Is it that more dangerous to spay a kitten that is going into heat? ?

Question

I have a 6 mo old kitten that needs to be spayed. I have an appointment for her on 9/2 but should I wait or should I see about moving the appointment sooner? I have calls in to 2 vets but just looking for some additional help in the meantime. She is just spotting. She's not rolling around or meowing. The spotting started about a week ago. (maybe less) Time is flying. I've already had her for 14 days. She's a rescue (found on street, very thin). She was checked by the vet on Sat and is doing well. I forgot to mention that to the vet. It was crazy. He got interrupted many times so the appointment was harried and long. I was there for an hour. (most of the time, just waiting)

Answer 1

It's fairly rare for cats to bleed when they're in heat.  Heat is not a kitty period.  It may be something else.  

It's more dangerous, but not a whole lot more.  If you can avoid it then great but if you're worried about her slipping off then go ahead and get it done.  They can go into heat very often in the summer so by the time she's over it and you make a new appointment she could be back in heat.  

The vet claimed that my ex-stray girl was in heat when she was spayed earlier this summer even though we waited until she stopped acting like it (she never bled).  He said she was just in heat constantly.  She's perfectly fine and had no issues with her recovery.  I think there's an increased risk of infection.  I would ask the vet for their opinion.  

But I would also make sure that the bleeding isn't a sign of some problem.

good luck!  congrats on your new kitty and cheers to you for getting her fixed!

Answer 2

I have read and talked to vets about this because i was in teh same situation. It is much better to do before they go into heat and a soon as possible to reduse the chances of brest cancer.  

Answer 3

Spaying a cat in heat is sometimes just unavoidable.  It is nowhere as complicated or dangerous as spaying a dog in heat.  I would not hesitate to do it anyway.

The only thing I would remind you to have done is the Pre anesthetic blood work.  Never pass that up.  She should be just fine  :)

Answer 4

In rescue we have cats/kittens spayed while in heat frequently.  This time of year it's pretty hard to coordinate a spay appointment with a cat *not* being in heat, as many of them will be almost continually be in heat.  There is increased blood flow to the uterus at this time, so the vet just needs to be a little more careful when they are tying off the veins and arteries that go to the uterus.  And this is something that a good vet would be doing anyway!  It's really no more dangerous than a spay at any other time.  The sooner she gets spayed, the fewer heat cycles she'll have to experience, and her risks of mammary cancer will be decreased.  The sooner she's spayed, the sooner she'll be recovered from her surgery!  I am sure she'll be fine, but we always do worry about them :o)