Kittens first heat

Question
If a kitten seems to be starting her first heat, we're not sure of the age, estimating 6 months, can she still be spayed if it has begun. I do have an appt in 2 weeks, but wondering if I should just wait or try to get her in a soon as possible. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Answer
Mary,

A kitten can certainly be spayed even if they are in heat. Some vets will charge a slightly higher fee if your cat is pregnant or in heat because the reproductive tissues will be somewhat engorged with blood which can result in a more prolonged surgery. So long as your cat has received her vaccines the vet will be able to go ahead with the surgery. I do recommend that your cat be properly vaccinated prior to surgery to avoid the possibility of contracting serious contagious viral infections that cats are routinely vaccinated against. Many vets will recommend that you try to keep your cat quiet and encourage them to rest after surgery, but in my experience cats are anything but quiet after being spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering are routine surgical procedures that generally have a low complication rate, but it is important to be aware that there is always a small risk with any surgery. Risks to cats and their health during surgery are significantly reduced by the use of human anesthetic agents and proper pain management. I hope that this information has been helpful. If you have any further questions, concerns, or you would simply like to send an update or some pictures my way, please feel free to contact me again.