Cat Neutering, Is all this really necessary??

mrsHall2b

Shoshannah wrote: »

I would imagine it costs the NHS substantially more than £25, or even £60 for that matter, to perform a hysterectomy. A cat spay is abdominal surgery at the end of the day.

Even priced at £60, practices perform neuters at a loss.

Yeah I understand that, but I meant in terms of risk and how long they have to stay in. Obviously there can be complications as with anything which could make it serious, but when my girl was spayed she came home a couple of hours later, had some food and it was as if it never happened. It is something they do day in day out, what would the prices be for some really big unusual op or problem?

Previously id only had rats which I had to take to vets myself which where obviously significantly cheaper than the cat.

Shoshannah

mrsHall2b wrote: »

Yeah I understand that, but I meant in terms of risk and how long they have to stay in. Obviously there can be complications as with anything which could make it serious, but when my girl was spayed she came home a couple of hours later, had some food and it was as if it never happened. It is something they do day in day out, what would the prices be for some really big unusual op or problem?

Previously id only had rats which I had to take to vets myself which where obviously significantly cheaper than the cat.

I don't know what the average price for a b1tch spay is these days, but it can vary from £100-200. For comparison, the same op for a pyometra (same procedure, admittedly slightly more complex) can be £600-800. The latter price better represents that actual cost in terms of time and consumables.

Shoshannah

And you're right, a cat spay is a reasonably straightforward procedure, although complications can unfortunately always happen. At our practice a cat spay is around £54. This includes:

- admittance procedure and vet check up prior to the operation.
- pre-med injection and two painkilling injections, plus the syringes and needles in which these are given.
- a space in a kennel which later has to be cleaned, bedding that has to be washed, litter and food which need to be paid for.
- an IV catheter (these are not cheap to buy), tape and bandage to secure it. The vet or nurse placing it has been trained to do so.
- injectable anaesthetic to induce anaesthesia, plus the needle and syringe to give this.
- local anaesthetic spray for the larynx.
- placement of an endotracheal tube which later needs to be cleaned, and must be replaced at regular intervals.
- connection to an anaesthetic machine via a circuit which requires regular servicing, including replacement parts, and cleaning.
- isoflurane (comes in bottles) and oxygen (comes in cylinders).
- a heat pad and beanbag to retain heat during the operation, which require cleaning. Also disposable gloves and bandages on the paws to help maintain body temperature.
- clipping the fur; the clipper blades need sending off for sharpening at regular intervals.
- cotton wool, antiseptic and surgical spirit to cleanse the skin.
- theatre space, cleaning of theatre, maintenance and stringent cleaning of the table, sink, lights etc.
- anaesthetic monitoring carried out by a qualified nurse who has trained for several years and who pays to be registered with the RCVS. The stethoscope, thermometer and blood pressure machine she uses all cost money.
- the pulse ox and capnography monitoring machines, which are an outlay and require maintenance.
- intravenous fluids supplied if needed - including giving set and the drip bag.
- surgical drapes for the patient, plus gown, hat and gloves for the surgeon.
- surgical kit, which requires autoclaving with every use and replacing as necessary.
- scalpel blade.
- surgical swabs.
- the surgical time (ranges from 20-40 minutes including prep time), with surgery carried out by a vet who has trained for at least five years and who pays to be registered with the RCVS.
- suture material to tie off pedicles and vessels, and to stitch the body wall afterwards.
- incubator to keep the patient warm in recovery, which requires cleaning afterwards.
- used materials and the removed tissues need to be disposed of in clinical waste, at a cost.
- the needles and scalpel blade are disposed of in sharps, at a cost.
- time for a nurse to monitor the patient in recovery.
- printed discharge instructions and time for a discharge appointment.
- post-op phone call the following day to check on the patient's progress.
- time and staff allocated for a post-op check, plus the blade for suture removal if non-absorbable sutures have been used.

That's before complications arise. All the above is not as cheap as we would like to think. £54 is a bargain, really, for what is abdominal surgery at the end of the day. It costs me more than that to fill up my car with petrol.

loobylou2

Thank you so much to everyone for your replies. Tango is booked in to be neutered tomorrow so we'll see how it goes. Poor mite is in for a shock but it needs to be done!!!!!