I'd always thought it was recommended to have cats neutered at 5/6 months. However, today the veterinary nurse told me that as their testicles are formed they can neuter from now (they are 13 weeks). So I would just like some advice about when you all neutered your boys, is it less risky the bigger they are? Thanks

Anytime before 6 months really. Paediatric neutering is very common in the US and this has started to filter over to the UK, which is why you will find some vets which will do it.

Anaesthetic is always risky, whatever the age. I find younger kittens bounce back quicker. I think the move to earlier neutering is to prevent these 'accidental' litters or people simply not neutering them ever. Breeders can now neuter before rehoming their kittens and remove the worry of owners not fulfilling their side of the deal.

__________________

Many vets are now coming round to the idea of neutering younger rather than the traditional 5/6 months. Better anaesthetics and surgery techniques make this possible and there is no greater risk in neutering young than waiting. Some vets will neuter according to the weight of the kitten rather than its age.
Some breeds however do not mature as quickly as others and often are left longer especially if they are show cats.
If your vet is happy and you are happy then there is no reason to delay neutering your kitten.

__________________

How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven. - Robert A. Heinlein
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

2 of mine were done at 12 weeks

no probs at all

__________________

My boy is 14 weeks old and his testies have dropped I want him done soon but my friend who is a vet nurse told me to wait until he is 2kg. I am going to contact my local vets to see when they will be willing to do it as I want him done before he gets to the spray and teritorial stage as I want to continue fostering. I think as long as vet is happy to neuter him and you are ok then go for it. A male cat neuter is soooo simple (I have witnessed many!!) the only worry is the anestetic but really there are so few risks with that aswel as as it is such a quick procedure the vets usually reverse the drugs as soon as they have finished anyway.

(Is it sick that I used to watch vet carry out this op and fantasize about people I would like to do it too (without numbing the area first?!?!) )

__________________

We have our kittens neutered around 13-14 weeks of age - our vet is happy to do it so long as they are big enough. We have had several litters done now (both sexes) and have not had any problems, touch wood.

I must admit to initially being against this but after a lot of talking to breeders who did this, talking to our vet at some length, and seeing the number of "pet" cats being bred from, we decided to go for it. The kittens have always bounced back so quickly - it is amazing. Still nerve wracking though.

__________________
Kaz

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

I left my male BSH until he was 7/8 months.

I'm unsure of when to get my female kitten done though. 6 months?

Yep deffo 5-6months and no later as she will come into call and it is a horrible thing for the cat to go through it puts so much stress on the system. Also it is so easy for them to slip out and get 'caught' if they do come into call and then you will be stuck with an unwanted, unplanned pregnancy!!

__________________

My two were done just before 20 weeks. One of Wilbur's testicles had not distended properly so he needed to be cut on his belly for removal. They both bounced back within a day though - Oscar quicker than Wilbur for obvious reasons.

My vet will neuter early providing there is something there to cut, the kitten is healthy and they are of the right weight.

__________________

My kitten will be neutered at just over 5 months as I am getting another female kitten when he is 6 months old and I wanted to make sure there was absolutely NO risk of overlap and also make sure he was a bit "calmed down" for the introductions, seeing as he was going to be neutered anyway.

The vet said she did neuter earlier, but that doing it at 5/6 months was better as the anasaethic risk was lower in bigger/heavier kittens.

x