What Is Spaying/neutering And Why Should I Have It Done For My Pet
Spaying and neutering are the surgical sterilization of an animal. It is a routine surgery performed by a veterinarian while an animal is under general anesthetic. The procedure consists of removing certain reproductive organs: in females, the uterus, oviducts and ovaries in males, the testicles. Under proper veterinary care there is little risk. The animal is usually up and about within one or two days. Spaying refers only to female animals neutering can be used in reference to both male and female animals.
A spayed or neutered pet will live a longer, healthier, happier life, will listen better and be easier to train, will be calmer and more affectionate, will be less likely to roam, run away or fight with other animals and will NOT add to the pet overpopulation problem.
Important: Check-in can take 30-60 minutes, so please plan accordingly). After 8:30 am, all surgeries with appointments lose their priority status and become walk-ins subject to space available.
In preparation for all surgeries, pets must be fasted from 8pm the night before surgery. In the best interest of your pets health, all vaccines and dewormers must be administered 2 weeks prior to surgery.
Is It Possible To Get A Cat Fixed For Free
Many nonprofits do offer discounted or free spay/neuter services to those who qualify. The ASPCA outlines a list of low-cost programs across the country, including their own free services for qualified residents. Some animal shelters even offer support for spay/neuter expensesalways do your research and contact organizations nearby to find an option that works for you.
Cost To Spay/neuter A Cat
Most vets and animal shelters encourage pet owners to spay or neuter cats before taking them into their homes. Having a cat fixed is a great way to help limit the population of local strays. Most veterinarian clinics offer the procedure at a reduced price. Many pet owners find that the cost to spay/neuter a cat is less than having to pay for complications down the road as a result of not having the procedure performed.
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Pet Insurance Saved Big For These Cat Illnesses And Injuries
Some types of illnesses and injuries occur less frequently, but when they do happen, they can be costly.
For instance, when a 10-year-old domestic shorthaired cat named Ghaal began acting very sluggish and experiencing bloody stool and pale gums, his veterinarian did an ultrasound and discovered what looked like a mass on his intestine. Ghaal was later diagnosed with a bacterial stomach infection and inflammatory bowel disease, and needed surgery to remove the mass. Ghaal made a complete recovery, but the bill came to a whopping $4,369.13. Thanks to pet insurance, Ghaals owner was reimbursed $3,187.10.
A 3-year-old Calico kitty named Carly swallowed a 36-inch-long ribbon, which lodged in her gastrointestinal tract, stretching from her stomach all the way through to her small intestine. The ribbon was surgically removed and Carly fully recovered from the ordeal. The final bill was $5,648.44, and Carlys owners were reimbursed $4,358.75.
A cat from Seattle named Gilbert experienced a freak accident, somehow falling off the kitchen counter with his paw wedged tightly into the handle of a kitchen drawer. Gilbert broke all four of his metatarsals and needed surgery to save his paw. The incident led to a $4,061.04 veterinary bill, of which Gilberts owner was reimbursed $2,867.97.
Although you never know if youll need pet insurance, the peace of mind alone is enough to make it worth it to countless pet owners.
Read more about cat health and care on Catster.com:
Will Neutering Make My Cat Fat
No, neutering your cat wont make them fat. However, afterwards, your cat may not need as many calories to maintain a healthy weight. Make sure your cat is fed an appropriate amount of a complete diet thats right for their life stage so they stay slim and healthy. In fact, you can buy special food for neutered cats, which have the correct balance of nutrients and calories for them. If youre concerned your cat is putting on weight after neutering, talk to your vet or vet nurse about the best ways to keep them an ideal body condition score.
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Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program
VSNIP reduces pet overpopulation by helping eligible Vermonters afford to have their dogs and cats spayed or neutered. The program is 100% funded by a surcharge on dog registrations so funds are limited.
What help is available?
If your application is approved, you’ll get vouchers that let you have your dogs and cats spayed or neutered for a $27 copay per animal.
Requests for more than five animals in a year will need special approval.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, you must:
- Live in Vermont
- Have gotten your pet for free or a small fee
- Qualify based on getting public benefits or having household income at or below 185% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
How do I apply?
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PRINT THE APPLICATION IN COLOR.
How does the program work?
What does the co-pay cover?
It covers a pre-surgical exam, pain management before and during surgery, the surgery, an overnight stay if needed, a distemper vaccine series, one rabies vaccination and suture removal after surgery.
It does not cover:
Who do I call for more information?
Call 1-844-448-7647 or email if you have questions.
RESOURCES For Applicants
Cat Flap Installation Cost
If you want to make life a bit easier, for you and your cat, you might be thinking about installing a cat flap.
There are two things to think about here – the cost of the cat flap itself and the cost of installing the cat flap.
You can buy a cat flap for as little as £10, but they can cost more than £50 for ones with infrared or microchip sensors.
The bigger issue is installation and where you choose to put the flap.
If its going to be put in a wooden door, single glazed window or uPVC panel, it will usually cost between £30 and £60. But, installing a cat flap in a double glazed window is a lot more expensive and can set you back between £200 and £300.
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How Much Does Your Cat Cost You
Below you will read the feedback from many readers of Canadian Budget Binder who contributed their feedback for this post on the Costs of Owning a Cat in Canada.
Other than the food, expenses for our cats include deworming treatment, shots, flea and tick treatment and initially spaying and neutering.
We havent had any major health issues with either, but a visit to the vet for unexpected issues can cost hundreds.
Stephanie Porter
I have 3 cats, one was adoption at $200 from a rescue shelter, 2 were abandoned without owners who we took in and paid vet bills right away.
Costs:
- Food is Iams at $9 a bag and lasts weekly, $36.00 ,
- Toys are fairly easy and can be bought a Dollar store $10 month
- Cat scratcher $40.00 and 2 additional posts at $10 each
- Brushes, Pet nail clippers are reasonable and their pet bed I sewed myself.
Vet bills are typically starting at $300 for vaccinations spaying/neuter and checkup and can be $400 each visit when they get older as kidney and joint issues are typical.
Weve never had pet insurance, our previous 3 wouldnt have been covered for kidney failure due to age in the end, prior to that only one had vet visits for crystals in the urine, hence the $42 bags of vet food every week to maintain their health.
They lived until 17,18 and 19 years of age.
A Free Dog Can Cost You Around $370
When you first get a dog, you have to take him or her in for numerous tests and vaccinations. For a male dog, it can cost pet owners around $300, and for female dogs over $400! Be informed before you “buy” your next free dog. Better yet, play it safe and adopt one. We do all the tests, spaying and neutering, and vaccinations for you — all for our adoption fee of $200. That’s a savings of about $125 to $225 by adopting.
DROP US A LINE TODAY TO FIND OUT MORE!
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Why Should You Spay Or Neuter Your Cat
There are numerous reasons to spay or neuter your cat, including community, behavior, and health reasons. Cats are able to have four litters a year, which rapidly leads to overpopulation and, consequently, millions of euthanized cats yearly, says Dr. Meghann Kruck, D.V.M., of Kindest Cut, a low cost spay and neuter clinic in Minnesota.
Sarah Humlie, executive director of the Pensacola Humane Society in Florida, agrees that overpopulation is a problem and explains that getting cats spayed and neutered is one of the Societys missions.
Coming from the shelter side of it, we see spaying and neutering as a humane and pro-active way of trying to reduce the number of animals who are going to come into the shelters and possibly have their lives threatened or ended because of overcrowding, says Humlie.
Spaying and neutering can also prevent unwanted behavioral issues, says Dr. Adam Corbett, V.M.D., and Director of Shelter Operations and Surgery at the Pennsylvania SPCA. He says unaltered male cats tend to spray urine in the house and try to get outside more, which could lead to injury due to fighting with other cats or getting hit by a car. Unaltered female cats also have behavioral issues, such as yowling when theyre in heat and also trying to go outside to find a mate, he said.
Other Cat & Kitten Expenses To Consider
While some cat or kitten costs are a given , others may be a bit more unexpectedor even optional, depending on the type of pet you choose and your lifestyle. It may be a good idea to budget for some of the potential items below, and make sure youre prepared for surprises down the road:
- Emergency Veterinary Care. Weve touched a bit on this already, but its worth repeating. Even a healthy pet may need emergency care, ranging from a few hundred dollars to $1,000+. Hopefully, this will be a cost youll never have to face, but you may want to set aside some funds you can draw on in emergencies. You can also consider pet insurance. There are a number of reasonable plans with low monthly fees tha help protect you, just in case.
- Pet Sitting or Boarding Fees. If youre planning an extended trip, and cant find a friend to care for your cat while youway, you may need to budget for pet sitting or commercial boarding at around $15-50 per day.
- Professional Grooming. Some cats are low-maintenance, but others may need some extra care when it comes to that shiny coat. If your cat requires professional grooming it could run approximately $300+ per year.
Feeling financially prepared to add a cat to your family? Find out what the first 30 days of cat adoption might look like, and then start searching for adoptable cats here.
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I Have Unneutered Female And Male Cats In My Household What Should I Do To Avoid Unwanted Pregnancies
If you have an unneutered male and female in the same household, have them neutered as soon as they reach 4 months old. If this isnt possible, and your female cat comes on heat, its essential to keep your cats apart at all times to stop them from mating. Please remember that related cats will mate, including brothers, sisters, fathers and daughters.
When To Have Your Cat Neutered
Most cats , can be neutered from 4 months old. Neutering at this age has many benefits, especially for female cats, however, its always important to discuss the decision with your vet because exact timings should be based on a number of different factors, including:
- Weight: The risk of anaesthetic can be slightly higher in small kittens, so your vet may recommend waiting until your cat is a certain weight before they are neutered. Its also important they are healthy shape because overweight cats have a higher anaesthetic risk and more chance of complications during surgery.
- Other health conditions: if your cat is suffering from another health condition it may change their ideal neutering time.
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Myths Surrounding Cat Desexing
There are several commons myths and misconceptions around cat desexing. These include that you should let a female cat have her first heat and/or that you should let her have one litter and desex her afterwards. Rest assured that these are untruths and that the advantages of desexing your cat far outweigh any benefits gained by unnecessarily delaying the procedure.
It is highly recommended to leave cat breeding to reputable breeders who understand the risks and will potentially keep any unwanted kittens.
Additional Costs To Consider
If your cat is fully up to date on shots and healthy, you might only have to pay for the surgeryand possibly a sitting fee if you go to a vet.
However, if your cat isnt up to date on shots, all places will generally want you to receive boosters at that time. Booster shots for cats can range quite a bit, depending on the ones they need. Your cat should be up to date once every 3 years.
- Rabies $15 to $20
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis $30 to $60
- Feline Calicivirus $15 to $20
- Distemper $20 to $30
If your cat is already fully vaccinated, it wont be an issue for the surgery. However, you can accrue up to $130 in additional charges just for vaccine boosters.
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Average Cat Grooming Cost
Grooming requirements vary depending on the breed of cat you have and, more specifically, its coat.
Domestic cats require regular brushing to avoid matts in their coat and fur balls and a high-quality brush is not going to set you back very much.
Pedigree and long-haired cats will require more grooming and you might want to consider taking them to get professionally groomed. This will usually set you back about £20 to £35 depending on the size of your cat.
Should Female Cats Have A Litter Of Kittens Before Being Spayed
People used to think that female cats should have a litter of kittens before being spayed, but Corbett says theres no good reason for that. And if youre on the fence about spaying because youd like your children to experience kittens, he has an answer for that, too: become a foster family.
There are a lot of shelters that help moms and kittens and are able to provide that experience of raising kittens, Corbett says. But instead of adding more kittens to the world that need to find homes, youre helping homeless kittens.
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Why Does My Neutered Cat Still Look Like They Have Testicles
When a cat is castrated, the testicles are removed but the scrotum isnt. This means sometimes they look like they still have testicles after their operation. Over time the scrotum will shrink and become less noticeable. If you notice swelling or redness in your cats scrotum after their surgery, contact your vet for advice.
Average Costs Of Cat Vaccinations
The average cost of cat vaccinations may be between $50 and $100 during the first year. There may be clinics with more expensive rates per vaccination.
The cat will also require boosters and these boosters may cost between $10 and $50 per year.
There are also certain low cost clinics, organizations or animal shelters that will charge less for vaccinations.
In some geographical areas, the costs of pet vaccinations may be higher. Do an online research and find out some places in your area where vaccinations are administered you may also check out some forums for some up to date prices.
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How Does Cat Insurance Work
I had to do my research and it wasnt as bad as I thought it would be and Trupanian really does have it all.
Cat health insurance is simple with Trupanion. You pay a monthly premium in order to be covered for any unexpected illnesses or injuries throughout your cats life. Rest assured knowing Trupanion has your back.
When you file a claim, well cover 90% of eligible healthcare expenses for your cat. You are responsible for any non-eligible expenses, your deductible and the remaining 10%.
Trupanion also offers extra coverage as any insurance company does for occurrences not covered under their regular policy.
Trupanion also offers optional packages for additional coverage that may fit your lifestyle. These packages can protect you from other unforeseen events or circumstances related to your cat, provide extra coverage for alternative and rehabilitative therapies, and add extra protection for breeding cats. They come at an additional cost.
Trupanion
What is covered with Cat Insurance through Trupanion?
Ah, the question that everyone wants to know as a cat owner considering cat insurance.
Schedule A Spay/neuter Appointment
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently very limited on appointments. If you are unable to request an appointment, please check back later. We apologize for any inconvenience.
******* PLEASE NOTE *********
During the COVID-19 Health Crisis, we have been permitted to continue with routine spay/neuter procedures and we are taking preventative measures for the health of our clients and staff.
- Patient check-in and -out will continue outdoors in the clinic yard.
- Owners will not be allowed inside the clinic unless absolutely necessary.
- Staff will wear a face mask at all times when interacting with clients while also maintaining a safe social distance .
- Pet owners who are sick are asked to stay home and either reschedule or have a family member bring in the pet.
- All payment will be taken via electronic means to cut down on handling credit cards and cash. Limited exceptions can be made for owners who do not own a SmartPhone.
- All pens, clipboards, etc will be sanitized with an approved disinfectant before reuse.
Thank you for your understanding and stay safe!
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If scheduling online, you must schedule your appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently limited on available appointments. If you are unable to request an appointment, please check back again later, or check with one of the other low-cost clinics in the area.
Pre-op Blood Work Cost & Information on Ages:Cost of Blood Work $95.00
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