In other news, the kittens I've been fostering are finally about to reach that magic number - 12 weeks old. I have about a million people lined up to adopt them (such is the way with kittens), but they can't go nowhere until they've had their down-theres fixed up.
So when can you neuter a kitten?
Or spay, if you have a lady kitten. Which I do not.
That depends on who you ask. Given my major, I should probably have some strong opinion that I can forcefully defend, but I don't. My opinion is - when they're big enough. Your vet can give you an idea, but I would recommend not waiting until 6 months or later like some clinics do. I do have one opinion I'll defend to the grave, though - never, ever, ever, EVER adopt out an animal that isn't fixed.
But they paid a deposit for fixing? Nope.
But I know them really well? Nope.
But they promised to do it in 30 days or I could take it back? NOPE.
Fix them as soon as they're 3 pounds, or the fastest your vet feels comfortable putting them under anesthesia. Then and only then can they go to their new homes.
Even if you're giving the cat to your mother, get it fixed first. It's not a matter of trust (okay sometimes it is), it's just the plain fact that shit happens.
What if Senor Fluffypants gets out? What if Madam Fuzzbutt gets her first heat, and new owners can't afford the more expensive spay? Things happen, and if you're going to spend that much time rescuing, raising, and vetting the kittens, might as well take one more thing off your mind and their "still needs ____" list. Otherwise you might wind up with a whole new litter of unloved kittens waking you up every two hours and needing even more vet visits in a few months. Cats multiply, shit happens.
Plus, for boy kitties, the surgery is really easy. Look what I found! (Caution: Includes real photographs of the surgery) Slideshow came from this page.
And, because I have no intention of being kitteh-sexist here, a very thorough and in-depth pictoral walkthrough of a spay. (Caution: Yes it's still real surgery pictures)
Both pages have links to similar information for dog procedures, so if you aren't too squeamish, take a look around. Cool stuff!
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| Batman hogging the food, and Chewy being particularly nonplussed about it. |
-Mouse
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