How long does it take to castrate a cat: minute-by-minute description of the stages

At what age should cats be spayed?

Veterinarians believe that the most optimal age for sterilizing cats is 6 months. Puberty in cats and kittens usually begins at 7-8 months. In some individuals, this process may begin 1-2 months earlier. It is advisable that the operation takes place before the first signs of puberty appear.

If we are talking about breeding animals, it is recommended to carry out sterilization as soon as the cat stops taking part in breeding. Surgery in mature cats can reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases. During the period of estrus, sterilization is contraindicated. During estrus, the organs of the reproductive system are filled with blood, which can negatively affect the operation. Therefore, you need to wait for it to complete and carry out the operation immediately after that. It is advisable to first consult a veterinarian about when it is best to sterilize your cat.

Cat sterilization methods

Surgical sterilization of females can be carried out in several ways.

Removal of ovaries. Suitable for young nulliparous individuals.
Uterus removal. In this case, the ovaries will continue to produce hormones. This will prevent pregnancy from mating, but estrus and the accompanying behavior will persist.
Removal of the uterus and ovaries. Used in adult cats that have given birth.

Laparoscopy has become very popular lately. It allows sterilization through a small incision. This operation contributes to minimal trauma and faster and easier rehabilitation.

Castration in cats can be carried out in the following ways:

Surgical. This method involves surgery, which is performed under general anesthesia.
Chemical. This method does not require anesthesia, preparation or rehabilitation. However, it has a number of disadvantages such as unreliability, danger of radiation, risk of developing tumors and inflammatory processes

How is the sterilization procedure performed?

Any operation is performed under general anesthesia. How to sterilize a cat is up to you. The most important thing is to find a competent doctor who will help you with this.

Preparing a cat for sterilization

3-4 weeks before the planned sterilization, routine vaccination, deworming, and treatment against parasites are carried out. The doctor may also prescribe tests, ultrasound, and additional examination by a therapist and cardiologist. After all, the doctor, like you, must be sure that there are no contraindications and the operation can be performed. This is especially true for older animals – more than 9 years old. The animal is limited in food 12 hours before surgery, and in water 3 hours.

Cat sterilization procedure

At the clinic, your pet will be weighed, the dosage of sleeping pills will be calculated, and the drug will be administered. The area intended for surgery is shaved and specially treated. There are 3 ways to surgically sterilize cats:

An incision is made in the middle of the abdomen (along the white line). The most common method. The doctor can objectively examine the animal and give further instructions.
Side slit. It is mainly used for sterilization of stray animals. In this case: the seam is small, overexposure is not needed and the animal is released. For pets, it is better not to use this method, since the lateral muscles are damaged here, and not the connective tissue (as in the previous option).
Laparoscopic sterilization. An instrument with a camera is inserted through small punctures or incisions (up to a centimeter). This allows you to see the general situation in the abdominal cavity and remove the necessary organs. As a result, we have minimal tissue trauma and high sterility. Seams measuring 3-5 mm are simply sealed and a blanket is not needed.

Sterilization of cats using the laparoscopic method is the safest and most gentle method, with a minimal rehabilitation period. Unfortunately, not all owners can afford this method due to the high cost of equipment and the price of the operation.

It is impossible to say for sure how long it takes to sterilize a cat, but approximately it is up to 1 hour (all together).

After the operation, a special postoperative blanket (bandage or bandage in other words) is put on. This curbs your pet's desire to lick the seam.

Sterilization of cats at home

Some experienced and trained veterinarians practice sterilization of cats at home. This is suitable for people with a busy work schedule. A specialist will come to your home at a convenient time. Technically, the procedure is no different from surgery in a clinic. Also, the animal does not need to be transported anywhere, thereby reducing stress levels. At the same time, you must understand that the quality of sterility will suffer, and no one can guarantee that there will be no emergency situation. It is safer to perform all abdominal surgeries in a veterinary clinic.

Preparation and performance of cat sterilization surgery

It is advisable to first check your pet for chronic diseases. Only healthy animals with regular bowel movements and good appetite are allowed to undergo surgery. About a month before it, you need to vaccinate, and 10 days before, remove the worms. In some cases, the doctor prescribes various tests.

Before the operation, you need to trim the animal’s claws so that after the operation the cat does not inadvertently injure the wound. A blanket will help completely prevent damage to the seams. At least 12 hours before the sterilization operation, the animal must stop feeding. The water should be removed 5 hours before.

Before surgery, the cat is weighed, anesthetized, and operated on. The entire operation lasts approximately 5-10 minutes for males and 20 minutes for females. Performing an operation on a female is more difficult than on a cat, since the effect is intracavitary.

How long does it last?

A standard genital removal operation lasts from 20 minutes to an hour. It takes the longest to prepare an animal for medical intervention. Modern veterinary clinics carefully check the animal for possible allergic and other reactions to anesthesia.

This is especially important for breeds prone to heart problems - Maine Coons, British cats, Scottish cats, Sphynx cats.

Traditional sterilization of a female involves an incision in the abdominal cavity, but now a more gentle laparoscopic procedure is increasingly being used: a small incision is made on the side, through which everything “unnecessary” is carefully removed. The side seam heals faster and is less traumatic.

How long does it take for cats to recover from anesthesia after sterilization?

The time it takes for a cat to return to full life depends on several factors: the drug used, the dose administered, the characteristics of the body, the age of the animal and the physical form it is in. Usually the pet wakes up and tries to walk within the first hours after anesthesia, but at least a day passes before full recovery. At this time, he should not be left unattended. On average, it takes one day for males to recover, and two days for females.

Monitor how and how long the cat recovers from anesthesia. If the pet does not eat 2-3 days after the operation and coordination is not restored, you should consult a doctor.

Cat after castration

Naturally, every owner is interested in what happens to the cat after castration.

How does a cat behave after castration?

After castration, a cat may not behave quite normally. Features of cat behavior after castration are as follows:

In the first 5–6 hours after castration, the cat does not behave calmly. The animal may meow (a sign that it is recovering from anesthesia). During this period, it is important to provide a calm environment and let the pet sleep.
On the 4th - 5th day after castration of the cat, a sharp change in behavior is observed, and there may be shock. This condition will pass.
On days 7–10 after castration, the cat’s behavior returns to normal and he begins to behave as usual.

It is important to pay attention to the cat’s behavior after castration. Any behavior that worries you should be taken as a reason to contact a veterinarian.

How to feed a cat after castration

Owners ask how and what to feed a cat after castration, as well as when you can feed a cat after castration, and also why the cat does not eat after castration.

If a cat does not eat for the first two days after castration, this is normal. If a cat refuses to eat for more than 3–4 days after castration, you should contact a veterinarian.

How and what to feed a cat after castration if he still has an appetite? It is better to feed the cat soft food for a while. Pates for cats intended for feeding during the postoperative period are well suited. In the first days after castration, it is important not to overfeed the cat. It is better to feed more often, but in small portions, so as not to provoke vomiting and constipation.

Another popular question: why do cats get fat after castration?

? It is important to remember that after castration the cat’s metabolism changes – it slows down. In most cases, cats become calmer after castration, their activity level decreases, sleep time and appetite increase, and mobility, on the contrary, decreases. And against this background, the risk of obesity increases. And obesity, in turn, affects health: against the background of obesity, diabetes, heart and kidney failure, and liver problems can develop. Therefore, it is so important to carefully monitor the feeding and balance of the cat’s diet after castration.

Cat marks after castration

Many owners are interested in whether a cat marks after castration, and what to do if the cat still marks after castration.

If the operation is performed at an early age, then the answer is clear: a neutered cat will not mark. However, there are cases when a cat continues to mark in the house after castration.

Sometimes this is due to the fact that not enough time has passed since the cat’s castration for the hormonal levels to change.

If an older animal has undergone surgery, the cat can continue to mark after castration. In this case, a castrated cat marks not due to hormones, but as a result of a formed bad habit.

If an adult cat has managed to mate with a cat, sex hormones begin to be produced not only by the testes, but also by the adrenal glands and the pituitary gland. And if there are other cats living in the house, a neutered cat can continue to mark.

If a castrated cat marks, there is also a possibility that the operation was performed incorrectly: for example, the cat is cryptorchid, and the doctor was dishonest about the operation or, due to inexperience, did not remove a testicle that was not lowered into the scrotum.

Also, after castration, a cat may continue to go to the toilet past the tray due to the development of urolithiasis, and in this case, owners confuse dysfunction of the genitourinary system and problems with urination with the marking process.

What to do if a cat marks after castration?

First of all, contact your veterinarian, who will find out whether the causes are related to health, and if so, recommend treatment options.

If the reason your cat is marking after neutering is due to behavioral problems, you need to determine the cause and work with it. You may need to contact an animal psychologist who can help you.

Veterinarian tips for caring for a cat after sterilization

If possible, it is better to leave your pet in the clinic for a couple of hours under the supervision of a doctor. He will be able to monitor how the animal recovers from anesthesia. This is especially true if the cat’s owner lives far from the clinic.
The cat needs to be fully cared for after sterilization surgery. Upon arrival home, you should lay it on the floor, after placing a film and something warm under it. After anesthesia, the animal will be cold, so it should be covered.
After the operation, you need to constantly monitor how the cat recovers from anesthesia. During the first 24 hours, her movements will be uncoordinated, and involuntary urination is possible immediately after the operation. The cat may begin to wander around the apartment, constantly stumbling and falling. In this case, you need to carefully take it and place it on a mat on your right side, so as not to put additional stress on the heart.
There should be no bright light, noise, or draft in the room where the animal is located after surgery. Remember that the pet does not feel well after anesthesia, so it needs complete rest.
Since cats can sleep with their eyes open under deep anesthesia, you need to close and open your pet’s eyelids at least twice an hour, thereby moisturizing the mucous membrane.
If vomiting suddenly begins, you need to turn the animal's head to the side, otherwise it may choke. Severe and persistent vomiting is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.
After anesthesia, you should not allow a cat to jump on heights - a chair, table, sofa, etc. Otherwise, she may get injured.
3-4 hours after sterilization, you can give the cat water. It is injected into the mouth from a syringe without a needle or pipette very slowly, drop by drop. The animal must remain awake, otherwise it may choke.
12 hours after surgery, the cat can be offered food. If the animal refuses, you need to wait and put food in front of it again after a couple of hours, but no later than 24 hours after the operation. Food should be easily digestible, preferably in a semi-liquid state. At first, food should be given in small portions.

Pros and cons of sterilization

To summarize, the following pros and cons of sterilizing cats are formulated.

Advantages of sterilization:

The likelihood of an unwanted addition to the family is reduced to zero;
Suitable for those who just want to have a friend, and not a whole cattery of purebred cats;
The animal does not suffer from the inability to satisfy its instincts and does not torment its owners with endless meowing and attempts to escape;
Sterilized cats walking outside will not become infected with dangerous incurable infectious diseases (viral leukemia, infectious peritonitis, etc.).

Disadvantages of sterilization:

The need for anesthesia and the likelihood of complications during and after surgery;
Increasing the likelihood of obesity in a cat.

Rehabilitation period

The rehabilitation period for females can take up to 15 days, for males – up to 5 days. These days it is also important to follow certain rules.

In the first days of rehabilitation, it is advisable to protect the cat from loud sounds, active games and stressful situations.
Often after surgery, especially in the case of sterilization of females, the doctor prescribes various medications. It is imperative to complete the entire course, otherwise there is a high risk of complications. Sometimes special ointments are also prescribed to treat the seam.
Some animals try to lick or scratch the seam. Therefore, the owner needs to constantly monitor the pet, preventing him from doing this. In females, a special blanket is used to prevent access to the seam. It should not restrict movement or dangle. It is advisable to choose products made from breathable natural fabric. It is better to buy two blankets so that you can wash them. In case of excessive activity of the cat and increased interest in the blanket, you need to purchase a special collar.
It is recommended to remove the filler from the tray in the first three days, otherwise it may negatively affect the wound. Instead, you can temporarily put torn paper there.
After anesthesia, the cat may experience constipation for 2-3 days. If the delay in defecation lasts more than 3 days, you should give her a pet laxative or petroleum jelly. If there is no result, you should consult a doctor.
In males, sutures do not need to be removed. In females they are usually removed after about 1.5 weeks. However, now increasingly in veterinary clinics cats are given cosmetic sutures that do not require removal.
Over time, the neutered animal will begin to gain weight. It is important to provide him with proper dietary nutrition and an active lifestyle in order to avoid the negative consequences of obesity. There are also special foods designed for cats that have undergone sterilization. Make sure that the menu of animals that eat natural food does not contain fatty, smoked, salty foods or foods high in carbohydrates (pasta, bread). Fish is undesirable for cats, but you can give it occasionally - boiled once a month. It is important to remember that this natural food feeding scheme is valid not only for sterilized animals.
If the operation was performed when the sexual instinct had developed, then some habits can be observed for another 2-3 weeks after sterilization. For example, the animal may continue to mark or meow at night. However, after a month the cat should calm down, since during this time all the hormones will be released. If there is no result, you should contact your veterinarian.

And the most important rule is that sterilization and castration must be carried out in a specialized clinic by a highly qualified doctor! Remember, we are responsible for those we have tamed.

General anesthesia for cats

This type of anesthesia involves putting the cat into deep sleep, during which it completely loses sensitivity and does not perceive external information.

Inhalation anesthesia

With this type of anesthesia, drugs enter the body through the respiratory system. To do this, a special mask is placed on the animal’s face, through which an anesthetic is administered.

The most common inhalational anesthesia agents are isoflurane and sevoflurane. Penetrating into the cat's lungs, they are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and travel through the bloodstream to the brain, blocking the functioning of nerve impulses. The presented drugs have a low degree of toxicity and are quickly eliminated in exhaled air.

The advantage of this method is the ability to constantly control the dosage, increasing or decreasing it as needed.

Their other advantages are:

weak effect on the functioning of internal organs;
no irritation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract;
quick awakening;
minimal number of side effects.

The effectiveness of the presented means and the ability to stop the effects of anesthesia at any time contribute to its widespread use in operations of increased complexity.

Parenteral anesthesia

The choice of anesthetics for parenteral anesthesia depends mainly on the duration of the operation. With the correct dosage, the drugs have a gentle effect on the cardiovascular system, so they rarely cause complications even in old cats.

Propofol is used for short procedures such as examining the oral cavity, cleaning and removing teeth, and removing foreign objects from the larynx. The drug has an almost instantaneous hypnotic effect, but lasts no more than half an hour. After using it, the animal quickly moves away and restores all vital functions. Rare side effects include hypotension, vomiting, and short-term nervous excitement.

Important! During castration and other long-term surgical interventions, Propofol is used only in combination with analgesic drugs.

Domitor is often used for manipulations on the skeletal system, for sterilization of cats, as well as for other short-term abdominal operations. To enhance and increase the duration of action, repeated administration is allowed 10-15 minutes after the first injection. Among the side effects is the possibility of vomiting in the animal 1-3 minutes after the onset of anesthesia.

Butorphanol is used for major injuries, amputations of limbs and abdominal surgeries that require long-term surgical intervention. After its administration, heart rate and blood pressure may increase.

Previously, Rometar was very popular in veterinary medicine. In modern practice, it is used rarely and mainly in large farm animals due to the presence of a large number of side effects and the need to combine it with other anesthetics.