Spaying- what is safe?

[JoannaH91]

Hi everyone!

So Scarlett is almost 4 months old and almost 4lbs. I plan on having her spayed before she is 6 months.
So I have a question- almost all the vets in my area charge between $400-$600 to spay a kitten! I think that seems pretty pricey so I started doing some research.

The ASPCA will spay & microchip a kitten for around $125.
Then the Neuter Scooter from PETCO will spay for around $100- $120 I think it said.
Would you guys feel comfortable with having your kitten spayed/neutered with a program like this? Or would you rather spend the extra money to do it through your vet?
I know I don't want them using Ketamine so I just don't know if I can trust that the aspca and the neuter scooter won't use it. They are big company's and very well known so I'm assuming they should be trusted.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks!!

 

[zoinks]

Hi everyone!

So Scarlett is almost 4 months old and almost 4lbs. I plan on having her spayed before she is 6 months.
So I have a question- almost all the vets in my area charge between $400-$600 to spay a kitten! I think that seems pretty pricey so I started doing some research.

The ASPCA will spay & microchip a kitten for around $125.
Then the Neuter Scooter from PETCO will spay for around $100- $120 I think it said.
Would you guys feel comfortable with having your kitten spayed/neutered with a program like this? Or would you rather spend the extra money to do it through your vet?
I know I don't want them using Ketamine so I just don't know if I can trust that the aspca and the neuter scooter won't use it. They are big company's and very well known so I'm assuming they should be trusted.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks!!

Wow $4-600 seems like a lot, though I know spay is more expensive than neuter. It cost me $200/each for spay and neuter at my vet. What does that include? I know some vets try to addon things that are not always necessary, eg. pre-op blood tests.

I would first find out if any of them are willing to not use ketamine. When I asked my vet, she told me that ketamine is very commonly used for non-exotic cat breeds and even for all cats in some vets. Luckily my vet never uses ketamine on exotic breeds. I would imagine places like PETCO and the ASPCA will be using it but maybe you can request that they don't.

The main thing to me would be to find somewhere willing to not use ketamine, and then secondary to get a price that is affordable. Personally, it would also be nice to have more peace of mind getting it done by someone that at least has some knowledge of the sphynx breed but I guess that's not a must.

If it were me I'd call around, see who doesn't use ketamine, get prices and weigh up your options. I didn't hesitate getting my two boys done at our vet - we are fortunate that the cost wasn't an issue for us, but the peace of mind was good. They are treated like royalty when they are there, I know I can trust them with my 'no' list of medication and they have other sphynx clients.

Just my thoughts!

 

[GoldHazel]

Hi everyone!

So Scarlett is almost 4 months old and almost 4lbs. I plan on having her spayed before she is 6 months.
So I have a question- almost all the vets in my area charge between $400-$600 to spay a kitten! I think that seems pretty pricey so I started doing some research.

The ASPCA will spay & microchip a kitten for around $125.
Then the Neuter Scooter from PETCO will spay for around $100- $120 I think it said.
Would you guys feel comfortable with having your kitten spayed/neutered with a program like this? Or would you rather spend the extra money to do it through your vet?
I know I don't want them using Ketamine so I just don't know if I can trust that the aspca and the neuter scooter won't use it. They are big company's and very well known so I'm assuming they should be trusted.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks!!

Personally I would not feel comfortable using anyone except my own vet. But that's just me.
It wouldn't matter to me if a company is big or not or well-known or not, etc. Mistakes happen and I just wouldn't feel comfortable. Not that mistakes can't happen at your own vet's office, but I just feel it's much more personal and they'd be that much more careful.

 

[gojennings]

I use the Banfield vet clinic in Petsmart for my 3 sphynxes and one of our dogs. The kitten care plan with spay/neuter is about $30 a month and includes all well care, shots, wormings, fecal exams, etc. Meds and sick care are extra but discounted.

I've had a wonderful experience with he Williamsburg VA location. I've gotten to know the vets and the techs, and they all know and love our pets. They always call the next day to check after a visit and seem to genuinely care.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

I think the biggest thing for many Sphynx owners is knowing they are not getting Ketamine. If you read up on it, and see possible side effects, it can be quite alarming, not just for this particular breed. I fully understand that the cost savings is huge. We paid $400+ for each of our girls to be spayed. We have a great relationship with our vet and I cannot put a price tag on the care and personal touches they provide. Our one girl had bad complications from her spay and it was 2 scary weeks for us, so that also sways me toward going to a vet. Again it is a personal choice and everyone's budgets are different. If you have the money and are on the fence, then just save yourself the stress and go to the vet rather than a clinic. Let's face it, we all stress knowing when our babies have surgery. You can always consult with your vet about it and ask the differences.


Patti

 

[1sphynxlover]

I would go with a vet, personally. I find a clinic isn't as personal as my vet. I like the "family" attitude.

 

[JoannaH91]

I have that sum gut feeling everyone who has responded has! I would feel so much more comfortable with my vet and after hearing everyone else would also go with their vet rather than a "service/clinic", I'm definitely going to speak to my vet and see what she can do for me.
Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[assibassi]

all my animals were fixed when I got them, even our 9 week old Hairy was fixed.
I had a White tiger male many years ago , i got him when he was 4 months old and i had him fixed at about 5 1/2 months old at the Vet. He came home the next day, he had to stay overnight . It cost me all together 70 dollars. That was in 1995 . Every cat there after was fixed already.

 

[assibassi]

P.s i posted that because even in times like these.... 400 to 600 is HUGe amount .

 

[JoannaH91]

all my animals were fixed when I got them, even our 9 week old Hairy was fixed.
I had a White tiger male many years ago , i got him when he was 4 months old and i had him fixed at about 5 1/2 months old at the Vet. He came home the next day, he had to stay overnight . It cost me all together 70 dollars. That was in 1995 . Every cat there after was fixed already.

I wish I could go back to 1995 and pay that price *tear* lol it would have been convenient if she came spayed but I guess she was too little at that time

 

[assibassi]

I wish I could go back to 1995 and pay that price *tear* lol it would have been convenient if she came spayed but I guess she was too little at that time

Maybe try a vet outside the City ?? That price seems really HUGE . Why dont you consider Petco? That is a doctor too in there a doc's office . Ask them what kind of anesthisia ( spelling ) they use.

 

[GoldHazel]

I have that sum gut feeling everyone who has responded has! I would feel so much more comfortable with my vet and after hearing everyone else would also go with their vet rather than a "service/clinic", I'm definitely going to speak to my vet and see what she can do for me.
Thanks for everyone's input!

Besides knowing that they will NOT use Ketamine for your sphynx, the decision, of course, is up to you and what you feel comfortable doing as well as what you can afford.

Best of luck.

 

[PrimateLove]

Wishing you the best of luck, everyone has given you some good advice

 

[JoannaH91]

Maybe try a vet outside the City ?? That price seems really HUGE . Why dont you consider Petco? That is a doctor too in there a doc's office . Ask them what kind of anesthisia ( spelling ) they use.

The petco in my area doesn't have a vet but i think I'm going to try looking into some other areas as well to see how their prices are. I didn't even know that petco's vet offers spaying/neutering ! I really don't mind driving a couple of hours as long as it's a good place and the price is reasonable! So I have to start my research asap . Thanks for the idea!

 

[JoannaH91]

Besides knowing that they will NOT use Ketamine for your sphynx, the decision, of course, is up to you and what you feel comfortable doing as well as what you can afford.

Best of luck.

Is it weird that even if a vet tells me they won't use ketamine, I am still a little suspicious? Lol

 

[JoannaH91]

Besides knowing that they will NOT use Ketamine for your sphynx, the decision, of course, is up to you and what you feel comfortable doing as well as what you can afford.

Best of luck.

Unless it's my vet of course!

 

[GoldHazel]

Is it weird that even if a vet tells me they won't use ketamine, I am still a little suspicious? Lol

I took a HUGE piece of white paper when I brought each of my boys in for their neuter surgery and I wrote with a big fat Sharpie marker:
~My cat's name with my last name
~DO NOT USE KETAMINE
... and literaly pinned it to my cat carrier. I told the vet again only because I'm paranoid that way! The vet called me right after surgery and assured me that it went well and said that they put a heating pad in with my baby.

 

[JoannaH91]

I took a HUGE piece of white paper when I brought each of my boys in for their neuter surgery and I wrote with a big fat Sharpie marker:
~My cat's name with my last name
~DO NOT USE KETAMINE
... and literaly pinned it to my cat carrier. I told the vet again only because I'm paranoid that way! The vet called me right after surgery and assured me that it went well and said that they put a heating pad in with my baby.

I will DEFINITELY be doing the same thing!! Paranoia sneaks in when you're so in love with your sphynx!

 

[GoldHazel]

I will DEFINITELY be doing the same thing!! Paranoia sneaks in when you're so in love with your sphynx!

These ARE our babies whether any of us have human children or not. )

 

[1sphynxlover]

My vet specializes in sphynx, so I don't worry. I feel so fortunate.

 

[Bobbafett]

Have you asked your breeder which vet they use?

Mercedes was spayed at the same clinic the breeder takes her cats to. I'll most likely take Porsche to the same place even though it's an hour away and she has to be there at 8 am. Eeek.

 

[JoannaH91]

Have you asked your breeder which vet they use?

Mercedes was spayed at the same clinic the breeder takes her cats to. I'll most likely take Porsche to the same place even though it's an hour away and she has to be there at 8 am. Eeek.

Great idea!! I hadn't thought of that but if their prices are good, I would trust them since they already have previous records of her as a kitten. Thanks

 

[Bobbafett]

Yes!

I feel that I would be way more comfortable taking my little girl somewhere that knows sphinx cats. I have a vet nearby, but they don't really seem to have much experience with sphinx, and I'd be worrying the entire time she's inside.

 

[Tiffany_Kay]

I also use the Banfield vet clinic attached to the Petsmart up here in Gurnee IL. The vet is super sweet and I have come to find out that there are a few other sphynx in the area that also use the clinic. However I did not get Izzy fixed there as she was rehomed to me and I paid to have her fixed at her previous vet in Texas before she was sent home to me.