Stray Cat Ear Tipping ....

My friend's stray cat was recently spayed for free at a licensed clinic.  When they picked up the cat after her surgery, they were shocked to see that part of the cat's ear was cut off (ear tipping). Nobody ever told them about this procedure -- is it painful for the cat afterwards for the ear to heal?

Is this absolutely necessary when a stray is neutered for free at a clinic?  

Wouldn't the staff or the Vet mention this to their client before the procedure so this type of confusion wouldn't happen.

She is healthy and safe, healing well, and my friend has newly adopted the cat .. we just wondered if this is always done because this seems so cruel to do to a pet.

Thanks,

C & L

[Jennifer Mathis, D.V.M.]

I have heard of this and believe it should be done when done for the right reasons under a hospital policy AND informing the owner prior.
The policy I am familiar with in a hospital locally is that it is done to all cats that are spayed/neutered at a sharp discount (in your case free) to control the cat population.  This special spay/neuter pricing is only done for the barn/ferral cat population, not for strays intended to be adopted to new homes.  ie an owner with lots of cats running around the farm that they rarely can catch and so many of them look alike.  ie if an ear is notched, then you can tell at a glance that the cat they've caught is spayed/neutered and if the cat roams to another adjacent farm, the neighbor knows that the pet is neutered and won't contribute to population issues.
By stating the policy up front to clients, it also makes sure that people don't take advantage of the generosity of the veterinarian's goal to control the pet population. ie if a friend hears that a barn cat will be neutered for next to nothing, they may try to get a cheap spay/neuter for their family pet.  The education, surgical costs, anesthesia costs, physical hospital costs are still present no matter.  The only reason it is done for next to nothing is to try to help control the pet population.  It is a loss of money - not even breaking even to do a neuter this way.  The hospital doesn't get product donated for those procedures unlike shelters.  If a person wishes to state that it's a barn cat to get the special price and is okay with the ear tipping, then it probably is truly a barn cat.  If the ear tip (cosmetic) is of concern, then it's likely a pet and should pay regular price for the procedure.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi,

Thanks so much for the info!  We feel a lot better knowing this wasn't something done that was cruel or against protocol.  It was well-after the surgery my friends changed their mind and decided to take the cat in as a family pet ... so looks like all have benefited.

C~

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

Thanks Dr. Mathis.  Great info!