Should cats be sterilized or given medications?

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After 7-9 months from birth, the cat becomes sexually mature. This means unusual behavior of the pet, loud screams, scratching, noisy fussing at night. Not every owner is happy to see the persistent desire to see a cat, as well as the appearance of offspring. To avoid health problems from unfulfilled cat instincts and difficulties with the placement of numerous kittens, a special operation has been developed - cat sterilization .

Today there are several approaches to this important and sensitive issue of cat health and peace of mind, so let’s dive into the nuances of surgical intervention in the cat’s body in order to prevent the possibility of the animal’s reproduction.

Pros and cons of sterilization

Sterilization, like any surgical process, has advantages and disadvantages.

The arguments “For” include the following arguments:

• a cat is capable of bringing kittens not only annually, but even quarterly, up to 6 kittens at a time. Not all owners want to solve the problem of finding homes for all their children;
• the behavior of an animal during estrus is often inadequate: nighttime guttural cries, lack of appetite, a pervasive smell of urine in the house due to the cat’s desire to mark everything around with its smell;
• if there are babies in the house, a sterilized animal will not bring infection into the house;
• bearing and giving birth to offspring can cost the life of the owner’s beloved cat;
• if a cat is not allowed near the cat during heat, then a large amount of extra hormones appears, which has a detrimental effect on the pet’s psyche;
• increasing the lifespan of a cat.

It is also worth listening to the arguments “against” and drawing conclusions: this is an invasion of the natural course of events planned by nature. It turns out that a person first of all worries about his own peace of mind, and only then about the health of his pet.

The operation may not go as smoothly as we would like; it is difficult for the animal to recover from anesthesia and regain strength.

It is also important to understand that sterilization of a cat is an irreversible process, and the owner will never see kittens from his pet.

Reasons for the procedure

Chemical (medical) castration in the Russian Federation is used in medicine for prostate cancer.
Testosterone itself, even when administered externally as hormone replacement therapy, does not provoke the development of prostate cancer. But if pathological cells have already appeared, then dihydrotestosterone (a testosterone derivative) promotes their proliferation. To stop the malignant process and block the action of androgen, chemical castration is performed. The functions of the gonads are temporarily stopped, testosterone stops interacting with prostate receptors and transforming into an active metabolite. In a number of countries, medical castration is a punishment for pedophiles. In the Russian Federation, this is theoretically possible, but the procedure is not clearly stated in legislative acts and is not practiced.

Chemical castration law

The issue of forced chemical castration of pedophiles has been raised in the Russian Federation several times. For the first time, the proposal to use the procedure as a punishment for criminals was put forward in May 2011 by Prime Minister D. Medvedev. In July of the same year, the law on chemical castration was rejected due to the high costs of its implementation and the lack of guarantees of effectiveness (according to the experience of foreign countries, every 3rd criminal after chemical castration retains the ability to perform sexual acts).

Will chemical castration help solve the problem of pedophilia? Lawyer Alexander Gambaryan and head of the psychiatric department of the mental health center Igor Salganik answer the question

In February 2012, the project was nevertheless approved by the Federation Council. On February 29, 2012, Law No. 14-FZ was signed on introducing appropriate changes to the Criminal Code in terms of toughening punishment for persons who have committed sexual crimes against minors. However, contrary to information from information sources, the concept of “chemical castration” is never mentioned in the text. There is a mention of compulsory medical measures, but they mean treatment in psychiatric clinics (Article 99 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). This measure can be applied to a criminal only with his consent and then upon confirmation by an expert examination of the presence of psychosexual disorders. An examination can also be carried out with the consent of the convicted person and after he makes such a request to the administration of the institution. The exception is for persons with previously diagnosed mental disorders.

At the moment, there is no official information about the use of forced chemical castration in the Russian Federation as a punishment. There were also no cases of voluntary consent to this procedure.

When to spay a cat

global $ads_google;
//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> At a young age, the operation is easier and more successful: the recommended age of the animal is 8-12 months. The cat is taken to the veterinarian for examination, because it is important to make sure that the pet is physically healthy and developed. Early surgery may cause developmental delays in the animal.

It is also possible to perform sterilization during estrus. But during this period, due to the large amount of hormones in the cat’s body, it will be difficult to recover from anesthesia, and the sutures may take longer to heal than usual. The best time to perform the operation is a couple of weeks before the hunting period or two weeks after it.

If estrus lasts a long time, interrupting only for 2-4 days, then it becomes difficult to find the time. In this case, the pet is sterilized to prevent excessive depletion of its body.

Another important question that concerns some owners: is it possible to sterilize a pregnant cat ? There is a separate name for this process: extirpation of the pregnant uterus. Surgery is performed in emergency cases that require saving the cat's life.

Types of cat sterilization

There are several ways to perform the operation: chemical and surgical.

1. Tubal occlusion: The cat's fallopian tubes are ligated, eliminating the possibility of pregnancy. Although the intervention is surgical, the reproductive organs are not removed.
2. Sterilization is classic - along the white line of the abdomen or an alternative option: through a side incision. In this case, the incision is made on the side, and the muscles are separated using a blunt method. Although the method is less traumatic than the previous one, the uterus is not always completely removed. No seam maintenance is required. An intradermal suture allows the cat to immediately resume its usual lifestyle, gradually restoring its health.

3. Sterilization through a very small incision using a surgical hook. A synonym is laparoscopic sterilization, which is not entirely correct, since the peritoneum and skin are also cut, but with a much smaller incision along the length. A disinfected hook is inserted into the wound and used to hook the ligament to the ovary. A ligature is applied and the ovary with a ligament or the entire uterus is removed.
4. Laparoscopy as sterilization (ecdoscopic): Thanks to endoscopic technologies, punctures are made in the skin of the abdominal wall and the uterus and ovaries are completely removed. Expensive equipment is used, so the cost of the operation remains high.
5. Chemical method or temporary sterilization: a special implant containing a drug is inserted under the animal’s skin. The substance gradually enters the bloodstream and the cat develops a reversible sterilization effect for up to three years.

They choose the appropriate method responsibly: they study veterinary clinics and reviews of them from professional breeders. Saving money and haste are bad advisors in this matter.

Castration of a cat

If during sterilization , which is also called oophorectomy (OE), the ovaries are surgically removed, then during castration both the ovaries and the uterus are removed. Such intervention in the body can be planned or according to indications. There are no contraindications for castration based on the age of the cat.

How is laparoscopic sterilization performed?

After putting the animal under anesthesia, an incision of about 1 cm is made in order to insert a hook into the abdominal cavity. This device moves the intestinal loops and picks up the uterine horn. The uterus along with the ovaries are pulled out through a tiny wound.

This is possible due to the elasticity of cat tissues, especially at a young age.

Then the pulled out organs are strongly pulled out to apply a ligature to the arteries of the ovaries and ligaments, as well as to the horns of the uterus. The process of stretching is very serious, because in fact it is on the verge of breaking the ovarian ligament.

The uterus is cut off and removed, the centimeter incision is sutured: such a seam is not processed or covered with a blanket, since the cat will not be able to lick it.

Prevention of complications

To minimize the risk of side effects, antiandrogen therapy is supplemented with auxiliary drugs. To prevent complications from the cardiovascular system (often arising with the introduction of analogues of female hormones), Aspirin (75-100 mg per day), Warfarin (1 mg per day), and horse chestnut tincture are prescribed.

If the purpose of chemical castration is to treat a tumor, then partly maintaining sexual desire and preventing gynecomastia can be done with the help of PDE-5 inhibitors (Viagra), tamoxifen, and aromatase inhibitors.

Tamoxifen is a non-steroidal anti-estrogenic drug characterized by the ability to suppress tumor processes

Decreased muscle tone can be corrected by physical activity. To prevent osteoporosis, calcium supplements, bisphosphonates, and vitamin D are prescribed. As a concomitant therapy for severe disorders and psychogenic disorders, the antipsychotic (neuroleptic) Benperidol is administered.

Chemical castration is used only in extreme cases. It is absolutely not suitable as a method of contraception. Scientists are constantly working to minimize side effects, but there are no safe options for antiandrogen therapy yet.

Site expert Svetlana Igorevna Bozhko Graduated from Lugansk State Medical University in 1998 with a degree in General Medicine. I have completed advanced training courses 4 times, the last time in 2021, and have the first qualification category. 23 years of medical practice experience.

Preparing a cat for sterilization

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//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> The process of preparing for the operation is taken with the utmost seriousness, because general anesthesia is used.

Be sure to follow all the recommendations of the veterinarian!

Before surgery, tests and ultrasound may be prescribed, and a visit to a cardiologist and therapist is recommended. Such precautions serve to ensure the safety of the animal and the doctor’s confidence in the absence of unpleasant surprises during work. Such precautions are relevant for cats over 10 years of age due to possible pathologies of internal organs.

Before sterilization, the cat should not eat for 8 to 12 hours, and 3 hours before the operation the animal is not allowed to drink, otherwise severe vomiting will occur during the induction of anesthesia. Vomit easily enters the respiratory tract, introducing various types of bacteria.

For everything to go well, you must comply with all the requirements for preparing your pet for anesthesia.

Treatment of post-castration syndrome

First, the doctor must make sure that this is definitely post-castration syndrome and not another disease. Treatment of post-castration syndrome should be comprehensive. Usually the course begins with taking sedatives and restoratives, vitamins, tranquilizers, and antipsychotics. The patient is prescribed physical therapy, sessions of water procedures and UV radiation.

The treatment period depends on how seriously ill the patient is. In some cases, a course of long-term hormonal therapy is prescribed. It should be remembered that you cannot take medications on your own; only your doctor can prescribe medications.

The duration of the patient’s treatment period depends on his age and general condition of the body and well-being at the moment. One of the unpleasant consequences of castration is osteoporosis. This disease is quite dangerous to health and leads to damage to the integrity of bones.

To treat such an insidious disease, not only medications are recommended, but also traditional medicine.

Some experts are confident that before castration it is necessary to conduct psychotherapeutic preparation of a man for surgery. The patient should be aware of what awaits him after castration. It is very important to see a doctor in a timely manner, because some castrated patients begin to have thoughts of suicide.

Sterilizing a cat at home

The procedure for sterilizing a pet at home is no different from the same operation, but in a clinic. Everything is going according to plan:

1. Examination of the pet's health, including urine, blood, ECG, and ultrasound tests.
2. Preparation for the chosen method of operation: stop feeding your pet 8-12 hours before the due date, and drinking 3 hours before the start of action.
3. Introducing an animal into anesthesia.
4. Carrying out surgery, suturing.
5. The postoperative period consists of caring for the cat immediately after it comes out of anesthesia.

It is important to ensure that your pet does not lick the seam even through the blanket.

Caring for a cat after sterilization

While a cat is under anesthesia, its body temperature is reduced, so when it comes out of this state, it is important to provide warmth to the animal, using a blanket. The cat is placed on a bed on the floor - the animal may fall or hit itself from higher objects. An absorbent diaper is placed under the animal: urination is not yet controlled.

It is also important to take care of the animal’s eyes: they are open during anesthesia, and to prevent the cornea from drying out, it is better to periodically drip “artificial tears” or regular saline into the eyes.

Since the anesthesia lasts for some time, the cat can jump up and run, jump on furniture, and due to a violation in the coordination of movements, it needs an eye and an eye.

All doctor’s recommendations must be followed impeccably, because the restoration of the cat’s health depends on this.

In order to prevent inflammatory processes in the body, antibiotic therapy may be prescribed. Long-acting antibiotics are used, such as Sinulox, amoxoil, amoxicillin. A pair of injections are required, spaced 48 hours apart.

After sterilization, the cat recovers in about 10 days. Some clinics offer hospitalization of the animal for the entire recovery period under the supervision of specialists.

Feeding the cat

The first drink is given to the animal 5-7 hours after the operation, and after abdominal surgery the cat needs to be sealed off with a pipette. The laparoscopic method is easier to tolerate, and the pussy can drink on its own.

The first feeding is offered after 17-20 hours: the animal may be very hungry. But some fluffies refuse to eat for the first 3 days, but then they quickly begin to eat away.

To prevent a cat's excessive appetite from becoming a cause of obesity, the owner must strictly monitor its diet.

Suture after sterilization

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//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> The cat should under no circumstances lick the seam. Over a long week of wearing a blanket, the animal is able to wipe the fabric right through. The seam is inspected daily: there should be no discharge. The ideal condition of the seam means that it is clean and dry.

Treatment of sutures after sterilization includes daily wiping with an antiseptic solution (chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, dioxide are suitable). It will not be superfluous to lubricate the seam with wound-healing ointment.

If there is any discharge from the suture, immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

There are types of sutures that do not require treatment; the doctor who performed the operation will inform you about this.

Sometimes the sutures look somewhat swollen - this is physiological swelling of the tissues, which will subside in 2-3 days.

The stitches are removed after 7-10 days.

If the cat still asks for the cat

The operation was successful, but the cat still wants a cat? There may be several reasons for this:

• tubal occlusion was performed or only the uterus was removed. In this case, the cat will not be able to bear offspring, but the production of sex hormones continues, hence the cat’s desire;
• The lack of professionalism of the veterinarian causes incomplete removal of the ovaries - even a small part left in the body will produce sex hormones. An abandoned ovary can be detected by ultrasound or gonadotropin test. This requires repeat surgery;
• with rare heredity, ectopic ovarian tissue syndrome occurs, when this organ is located in a place not intended by nature, which makes it very difficult for a doctor to find it.

• sex hormones can be produced by the pituitary gland and adrenal glands if the cat has already given birth;
• the presence of a hormone-producing tumor in the animal’s body.

Before starting to worry, wait a month after the operation and only then consult a doctor.

Consequences, side effects

Theoretically, after stopping the administration of drugs, a man's sexual function is restored; chemical castration does not imply irreversible deprivation of fertility. But in fact, the consequences of long-term therapy often not only prevent one from leading a normal sex life, but also cause a serious blow to health in general.

Side effects:

• Hypertension;
• Gynecomastia (enlargement and sagging of the mammary glands);
• Diabetes;
• Osteoporosis (weakening bones);
• Thrombosis and thromboembolism (blood clots);
• Obesity due to decreased muscle mass;
• Itsenko-Cushing syndrome (severe swelling of the face);

• Kidney failure, stone formation;
• Memory impairment;
• Pain in muscles and joints;
• Baldness;
• Lack of libido;
• Increased risk of developing colon cancer;
• Depression.

In essence, chemical castration is forced andropause. Even with its gradual onset, a man experiences a lot of negative symptoms, and with a sudden onset they worsen several times. In some cases, chemical castration can lead to death, so before it is carried out, the man is carefully examined and the health risks are assessed.