Deciding When to Spay

• The traditional age to spay is six months old. However, advances have made it possible to spay as early as eight weeks. This is complicated though, as the tissues involved are so small, increasing some of the risks to the pet's overall health.
  
  The best way to determine when to spay a cat is to weigh it. In a cat, look for three and a half to four pounds. Dogs should be a minimum of eight weeks old though four months is better. Older or larger cats and dogs can be successfully spayed even if they are in season or pregnant. There is usually an increase in cost to the procedure at that time. You will need to make an informed decision of what to do if your pet is pregnant by speaking with your veterinarian and considering whether you wish to terminate the pregnancy or to allow her to have her kittens or puppies.
  
  Kittens or puppies should be weaned from their mothers for a minimum of a month before the mother can undergo the procedure. This will allow time for the mammary glands to return to normal.
  
  

The Procedure

• Your pet is given a pre-operative exam to determine any health issues that could be a cause for concern before beginning the operation. Your pet is then anesthetized, her stomach shaved and sterilized. The vet then makes a small incision and the ovaries and uterus are removed before closing the incision with under-the-skin sutures.
  
  The vet will usually administer a shot for pain and then monitor the animal during its initial stages of recovery.
  
  

Post-Operative Care

• When you bring your pet home, whether it is the same day or the following day, keep her as calm and quiet as possible. You might want to provide her with a safe, warm and isolated place for her initial recovery.
  
  You can provide a small amount of food after an hour of arriving home. Do not be surprised if she does not eat. Do not give her a heavy meal as the anesthesia could cause her to vomit, complicating her recovery.
  
  Keep an eye on her incision. If it begins to bleed or leak fluid, you will need to return her to the vet. Usually, there will not be any medication or special treatments for the incision. Listen to the recommendations of your personal veterinarian.
  
  Keep other pets and children away for the first few days and do not let her go outdoors. She will recover rapidly and will soon be able to resume all of her normal activities.