Owners of furry (or not so furry) purrs sooner or later wonder about castration (sterilization) of their pet. And as soon as this thought comes to mind, a string of questions stretches out: when, and how, is it possible, or maybe not necessary? Having impressive work experience, we have repeatedly heard them from our clients. We invite you to read our answers to the most popular questions about castration and sterilization.
- Chemical, Medicinal or Surgical Spay/Neuter: What's the Difference?
- Castration and sterilization: what is the difference?
- What is included in the cost of the operation?
- Castration of a cat: pros and cons
- At what age are cats spayed?
- At what age are cats neutered?
- When can a cat be spayed if she is pregnant/gave birth?
- How to prepare a cat for surgery?
- Cat after castration: what to expect?
Chemical, medicinal or surgical: what is sterilization/castration and what is the difference?
There are many opinions online regarding the humanity of castration and other ethical aspects of this issue. There are 2 methods of limiting sexual heat in cats - medication and surgery. The medical procedure involves taking medications containing hormones. This in a known way affects the interests of furry ones. temporarily reduces the manifestation of sexual heat in cats. The medicinal method is the same intervention in the pet’s body as surgery, but more dangerous. The drug method often leads subsequently to purulent inflammation of the uterus and the occurrence of cancer. This occurs due to the effect of large doses of hormones on the cat's body. The surgical operation involves the removal of organs that produce sex hormones in cats.
Proper preparation of a cat for castration
In order for your pet to be castrated successfully, you should follow a few simple rules during preparation:
- To reduce the risk of infectious diseases in an animal, in consultation with a doctor, a full range of vaccinations must be carried out before castration.
- Before vaccination, it is necessary to carry out deworming and also get rid of all skin parasites. This must be done 2 weeks before vaccinations.
- The operation is performed only on healthy cats that do not have significant symptoms of any disease.
- Immediately before the procedure itself, it is necessary to keep the pet on a fasting diet for 12 hours, with free access to boiled fresh water.
- To prevent complications in adult cats, a veterinarian may recommend an ultrasound and ECG of the heart.
Why castrate cats - the pros and cons of the operation
The main reasons are considered:
- aggressive behavior;
- stopping the hormonal attack;
- a castrated animal will not follow its instincts and, accordingly, will not run into the street;
- psychological peace of mind of the cat and the owners.
Pros:
The main and decisive positive point is the solution to the problem of unwanted behavior associated with sexual hunting. Castration is also considered to prevent genitourinary diseases (adenoma, prostatitis, tumors).
Minuses:
The most dangerous negative point is the danger of general anesthesia. The worst consequence can be death.
Also the disadvantages include:
- not being able to have offspring;
- complications after manipulation;
- if the diet is not followed after surgery, it can lead to obesity;
- stress during the preparatory period (for many, hunger is difficult to bear).
How long do neutered cats live? On average, 2-4 years longer.
The benefits of sterilization - is it worth castrating an animal?
In what cases can cats be neutered?
It is possible to carry out the operation at a later age, but in this case no one guarantees a quick change in the pet’s behavior. Sexual habits can persist for a long time.
In certain cases, older people are also castrated, but only for medical reasons related to diseases of the genitourinary system, for example, neoplasms of the testes.
For certain indications, early orchidectomy is also performed at the age of 3 months. Most often this is done for sale, not intended for further breeding, in order to avoid damage to the line. This procedure is not dangerous and the risk level is no higher than that of late castration.
However, the development of each animal occurs strictly individually. Therefore, the agreed time frames are not 100% accurate. The indication for orchidectomy is the marks that the cat leaves around the house.
Also indications for the procedure are:
- pathologies of the reproductive system;
- injuries;
- inflammation of the ovaries;
- excessive aggression.
Examination of a cat before permission to castrate
Making the decision to castrate
The question of the need for castration must begin to arise in every kitten owner almost from the first days of his appearance in the house. Often, lack of awareness gives rise to painful doubts in this regard. After all, the decision to carry out the actual operation falls squarely on the shoulders of the owners. And just as it is not easy for a parent to take responsibility for the fate of a child, it is far from easy to decide on such an important act in the life of the pet you care for. In this article we will take a detailed look at all aspects of this operation in order to help you make the right choice.
Castration methods
The following castration methods are distinguished:
- Medicinal (chemical).
- Ray.
- Operational.
Medication method
A chip with a drug is inserted under the animal's skin, which is slowly absorbed by the body. The medicine lasts from six months to three years. At the same time, you can remove the chip at any time and put the animal into breeding.
This method is most often used by breeders so as not to completely deprive the cat of the ability to reproduce. In addition, this is the optimal method for animals for which surgical castration is contraindicated due to intolerance to anesthesia or high risks.
At the same time, the medical method of castration does not reduce the risk of various sexual diseases. In addition, the medicine does not work immediately. The first three to four weeks after the introduction of the chip, the animal’s behavior, on the contrary, may worsen: the cat will yell, mark everything around and snap. This is due to the fact that at first there is an increased production of sex hormones in the body.
Only after three weeks will a decrease in hormone production begin, and sexual behavior gradually stops. Therefore, if quick castration of an animal is necessary, it is better to choose a surgical method.
Beam method
The animal's testes are exposed to radiation. Hormone production stops, and sperm become nonviable. In this case, the testes remain in place.
Clinics that practice this method of castration highlight the following advantages:
- rapidity;
- efficiency;
- there is no need for surgical intervention;
- there is no risk of negative consequences from anesthesia.
And yet, despite the large number of advantages, many veterinarians are against this method. The main reason is that an animal exposed to radiation will have an increased risk of developing various inflammations, and in the worst case, oncology.
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Operative method
During the operation, the vas deferens are tied (vasectomy), or the testes are completely removed from the scrotum. The second method is the most popular.
During a vasectomy, the doctor makes an incision in the abdomen and ties the vas deferens, which means the animal will no longer be able to impregnate females. At the same time, sexual behavior is preserved. A cat can mate with cats without the risk of producing unwanted offspring.
This operation is considered more complex than standard removal of the testes. The animal will have to undergo rehabilitation for at least two weeks. In this case, stitches will be required, and the postoperative wound will need to be taken care of.
In general, this method is not particularly effective. It does not solve the problem of sexual behavior, and does not reduce the risk of diseases of the reproductive system. It is only effective in avoiding unwanted offspring. At the same time, the cat continues to live a full sex life.
Removing the testes from the scrotum is the most common method of neutering cats.
During surgery, the animal may be under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The surgical intervention itself lasts no more than 10-15 minutes. Much more time is spent administering anesthesia and preparing the animal for surgery.
The operation is considered very simple, and its risks are minimized. Often the operation can be performed even at home. To do this, you just need to call a veterinarian. After the operation there is no need for rehabilitation of the animal.
There are several ways to perform the operation:
- Open . An incision is made on the scrotum. This includes dissecting the vaginal tunic of the testis. The testicle is squeezed out of it, cut off from the vessels and vas deferens, which are tied together in a knot. The spermatic cords are removed into the vaginal membrane.
- Closed. With this method, the testicle is not removed from the tunica vaginalis, but along with it is cut off from the spermatic cord.
If the operation is performed correctly, there is no need for stitches. The wound is simply treated with an antiseptic. It heals quickly.
And the hour of castration struck
...or payback for damaged furniture. A cat can begin to mark at any age: at 6 months and at 6 years. You can't guess here. But usually the “fun” begins at 7-8 months. Is it worth waiting for the first surprise if you can perform surgery on the cat in advance and “voila”? Some owners are ready to castrate even kittens, just to quickly get a guarantee of cleanliness and peace of mind. Let's consider the consequences of castration at different age stages of a cat's life.
0-6 months
This is a time of increased growth and development of the whole organism. Organs are just acquiring their final form and “learning” to function correctly. If you operate on a cat at this age, the body will slow down. All its functions will be impaired, and many organs will not begin to function normally. It is rare that a child remains healthy after surgery at this age stage.
6-12 months
The cat begins puberty, and for the first time he “thinks” about his girlfriend. Many cats even practice first dates at this age, but, as they say about teenagers, it’s nothing serious. And as soon as the cat begins to “mark” its territory in the apartment, the owners rush to take it to the veterinarian. Some even lie about the cat’s true age - apparently, the risk of an underdeveloped urinary canal does not bother them at all. But the cat’s body is still not fully formed! Cats neutered at this age are susceptible to painful urolithiasis. So maybe we should wait a few months?
12 months and a little older
The body has formed, and the necessary body weight has been gained. If there are no contraindications from the veterinarian, the cat is ready for surgery.
Elderly cats
It is very rare for older cats to undergo castration. Most often, such an operation is performed as an auxiliary measure in the treatment of prostate hyperplasia, diseased testes or urinary incontinence. And even in such cases, the cat must be fully examined, since the risks of complications are high. Often older cats do not survive castration.
Now you can make plans and take risks into account. There is only one question left: how useful and harmful is this operation?
Postoperative care
To definitely avoid all the negative consequences of anesthesia, you should stay in the clinic until the cat begins to come to its senses. This is necessary so that in case of an unforeseen situation, the doctor can provide timely assistance. After this you can go home.
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At first, the animal will have poor coordination. The cat will not feel the heights and heat. Your pet should be closely monitored to ensure that it does not get injured.
You should also not feed your cat right away. It is advisable to offer food no less than 12 hours after the completion of the operation. In this case, water can be given within three hours after waking up.
It is necessary to ensure that the cat does not lick the postoperative wound. All litter should be removed from the tray for several days. The tray needs to be cleaned much more often.
If your pet has received stitches, you will have to go back to the hospital to have them removed.
Possible complications
The greatest risks of performing an operation are associated with a negative reaction of the animal’s body to anesthesia. In extreme cases, the animal may require emergency medical attention. That is why the cat for castration should be given to a good specialist who will not only professionally perform the operation, but will also be able to help the animal in case of an unforeseen situation.
The following complications are also possible:
- Constriction of the urethra due to improperly performed surgery. The cat may begin to have problems urinating.
- Inflammation and suppuration of a postoperative wound.
- Continuous bleeding.
- Scrotal swelling.
- Removal of only one testicle, which is why the operation will have no effect. This often occurs in cryptorchid cats. As they grow older, one or two testicles do not descend into the scrotum, but remain in the abdominal cavity. In this case, castration will require a complex abdominal operation. It happens that veterinarians deliberately conceal the fact that they removed only one testicle in order to receive payment for their work and not to perform a more complex operation.
The difference between castration and sterilization. Terminology
First, let's define the terms. Contrary to the popular belief that castration is performed on males and sterilization on females, these are concepts common to both sexes. There are different methods of castration and sterilization.
Castration refers to the removal of reproductive organs from both male and female cats. In cats, the testes (testes) are removed; in cats, the uterus and ovaries are removed. After castration, animals cannot have offspring, libido and associated behavioral characteristics disappear.
Sterilization of cats and female cats is the termination of reproductive ability without removing the organs themselves. This effect can be achieved by performing surgical operations similar to castration or using special drugs (so-called “chemical” sterilization). The behavior of a cat after sterilization will be similar to the behavior after castration, as well as caring for a cat after sterilization.
In the vast majority of cases, animals undergo castration. Complete removal of the genital organs in kittens at an early age allows you to once and for all solve the problem of unwanted sexual behavior, reduce the pet’s aggression towards other animals and people, and prevent many hormonal diseases: tumors of the mammary glands and ovaries, inflammatory diseases of the uterus and prostate.
Possible complications
Some owners are afraid of the consequences of surgery that may happen to their pet.
Obesity
There is a chance that a cat will gain weight after castration. But this can be easily avoided by understanding the nature of this phenomenon. The animal gets fat because it has nowhere to spend energy. Previously, he looked for the cat day and night, but now he only eats and sleeps. In order for the cat to always be in shape, the owner needs to take care of this:
- Provide exercise for the cat. Buy toys, spend time with him, play actively. You can get a second cat so that he has someone to play with. It is very useful to take the animal outside. You need to understand that in the wild, cats lead very active lives.
- Feed less. Reducing the diet will not harm the cat. Castrated animals need 25-30% less energy, as their metabolism changes. Food should be less caloric. By choosing the right diet and portions, you can control your pet’s weight.
Urolithiasis disease
Castration itself is not the root cause of urolithiasis (UCD). But it can aggravate and accelerate its development. UCD is the deposition of minerals in the bladder/kidneys due to excess, deposits or improper metabolism. It must be remembered that predisposing factors are obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
If you walk and play with the animal, as well as control its weight and diet, you can reduce the risk of developing urolithiasis to a minimum. If you overfeed your pet after castration, this will contribute to the deposition of minerals. Low fluid intake also has a negative effect; water should always be available to the cat.
How much does surgery to remove the testes cost for a cat?
The average cost of castration is from 1,500 to 2,500 rubles and depends on the health of the animal.
Table comparing the cost of castration in some Russian cities.
| City | Prices |
| Moscow | 2500-4300 rub. |
| Omsk | 400-1500 rub. |
| Sochi | 900-1400 rub. |
| Ufa | 1000-3000 rub. |
| Surgut | 400-2000 rub. |
| Krasnodar | 1500-7000 rub. |
| Krasnoyarsk | 400-2700 rub. |
Where to castrate a cat - only in a veterinary clinic!
