When to neuter?

[eggs]

When did everyone get their baby boy Sphynx neutered? I am seeing a range in doing some light internet research. My vet would like to wait until my boy is a year old. He said something about hip development and that it's better to wait to avoid problems later in life. What are the signs it's time? Is it different for Sphynxes in any way from other kittens? I'm really just curious. My baby hasn't exhibited any weird behavior or anything. He is 6 and 1/2 months old. And getting so big!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

My breeder and vet recommend 6 months of age or 5 pounds whichever comes first. I never heard a vet say that about cats…I know larger breed dogs they are now suggesting at a year old due to hips/joints etc. waiting past 6 months you are risking quite a few things like spraying, aggression and other issues. Here is some info on risks.

Should I spay or neuter my sphynx cat?

Reasons for spaying/neutering Greatly reduces behavioral problems like spraying in both male and female cats. Cats that are altered live longer lives according to statistics. Neutered male cats live 40% longer lives than those not neutered. Female cats if not spayed and not bred can develop...

sphynxlair.com

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[Yoda mom]

@eggs . same here as catzzzmeow , 6 mos or 5 lbs. I personally prefer before 1 yr old because I have seen hormones kick in sooner than 1 yr age.
** be sure to check with vet what anesthesia they use.. ****NO Ketamine, as it can have a rebound effect on heart.
I have my pets charts marked NO Ketamine.

my vet uses isoflurane and propofol

members will surely chime in. hugs n head smooches

 

[eggs]

@eggs . same here as catzzzmeow , 6 mos or 5 lbs. I personally prefer before 1 yr old because I have seen hormones kick in sooner than 1 yr age.
** be sure to check with vet what anesthesia they use.. ****NO Ketamine, as it can have a rebound effect on heart.
I have my pets charts marked NO Ketamine.

my vet uses isoflurane and propofol

members will surely chime in. hugs n head smooches

Thank you both!! Really appreciate the information! I'll talk to my vet again.

 

[eggs]

My breeder and vet recommend 6 months of age or 5 pounds whichever comes first. I never heard a vet say that about cats…I know larger breed dogs they are now suggesting at a year old due to hips/joints etc. waiting past 6 months you are risking quite a few things like spraying, aggression and other issues. Here is some info on risks.

Should I spay or neuter my sphynx cat?

Reasons for spaying/neutering Greatly reduces behavioral problems like spraying in both male and female cats. Cats that are altered live longer lives according to statistics. Neutered male cats live 40% longer lives than those not neutered. Female cats if not spayed and not bred can develop...

sphynxlair.com

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

So I am thinking this might possibly be a Canadian vet thing and/or new research? My sister's cats (Siberians) were also pushed as far as possible for their spay and neuter by her vet. Most vets here don't even consider doing it before 6 months of age, it seems, and prefer much later. They're big on waiting. Anyway, my vet got back to me, and it looks like the balls (lol) are in my court.

Maybe I'll book it for the end of the month or something like that? Seven months is probably good... maybe.... I just feel so hesitant to rush it, especially since my little baby isn't exhibiting a single sign of bad behavior associated with sexual maturity. He's just the sweetest little snuggly boy, no spraying, no shrieking, nada. I don't want to do the wrong thing and inadvertently have it affect his growth later in life or give him hip problems.

It's a balance of "I want to get this done and over with since I'm so worried and nervous" and "Maybe I should delay for his development since that's what my vet recommends and there's no signs of bad behavior."

Edit: the Ketamine info is so useful and now in his chart.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Loved your pun lol. I know some studies have shared neutering early can cause cats to gain weight and recommend monitoring their weight after 1 year of age because healthy weight is important to overall long term health. A high percentage of cats are overweight but this something we can control because they are reliant on us for food. I think it’s great you are thinking ahead…we recently had a member post that like a light switch her intact male developed behavioral issue most likely from smelling a girl in heat somewhere nearby. Thanks for sharing/updating us.

My boy has lost his mind...Help..

My boy Odin is 9.5 months old, he is not neutered yet. He goes May 30th, the hold up was due to his HCM diagnosis. Last few nights he has been yowling all night and roaming the house. Last night he was all snugly in bed and kept making low pitch chirps and grabbing my hands when I pet him...

sphynxlair.com

@eggs

 

[eggs]

Loved your pun lol. I know some studies have shared neutering early can cause cats to gain weight and recommend monitoring their weight after 1 year of age because healthy weight is important to overall long term health. A high percentage of cats are overweight but this something we can control because they are reliant on us for food. I think it’s great you are thinking ahead…we recently had a member post that like a light switch her intact male developed behavioral issue most likely from smelling a girl in heat somewhere nearby. Thanks for sharing/updating us.

My boy has lost his mind...Help..

My boy Odin is 9.5 months old, he is not neutered yet. He goes May 30th, the hold up was due to his HCM diagnosis. Last few nights he has been yowling all night and roaming the house. Last night he was all snugly in bed and kept making low pitch chirps and grabbing my hands when I pet him...

sphynxlair.com

@eggs

Oh very interesting! I wonder how sensitive/what the range of their smell is. I live up high in an apartment building. The chances of him smelling a girl in heat would very slim? There are no kittens on my floor.

I guess signs are pointing towards getting it done? I'm so worried the bad behavior will suddenly appear and then be hard to reverse.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Oh very interesting! I wonder how sensitive/what the range of their smell is. I live up high in an apartment building. The chances of him smelling a girl in heat would very slim? There are no kittens on my floor.

I guess signs are pointing towards getting it done? I'm so worried the bad behavior will suddenly appear and then be hard to reverse.

Believe it or not, they can pick up,the scent 1-2 miles away depending on wind conditions. I know it sounds crazy doesn’t it? Smell is actually their strongest sense. @eggs


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[eggs]

Believe it or not, they can pick up,the scent 1-2 miles away depending on wind conditions. I know it sounds crazy doesn’t it? Smell is actually their strongest sense. @eggs


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Oh wow! Fascinating.

 

[Xandria]

@eggs -- I have a fabulous vet (1st and Renfrew). Dr. Dhunna. Veterinarian in Vancouver, BC | 1st Ave Animal Hospital He looks after a few of the Sphynx in the Vancouver area.

I think we had Max neutered at 5 months (or less) because:

He was extra feisty at the time. LOL

Mal came to us pre-neutered. Sphynx cats can be neutered early without issue. I totally agree with @Catzzzmeow and @Yoda mom above.

Hugs.

 

[eggs]

@Xandria Hahaha feisty indeed! Thank you for the vet recommendation, but I think I will stick with my doc My boy's grapes grew very suddenly lol so I think it's possibly time. I guess I'm just nervous.

 

[Yoda mom]

@eggs , we are here for you! agree its probably time to neuter with his 'grapes " growing suddenly, keep us updated! hugs n head smooches.

 

[eggs]

@eggs , we are here for you! agree its probably time to neuter with his 'grapes " growing suddenly, keep us updated! hugs n head smooches.

I have another probably irrational concern... will he feel self-conscious without his jewels? What do they look like after?

 

[eggs]

Baby boy got his surgery this morning and is already playing and eating like a champ just a few hours after!! He is such a perfect little angel. He HATES the cone though and is trying so hard to figure out various methods to remove it haha. I am so relieved it is done and I don't need to worry about it anymore. Thank you all for the support!!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

@eggs yay…so happy the procedure went well and your boy is doing well.

 

[Yoda mom]

@eggs, so happy surgery went well and bounced back quickly. My boys always did the same too. personally never used a cone on my males. they never licked at their area.

you can ask your vet if you can discontinue cone if he is not bothering or licking. my boys raisins looked like deflated little balloons, then shrunk down more and more till hardly anything noticeable just a little two areas of little skin bumps.

hugs n head smooches!! phew.. breath! all good.

 

[eggs]

@eggs, so happy surgery went well and bounced back quickly. My boys always did the same too. personally never used a cone on my males. they never licked at their area.

you can ask your vet if you can discontinue cone if he is not bothering or licking. my boys raisins looked like deflated little balloons, then shrunk down more and more till hardly anything noticeable just a little two areas of little skin bumps.

hugs n head smooches!! phew.. breath! all good.

All good to know!! Hugs and thank you

 

[Toa and Ross]

Happy to hear all went well!

 

[Bentley]

When did everyone get their baby boy Sphynx neutered? I am seeing a range in doing some light internet research. My vet would like to wait until my boy is a year old. He said something about hip development and that it's better to wait to avoid problems later in life. What are the signs it's time? Is it different for Sphynxes in any way from other kittens? I'm really just curious. My baby hasn't exhibited any weird behavior or anything. He is 6 and 1/2 months old. And getting so big!

I'm in the UK, it was minimum 4 months and 4kg. I have Peterbalds so I'm not entirely sure if it different for sphynx.

 

[Odiesmomma]

My boy is 10 months and being neutered today. His breeder told me to neuter him at 6 months but due to a heart murmur (turned out to be HCM), my vet wouldn't schedule it until we knew what was going on.

What I have been dealing with the past month, super crazy aggressive boy, he bites, scratches and attacks me all the time, he is spraying in my house. This is all due to his hormones, its been hard and I was so happy to drop him off this morning..

This all started on May 3rd. Prior to that he was a super sweet boy...

 

[Catzzzmeow]

It will take a couple of weeks for the hormones to be out of his system and hopefully he will be less aggressive. Feel free to update your other post with any changes you see start to see. Your info will help others on the future. @Odiesmomma