with Soda when they wanted her fixed at 5 months I felt she was to tiny and way to skinny for an opt. She could just see over the steps on the stairs!

Even now she is bigger but is still really skinny no matter what she eats, I'll be a very nervous mommie next week

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Cats-Decker, Horris, Soda
Dog-Sophie
10 Gallon tank - 1 fantail goldfish.
Rest in Peace Kira (cat)2011