At what age should Scottish cats be spayed and neutered?

Reasons for castration and minimum age

There are the following reasons why a kitten should be neutered:

1. A cat that has reached sexual maturity will begin to demand a cat several times a year. In this case, the animal will meow loudly and may show aggression.
2. A cat that is not spayed on time will mark its territory to avoid other cats, even if it is the only animal in the house. The tags have a strong, unpleasant odor and are difficult to remove from clothing, shoes and upholstered furniture. They can eat into carpets and floors.

A Scottish Fold kitten is ready for sterilization at 10 months. Before surgery, it is important to take your pet to a veterinarian so that he can assess how quickly the animal is developing and whether it is ready for sterilization.

Period after surgery

The postoperative period takes place over several days. However, the first day will be the most difficult: the cat will not understand where he is and what is happening, he will definitely urinate on himself a couple of times, because. will not reach the tray and will refuse to eat. This is normal and not worth worrying about.

After the operation, the cat must be provided with a warm place on the floor, on a bedding, covered with a blanket, because at this time, the tailed animal’s internal thermoregulation will be disrupted. You can't put it on the sofa, because... due to poor coordination after anesthesia, the cat may simply fall. Besides, he can't jump yet.

You can place a special urine-absorbing napkin or even two under the cat. This is in case he pees himself.

The next day after the operation, the cat, having had a good night's sleep and finally recovered from anesthesia, will begin to move around the apartment normally and will show interest in food, which should be next to its place.

You need to make sure that the cat does not lick his surgical wound, because... he can damage her.

General nuances

The most popular methods of castration are vasectomy and surgery. In the first case, the veterinarian will tighten the animal's vas deferens. As a result, it will be sterile, but will still be able to leave marks. In the second case, the pet's testicles will be removed. This will result in him never asking for the cat or marking his territory again.

It is worth considering one more nuance before taking your pet for castration - the animal must be sterilized before its first mating occurs. If it was already there, sex hormones will not stop being produced even after the operation. In this case, the cat will still demand the cat.

How is the operation performed?

On the day of surgery, the doctor must check the cat's condition. After this, he is taken to the operating table, where anesthesia is given. Before the operation, the area around the testicles is shaved or hair plucked.

Then it all depends on whether the cat has cryptorchid or not. For non-cryptorchids, the testicles are quickly removed. With cryptorchids, everything goes according to a more complicated scheme: before cutting off the testicles, the doctor has to look for them.

After the operation, the cat can be given to the owners in a state of anesthesia, then the pet will come out of it at home. Or you can recover from anesthesia with the help of medications while still in the clinic: then the cat will go home already conscious. Good clinics do not return unconscious animals to their owners.

Features of castration at different ages

If the operation is performed before 10 months, complications may arise that can cause diseases: bladder and kidney diseases. The reason is that a kitten’s urethra is fully formed only by 10 months. Due to early sterilization, it will not have time to develop. As a result, the consequences of castration will include urethral obstruction.

It is also worth considering that early castration has a bad effect on the development of a cat. It will be smaller in size than its counterparts who did not undergo surgery. In the case of the Scottish breed, it is important to be careful because spaying too early can distort the animal's proportions and make its head disproportionately small.

You should not castrate cats older than 3 years, because at this age the risk of complications is higher. Internal bleeding may begin. In addition, the metabolism of adult animals is slower than that of kittens, and after surgery, the metabolic rate will decrease even more and lead to obesity.

Kittens at 10-12 months can be operated on under local anesthesia. An adult animal will need a general one, and this is harmful to the pet’s health.

Preparing for castration of a Scottish cat.

Castration of Scottish cats is painless for them - with the use of general anesthesia. Due to the fact that Scottish cats, like British cats, have a higher percentage of congenital heart problems, you need to be more careful in preparation before anesthesia. Of course, in most cats, serious problems, if any, are identified very early and the owners, as a rule, find out about them before they decide to castrate them.

Signs of heart problems are fatigue, shortness of breath; cats with heart problems tolerate heat and active games very poorly. If your cat has these signs, consult your veterinarian about the possibility of castration.

If your cat does not have obvious signs of illness, he is active and cheerful and in good health - he can and even should be neutered. In this case, it will be necessary not to feed him on the eve of the operation and not to give him water to drink, this will make the anesthesia easier to tolerate.

How is Scottish cats sterilized?

— Most often, veterinarians resort to two methods: sterilization with removal of the ovaries and sterilization with removal of the ovaries and uterus. Both methods stop screaming and spree and prevent pregnancy, but the second is more preferable because it helps prevent the development of uterine diseases and breast cancer.

Contraindications to sterilization:

1. Age up to 7 months
2. Presence of parasitic and infectious diseases
3. You cannot sterilize your cat immediately after vaccination.
4. Cats over 5 years old cannot be sterilized without additional research.
5. Pregnancy

In terms of time, sterilization of Scottish cats takes 30-40 minutes; for fold-eared cats it is done in the same way as for straight-eared cats. Cats are sterilized under general anesthesia. Before putting the cat into a state of sleep, the veterinarian performs an examination and auscultation. First, the cat is given a “preparatory injection” that will help the body accept and tolerate anesthesia well, and then general anesthesia is given.

During the operation, the cat will sleep and will not feel anything; after sterilization, cats do not remember anything, they are conscious only for a few seconds after the injection of the anesthetic drug, after which they fall asleep and wake up in a calm environment when the operation is already completed.

Why is the procedure needed?

Sterilization and castration are carried out to normalize hormonal levels in those pets whose sexual needs cannot be satisfied naturally. There are two types of indications for surgery: medical and behavioral.

An indication for surgery may be the behavior of the animal:

• the cat constantly marks the territory, after which a pungent smell of urine remains;
• the pet is aggressive, rushes at people;
• During estrus, the cat suffers, screams loudly, and cannot find a place for itself.

If it is not possible to regularly satisfy your pet’s sexual needs, then it is better to undergo surgery. After it, the animal will stop suffering from dissatisfaction and will become much calmer and more affectionate. After castration, cats stop marking, and their urine loses its pungent odor.

Medical indications are primarily related to the fact that hormonal imbalances can lead to many diseases in pets:

1. Oncological diseases. Cats may develop cancer of the mammary glands, ovaries and other genital organs. In cats, prostate cancer comes to the fore.
2. Pathology of the genitourinary system. This category includes urethritis, prostatitis and other inflammatory and infectious diseases. In addition, it has been scientifically proven that this surgical intervention increases the pet’s life expectancy.

• Stop marking the territory;
• Disappearance of the too strong smell of urine;
• Lack of desire to run away from home;
• Stopping aggressive behavior and maintaining a playful nature;
• Increased life expectancy;
• Prevention of prostatitis, prostate tumors, etc.

• Administration of anesthesia (intravenously, often intramuscularly);
• Preparation of the “operation field”;
• Making two or one small incisions in the skin of the scrotum;
• Ligation of the spermatic cords;
• Removal of testes;
• Treating the stump with antiseptics;
• Administration of standard medications (antibiotic, hemostatic).

The operation does not require stitches and is carried out very quickly. The entire procedure will take 15 minutes.

You can choose the option of castration, when the cat sleeps for 3-4 hours (classic option of castration). At the same time, the cat should not eat on this day, and water can be given only 5 hours after the doctor leaves.

There is a more pleasant option of castration, when the cat comes to his senses already in front of the doctor and even goes to accompany the doctor to the doorstep, controlling his body quite well (which is excluded in the classic version). In this option, you are allowed to eat after 2 hours and drink immediately.

If you wish, you can purchase a cat collar from the doctor, which can be worn for the first 2-3 days to prevent the cat from licking the wound.

Immediately after castration, the food does not change, and the cat eats as before, with its usual food. It is recommended to switch to castrated food 3-4 weeks after neutering. When feeding castrated cats, you should follow a special diet that excludes the consumption of fish dishes.

Special habits of the Scots

Scottish Fold
Description of the character of the Scottish Fold cat can be described by their characteristic habits:

• Interesting and even funny leisure habits. They sleep on their backs, which is not typical for cats in principle. This sleeping position is not observed in any other breed of cat.
• Observing something while standing on its hind legs if the object is high.
• To attract attention and receive its share of affection, it can purr and rub its muzzle against a person.
• Can't stand being held or being squeezed. The cat may show its displeasure.
• In pursuit of an object of interest to them, for example, when playing with a person, they run very fast and can climb onto a hill. They jump well, run and have well-developed muscles.
• Scottish cats are usually silent. They voice only in important situations, in their own opinion. If you come across a sociable individual, you need to understand that he will become too sociable. He will accompany with his comments every step of the owner and his own. Many people don't like this behavior. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at the animal’s character while still in the nursery.

How can you recognize the character and disposition of a kitten from childhood? All kittens, due to their age, are active and curious.

Any rustle in the apartment arouses their attention and interest. It’s difficult to see a small kitten doing nothing; they are constantly busy with something and find new things to do. If there is no toy, it will be replaced by any object that comes into the animal’s field of vision

The toy can even be an object imagined in the kitten’s fantasy or a play partner

If there is no toy, it will be replaced by any object that comes into the animal’s field of vision. The toy can even be an object imagined in the kitten’s fantasy or a play partner.

But there are kids who prefer to sit on the sidelines and not participate in these races; they play with their brothers reluctantly and rarely. This behavior is considered normal for this breed. Such individuals are considered less active, cautious, and calm. Such kittens spend time alone, exploring the surrounding space in a measured manner. It has been noticed that such animals are more devoted to their owners.

The letter M on the forehead of a Scottish cat

Good nature and sociability

The Scottish Fold cat breed can be called a model of behavior. They are reserved, well-mannered, and are not inclined to impose their company on a person. But the breed has a pronounced good nature and good sociability. This applies to people and animals. They are not distinguished by vindictiveness, which is observed in other cat breeds. Conflict situations for fold-eared and straight-eared cats are a rare situation in which the cat showed protective measures in response to aggression towards him. If you offend a Scottish dog, he will prefer to hide rather than get into a fight. This is a last resort for them.

How to express your desires

Scots express their desire for something with a special purr, a voice that is characteristic only of this breed

They can rub their muzzle against a person, follow him, and try in every possible way to get attention. They exhibit this behavior in cases of hunger, the need to play, and other situations that they consider important.

Activity

The character of the Scottish Straight cat is phlegmatic. Their movements are measured and unhurried. They rarely run, especially in adulthood. If an adult cat is asked to run after a candy wrapper or a string with a piece of paper, the cat will express its bewilderment and surprise. The best pastime for them is to lie on their bed and take a nap.

Cleanliness

This breed is considered clean. They love to take care of themselves and maintain hygiene. They can spend hours licking their fur. Some owners say that sometimes this ritual is similar to mania, and a person’s touching them is regarded as an encroachment on his freedom. This character trait also applies to the toilet. They should always have a clean tray, but it is not typical for the animal to miss it. Going to other places to relieve yourself is a crime and an extreme rarity for the Scots.

Childbirth among Scots

Let's look at when and how labor begins in a Scottish Fold cat.
The first signs of labor in a cat are brownish vaginal discharge. The behavior of a cat often changes before giving birth: the animal is looking for a place (nest) to give birth, screaming and making attempts, especially if the Scottish female gives birth to kittens for the first time. In such a situation, it is worth staying close to the cat, calming it down and caressing it, and if necessary, helping, delivering the cat’s birth. Kittens are born head first.

Newborn kittens weigh about 100 grams and are a bubble filled with light yellow liquid. After the kittens are born, the mother chews this bladder, releases the cub and licks it to cleanse the lungs. You can help her with this by suctioning the fluid from her nose with an enema while the female gives birth to other kittens.

Kittens come out at intervals that last about 20 minutes, however, the cat can independently increase the duration of labor and delay the appearance of the babies and carry them for another day if something does not suit her or frightens her. After the young mother has been able to give birth to a kitten, the afterbirth comes out.

Kittens open their eyes a week after birth

All Scottish kittens are born with straight ears, and only at 3 weeks of age should you pay attention to the ears; in folds, they begin to droop

Unusual names and nicknames

Fold-eared and straight-eared cats and female cats of the Scottish breed with their round faces and bright eyes look very funny and touching. Many people have a desire to give their pet a funny, unusual name:

• Suitable for Scottish cats: - Boomer; Little Crow; Dirty; Liman; Pepper; Chimney sweep; Dried apricots.
• For straight-eared cats choose: - Otter; Mustard; Devil; Ink; Chucha; Chang; Chernushka; Devil; Chimera.
• For the fold-eared cat and the cat that looks like an alien, they give cosmic names: Star; Space; Moon; Luntik; Neptune; Orbit; Uranus.

There is no rush to choose a name for a Scottish kitten; they carefully look at the pet’s appearance and character. How he walks, eats, plays with other kittens. Any touch helps determine the right choice. Before making a final decision, you should study the metrics of a Scottish kitten, read the recommendations of breeders, and read about the possible options for nicknames for each type of Scottish cat.

Postoperative care rules

Care of the wound surface in cats is not required. However, you need to ensure that your pet does not lick the wound area. If sterilization in cats was carried out laparotomically, then the sutures need to be treated from the second day. For this, antiseptic solutions and ointments are used to improve regeneration.

The main negative consequence for a pet after castration is obesity. Therefore, sooner or later the question arises of what to feed a neutered Scottish cat:

1. If the pet was on a natural diet, then it is necessary to review the diet. First of all, you need to determine your daily calorie intake. After castration, it is recommended to slightly reduce the portion. If previously the norm was calculated using the formula 80 kcal per 1 kg, then after castration the caloric intake decreases: 60–70 kcal per 1 kg. In addition, add more fiber to your diet in the form of vegetables, as well as boiled meat. Also eliminate milk from your diet.
2. If the cat has been eating dry food, it is better to change it to a special product for neutered animals. Such foods have a balanced composition and are also aimed at preventing urolithiasis. For example, Vet Care Nutrition from Royal Canin (premium food) or Proplan food labeled Sterilized.

How does castration affect

You can castrate a Scottish cat without any fears, since the operation, performed by a qualified doctor, does not cause complications and is very easy. After the intervention with the cat, positive changes occur within a month, resulting in the following:

• increased affection;
• great playfulness;
• loss of interest in cats;
• disappearance of the pungent odor of urine;
• stop marking your territory.

If we talk about the negative consequences of castration in Scots cats, then we should highlight the emerging fatness. After removal of the testicles, animals can easily gain excess weight if they are not provided with proper, nutritious nutrition. For this reason, feeding should be coordinated with an experienced physician. You can also refer to the article on feeding Scots.

Minimizing damage

If sterilization is unavoidable, it is necessary to minimize the negative consequences of the operation for the animal. To do this you need:

1. Find a good specialist and a reputable clinic where it is possible to monitor the progress of the operation and provide inpatient care for the animal until recovery;
2. Choose the time: the optimal age for sterilization of Scottish fold cats is 9-10 months; with an earlier operation, the cat’s body will not complete its formation and developmental deviations may be observed; if it is later, the risks increase in proportion to age;
3. Consider post-operative care issues and make an appointment at the veterinary clinic.

READ Types of methods and methods of castration of cats necessary knowledge for owners

There is no consensus among experts on whether an animal should be bred before sterilization. Some believe that this is correct - if you castrate a cat before the first mating, they will never fully mature. Supporters of early operations argue that after mating, sterilization does not necessarily lead to complete freedom from sexual estrus.

Consequences of the operation for Scottish Folds

When castration of fold-eared cats is carried out at too early an age, negative consequences for their body are possible. The genitourinary tract of a Scottish cat is formed only by the age of eight months. Any changes in the urinary system before this time lead to obstruction in the urethra. The situation is aggravated by poor nutrition: an excess of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus leads to the formation of stones in the kidneys and bladder.

The second problem that owners of Scottish Fold cats face after castration is obesity. A special menu is introduced for such animals, and the portion size should be smaller than usual.

In general, a castrated fold-eared cat is no different from an uncastrated animal. He continues to live a full life and delight his owners.