Getting a stray cat spayed on Thursday - how long do I need to

[Flaxbee]

keep her inside? I'm pretty sure the cat is female, but I could be surprised. She lingers around and I feed her and then she dashes off to whatever adventures she has planned for the day. I am going to try to place her after she's been fixed and received her shots (I can't take her for several other current pet-related reasons).

But anyway - the vet I'm going to - the one the Humane Society recommends for stray/feral spays/neuters said I would need to keep her inside or incarcerated for two weeks to prevent infection and her "guts falling out". This doesn't sound right to me. I have not had a female cat spayed in recent memory, all the ones I've adopted have come out of the shelter fixed, but I think I remember earlier feline friends from when I was growing up being ready to go sooner than that. Like, within a week the females were usually healed enough to get back to their daily business, with the exception of stitch removal (this guy doesn't use dissolving stitches).

I ask because I have no idea where I'll keep her for two weeks -- we're in a rented house right now and there just is not much space for her for long periods of time.

Any info or suggestions? I think I'll call a few other vets and see what they offer...

[medeak]

1. I just recall cat letting bladder go when we walked in the door

holy crap....didn't see that much water when umbilical fluid broke.

[chookie]

2. 10 days is the usual recuperation period

The vet is being straight with you -- 10-14 days is about right for the various incisions to heal. If she goes outside, she will have to run and jump in such an environment, where heaven knows what she will encounter, which can easily open her incisions (external and internal, as she has just had an organ removed....).

If you are not able to improvise a temporary confined area for her, I would recommend trying to find a temporary foster home for her. Create a number of flyers, explaining the situation, with your contact number, and go around to some local vets and ask if you can post them in their office, and maybe they can help you find a Good Samaritan. They may also know of shelters who can help out.

Or go to Petfinder.org, type in your zip code, and see if any small shelters turn up in your area, and contact them and ask them if they can foster the cat or help you place it. Or pick their brains for another suggestion.

Doing the right thing is not always easy, my dear, and I hope you find a solution that works for you and the kitty. :hug:

(PS) Males will have easily visible testicles just below their anus, if you want to ID its gender. Of course, male neutering is a far simpler procedure.

[Flaxbee]

3. hadn't even thought of that -- Petfinder

I have a few good leads to follow up tomorrow. If I could even break up her convalescence into 5 days here and 5 days somewhere else comfy, it would help a lot.

Thanks!


lol - about the testicles! This baby has really looong black fur and while I'm pretty sure I haven't seen any family jewels, he could just have them wrapped up nice and warm for the winter in all that fur!

[kedrys]

4. At least a week for a girl cat

so the stitches start to be absorbed (if dissolving stitches are used) and don't get infected. We held on to one of the outdoor cats for 5 days because the five permanent indoor cats were starting to freak out at not being able to go in the bedroom. We let kitty out after it stopped raining, and she's made a superb recovery.

Is there an office of SNAP near you? Spay & Neuter Assistance Program is inexpensive and they did a great job on 4 of our outdoor cats.

[Flaxbee]

5. no re SNAP - we're in the boondocks of western NC...

I'm sure there are great places in/near Asheville, but I'm not gonna make this kitty ride for an hour and a half each way to get fixed. There aren't a lot of options here.

I'll figure something out. I'd like to find someone who will use dissolving stitches, though - this guy doesn't have them. Just seems easier on the cats overall.