Early Neutering?

[ajshep1984]

What's the opinion on neutering of kittens at 12 weeks?

Do any of the breeders here neuter before they pass kits on to their new owners and why or why not?

Have there been any studies done on the early neutering of cats?

[smudgley]

Originally Posted by ajshep1984

What's the opinion on neutering of kittens at 12 weeks?

Do any of the breeders here neuter before they pass kits on to their new owners and why or why not?

Have there been any studies done on the early neutering of cats?

Well I think it's a little young, but welcome it for ferals.

[Moli]

Think 12 weeks is a bit young, but I had all my boys done at 4 months....and they have had no ill affects whatsoever....

[dandysmom]

Here's a link you might find helpful ...... I think it's accepted more here in the States than in the UK.http://www.peteducation.com/article....1+2235&aid=902

[niki71uk]

my male cat was already neutered when i got him from the edinburgh cat and dog home,he was only 4 n a half mnths when i got him

[Elaine]

I personally wouldnt have a cat of mine neutered so young but I do understand and apreciate the arguments for early neutering where feral cats are concerned.
http://www.littleriverlabs.com/neuter.htm
http://www.messybeast.com/earlyneuter2.htm

[dinahsmum]

Here's another thread from a while ago. There is a link to a study paper in there.
There are no doubt points in favour and against such a procedure.
Just like everything in pet-ownership, it's a balance and one has to make a balanced judgement.

[kado]

I know there is no correct age. Lucky who we found in late november and we think he will be 6 months on 24th April needs it doing but he is realy tiny is there a set weight. He realy is a big boy and if the litter tray isnt up to his standard he will pee on anything on the floor.

[Rockmaiden]

At the RSPCA branch I work for we recomend neutering at 5 months for public cats or cats in our care. However we also trap and neuter ferals before releasing them and in this situation we neuter at 12 weeks simply because it's hard enough to catch them the once and by the time you catch them a second time you will find they often have kittens in tow.

In general it's best not to neuter early but if it is needed to prevent un-wanted litters (i.e. in ferals) then it can be done.

You will however find that a lot of vets will not neuter this young.

Rebecca

[pookyandjo]

De sexing here in Australia is done early.. especially if you adopt a kitten from the RSPCA or other shelter....When i adopted Tinky 10.5 years ago he was 8 weeks old when i got him and had already been neutered, microchiped and had his first immunisation.. When we got George 7 years ago.. he was 12 weeks old..and had been neutered etc as well... he was the oldest kitten available to be adopted at that time and all the younger ones had already been been de sexed anyway
Yesterday when we went and adopted Princess Harry AKA
O(range) C(at) She had been spayed on the 23 of March.. and she was 7 weeks old... her incision is tiny... they did what is called a "flank incision" and it has 3 tiny stitches in it..she has to go back next Friday to have the stitches removed and have the next booster of her immunisations

It seems quite strange to see you all mentioning that your babies there are done so much later... when it's very much "the norm" here for them to be done when very young
I must point out that here there is no choice.... if you want to adopt a kitten or cat... it has been desexed... it's not something that you get to choose.. the same with microchipping.. they come microchipped... and councils here offer a discount on the annual registration for desexed, microchipped pets... conversely.. if your pets aren't desexed and/or microchipped... then the annual registration fees are very high

Jo