We were enquiring to book our 2 female kittens in for spaying next month at our vet when we were given the option of either a belly incision or a flank incision. I just assumed it would just be on the belly, but now we are confronted with a decision. The receptionist said that some cat owners opt for the belly incision as sometimes after the fur has been shaved the fur may grow back a different colour (they were not sure though if this was the case for bengals but it can be for Siamese). But we really don't want this to happen on our bengals! The belly incision is more expensive. Has anyone else had this option? What do people go for? Has anyone had the flank incision on their bengal and all been ok with the hair colour?

All my cats have only ever been spayed with the flank incision and I've never had any problems with the pattern but I've only had 3 Bengals though and none were for showing. I think the belly incision can take a little longer to recover from but it seems to be the usual way of doing it in some European countries.

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I assumed that it would be a belly incision, until i got the option as well. We went for a flank as it is a quicker healing time (until Freya deceided to rip herself open) My thought as well (could be talking complete rubbish - so please correct me if i am wrong) but if they cut through the belly muscle, does this contribute to the 'sagging' you sometimes see on lady felines? as the muscle isn't a strong once it has been cut.
Freyas coat is fine now it has grown back by the way.

the colour would only be a concern in a snow bengal as they have the siamese gene...it could grow back slightly darker, although it only happens now & again.
it's not a problem in browns.
most vets routinely spay via the flank & only do midline (belly) if it specifically requested.

Flank spay is a lot gentler on the cat and recovery time quicker. Bengals coats do not come back with a different colour. This happens to pointed cats i.e. Siamese/Tonks. To the cats this happens to the colour will change back to its normal after a good shedding.

I have all my females spayed via the flank. The only time you need an mid-line spay is if you are using a particular female for showing.

Regards

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Best wishes, Sue
Chataya - United Kingdom Tonkinese Breeder
(retired Bengal breeder)

aah that's handy to know sue, thanks.
sorry to anyone if i gave misleading info...i'm still learning too

Thanks, thats all really useful information. I think we shall go with the flank option then

Hi Tamsssin

I had my bengal female mid-line spayed about 2 years ago. This is the only female I have ever had done as always had males in the past. My vets only do mid-line spay & I have to say she recovered very quickly The other thing I have noticed is she still has a nice long lean look to her as opposed to them gaining weight when they are done she has done this but still has a nice shape!!

The choice is ultimately yours but just thought I would share the info I have.

Hope you do not think I am interferring & hope this may help

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Wow - I've never even heard of a flank incision. The things you learn on the forums...

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Me and My family

7 Gliders
2 dogs
2 cats - Chairman Meow (Tabby) and Phoenix (Brown Bengal)

Here in the US, the belly incision is the regular way to spay. Flank incision usually isn't done unless requested or needed for medical reason. I think Britain is the only place where flank incision is the regular way of doing it. Anyway, I think unless you have a snow bengal you probably don't have to worry about the fur growing back in a different color.

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- Don't forget Bengal Rescue!

I assumed that the vet would spay Agni through the flank, I was surprised when I collected her that she had been spayed through the belly. Her recovery was fairly quick although she had to have a head collar for 10 days!

In France "new" vets do it mid line because that's how we learn to do it , and it allows us to see if the womb is ok and remove it if necessary (on cats which were on the pill for a few years for eg.).

As for the sagging, that's not the cause . The sagging is the well I don't know in english but the nice french name is "panicule adipeux félin" . It's some fat that a lot a cats have, even though they may be quite lean otherwise (Onyx has it). I think Bengals are not prone to it though.

And the cut is not through the belly muscle but through the white line. The white line is the "scar" resulting from the union of the right and left belly muscles, it doesn't bleed when you cut it and heals pretty well .
On the other side, when you cut through the flank, you cut through the muscles there...

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AnnC, Onyx and Chaos

http://onyx-et-chaos.over-blog.com/

Saffy (my snow girl) had a flank spay operation and the fur initially grew back darker in that one place, but the other side then proceeded to catch up (colour-wise) some months later.

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