What to prepare before neutering a cat

Check if the cat is in heat

Before neutering, ensure that the cat is not in heat. This is because during the heat period, the physiological organs become congested, and surgery during this time may lead to heavier bleeding.

Get the necessary vaccinations

Before neutering the cat, make sure it has received all the required vaccinations to ensure a healthy state. As the cat's resistance will drop after the operation, it's more susceptible to diseases if it doesn't have enough antibody levels.

Fasting and water deprivation

Before taking the cat to the veterinary hospital for neutering, the owner needs to fasting and water deprivation for at least 8 hours for food and 4 hours for water. This prevents food regurgitation during the operation, which could lead to choking and asphyxiation. If the cat hasn't fasted long enough before surgery, it may experience food regurgitation during anesthesia, potentially causing aspiration pneumonia and even endangering its life.

Pre-operative examination

As neutering involves anesthesia, many cats haven't undergone examinations chosen by their owners, and the anesthetic metabolizes slowly, causing them to not survive the operation. Therefore, a pre-operative biochemical examination is necessary to check the liver and kidney functions to determine whether the cat can tolerate the risks of anesthesia. This helps the surgeon adjust the surgical and anesthetic methods according to the cat's physical condition.

Prepare necessary items

After the neutering surgery, anesthesia may affect the cat's ability to regulate its body temperature. The owner needs to prepare warm blankets and a comfortable box, preferably large enough for the cat to lie down in. Additionally, wet wipes, specialized cat eye drops, and iodine solution should be prepared for post-operative care.