Can You Spay A Pregnant Cat? Vet Explains

As a pet owner, an unexpected pregnancy can certainly throw you for a loop.

You likely have a lot of questions swirling through your mind about how to handle the situation. One of the most common questions is: can you spay a pregnant cat?

Is It Possible to Spay a Pregnant Cat?

The short answer is yes, it is technically possible to spay a pregnant cat. Spaying is the medical term for an ovariohysterectomy - the surgical removal of a female cat’s reproductive organs (the ovaries and uterus).

Spaying a pregnant cat is essentially the same procedure as spaying a non-pregnant cat, with one major exception - the developing fetuses (unborn kittens) in the uterus will also be removed.

So spaying a pregnant cat also results in terminating the pregnancy - aborting the kittens. This aspect makes spaying pregnant cats extremely controversial.

What Are the Pros of Spaying a Pregnant Cat?

There are some valid reasons why an owner or veterinarian may recommend spaying a pregnant cat:

• Preventing pet overpopulation - Millions of unwanted cats are euthanized in shelters each year. Spaying pregnant cats can help control cat overpopulation.

• Health of the mother - Pregnancy can be very taxing on a cat’s body, especially very young or old cats. Spaying may be recommended to protect the health of the mother.

• Limited resources - Pregnancy and raising a litter requires time, money, and care. Spaying may be suggested if resources to properly care for a litter are limited.

• Prevent future pregnancies - Once a cat gives birth, she can get pregnant again very quickly - as early as 6 weeks later. Spaying prevents this cycle.

• Younger adoption age - A spayed female won’t be caring for kittens, allowing her to be adopted sooner.

• Shelter space - In shelters, a litter of kittens takes up space and resources that could potentially house adult cats awaiting adoption.

So in many cases, spaying a pregnant cat can help address some of the challenges around cat overpopulation that we face today.

What Are the Cons of Spaying a Pregnant Cat?

The biggest con associated with spaying a pregnant cat is the termination of the unborn kittens. This aspect of spaying pregnant cats makes many people very uncomfortable.

Some other cons include:

• Ethical concerns - There are ethical debates around terminating feline fetuses that some vets and owners feel strongly about.

• Risks of surgery - There are slight increased risks related to the anesthesia and procedure when spaying a pregnant cat.

• Adoptability of kittens - Kittens are usually very adoptable. Allowing them to be born can get them into good homes.

• Difficult emotions - Making this decision can be an emotional and challenging position for many owners to be in.

So while spaying a pregnant cat can help address issues like overpopulation, the ethics of aborting kittens makes it a very complex issue with no easy solutions. Owners need to reflect carefully and consider all sides.

What Factors Should Impact Your Decision?

If you find yourself in the position of deciding whether to spay a pregnant cat, here are some important factors to keep in mind:

How far along is the pregnancy?

• If it is early in the pregnancy, especially in the first 3-4 weeks, spaying may be recommended by your vet.
• Terminating kittens in late-term pregnancies is avoided by many vets and owners due to ethical concerns.

Age and health of the cat

• For very young or old cats, the health risks of continuing a pregnancy may outweigh other factors. Your vet can advise you here.

Ability to care for the kittens

• Consider whether you can provide all the time, money and care to properly raise the litter. If not, spaying may be recommended.

Options for rehoming the cat and kittens

• Do you personally have space to keep any? Can you find good homes for the others? If good options exist, some owners opt to allow the pregnancy to continue.

Your personal comfort level

• This is a very complex issue emotionally. Listen to your gut - only you can make the decision that feels right to you.

It is advisable to discuss your particular situation with your veterinarian. They can provide guidance based on the cat’s health and other circumstances. There are good arguments on both sides, so take your time making a decision.

What Are the Risks of Spaying a Pregnant Cat?

The risks associated with spaying a pregnant cat are relatively low. However, there are some slightly elevated risks compared to spaying a non-pregnant cat:

• Bleeding - There is increased blood flow to the uterus during pregnancy. The risk of bleeding is slightly higher.

• Infection - Any surgery poses an infection risk. The darkened uterus may increase chances slightly.

• Difficulty anesthetizing - Some anesthesia adjustments may be needed for the health of the kittens.

• Miscarriage - Very rarely, the stress of anesthesia or surgery itself can cause a cat to miscarry before spaying.

• Uterine rupture - The pregnant enlarged uterus is more susceptible to accidental organ damage during surgery.

However, when performed by an experienced veterinarian, risks remain unlikely. Your vet can take precautions, such as ultrasound guidance and equipment adjustments, to reduce risks as much as possible.

Be sure to follow all your vet’s post-op care instructions carefully, including restrictions on activity, to support healing.

What Is the Process for Spaying a Pregnant Cat?

The process for spaying a pregnant cat follows the same surgical procedure as for non-pregnant cats. Here are the basic steps:

Pre-op exam - Your vet will listen to your cat’s heart and lungs, feel her abdomen, and check her overall health before surgery. They may run tests if the pregnancy poses any health risks.

Anesthesia - Your cat will be put under general anesthesia so she feels no pain during the surgery. The medications and dosing may be adjusted due to the pregnancy.

Abdominal incision - A small incision is made near the middle to lower abdomen. The reproductive organs are then located and removed through this incision.

Ovariohysterectomy - The ovaries and uterus containing the fetuses are surgically removed from the body. The incision is stitched closed.

Recovery - Your cat will remain at the clinic until the anesthesia fully wears off. You’ll receive post-op care instructions for her recuperation.

The whole process usually takes less than an hour. While risks are minimal, your vet will monitor your cat closely throughout the procedure and her initial recovery.

Caring for Your Cat After Spaying While Pregnant

After the spay surgery, your cat will need proper care during her recovery:

• Limit activity for 10-14 days until incision heals. Keep her quiet, indoors, and away from other pets.

• Prevent licking of incision site with an e-collar if needed. Licking can cause infection.

• Pain management - Give all medications as directed by your vet.

• Watch for complications - Look for signs of bleeding, infection, fatigue, or loss of appetite. Contact your vet promptly if concerned.

• Support good nutrition with your cat’s regular high-quality food. Good nutrition supports healing.

• Schedule a follow-up appointment so your vet can check that the incision has healed properly.

With your gentle care and attention, your cat should make a full recovery and return to her normal self within a couple weeks!

Spaying a pregnant cat is a complex decision with compelling arguments on both sides of the issue. While there are small risks associated with the surgery, an experienced vet can perform the procedure safely in most cases.

If faced with this situation, take time to thoroughly understand all the considerations, weigh input from your vet, and come to a decision that you feel comfortable with. Remember to always show your cat plenty of love and care during this challenging time!