Apr 19, 2024
Neutering a cat is the surgical procedure of removing your cat’s reproductive organs. It is also known as spaying (for females) and castration (for males). Neutering a cat removes its ability to produce any offspring and experience heat. A cat can be neutered starting from the age of about four to six months. This is a common veterinary procedure for owners to do for their cats since it provides a multitude of benefits not only for the cat but also for the owner.
Neutering a cat, whether through spaying or castration, varies based on its sex. Spaying removes the ovaries and uterus of the female cats. For male cats, the object to be removed through castration is their testicles. Both procedures are similar in terms of their preparation and concepts and their differences lie in the reproductive organs of each sex.
What Are The Steps In Neutering A Cat
Neutering a cat is one complex process. Everything must be clear and set in stone in order to ensure a successful and safe surgery for your cat. Lots of things have to be made certain to reduce any unnecessary risks for the cat. Veterinarians take every step with care when neutering a cat.
Pre-Surgical Examination
Before the actual surgery, the veterinarian will conduct an overall health check to make sure the cat can handle the anesthesia and the surgery without any significant side effects. Blood will be obtained from your cat and tests will be done to determine and identify any outlying health conditions. Examination also includes checking the vital organs in your cat’s body. By doing an examination before the surgery, your cat’s safety will be certain.
Neutering Preparations
After everything is assured for your cat’s safety, the next step would be to shave an area on your cat’s front leg to safely place an intravenous catheter (IVC). Through shaving, a clean and uncontaminated section would provide a clear area for the IVC and prevent it from slipping. The preparations for the materials needed for sedation will also be done at this step.
General Anesthesia
The next step is to administer anesthesia and other substances for sedation. Anesthesia allows your cat to be relaxed and not get hurt by any of the actions done during the surgery. This unconscious state is crucial for making sure your cat does not make any sudden movements that could create complications for the surgery.
Neutering
Directly after administering general anesthesia, your cat’s fur around its reproductive parts will be shaven to ensure a clean and clear procedure. At the side, the veterinarian’s partner will monitor your cat’s vitals. Depending on the sex of your cat, spaying or castration will be done.
Spaying (Females)
The veterinarian uses a scalpel to create a small incision on the cat’s abdomen. This reveals the ovaries and allows the vet to tie down the ovaries and the uterus to prevent any substantial bleeding. Once this is finished, the vet removes the ovaries and uterus to complete the process. To make sure no complications arise, the incision is closed with stitches and the skin will close with the use of surgical glue or stitches.
Castration (Males)
The veterinarian will create an incision into the cat’s scrotum. The vet will then tie the testicular attachments by clamping them down. This prevents significant blood loss resulting from the open wound. By creating a clear pathway to the testicles, the vet will be able to safely remove the testicles through the cut. The vet then seals the incision through stitches after removing the testicles. The skin is then closed with surgical glue or stitches.
Recovery
While the surgery itself only lasts for a few minutes, the recovery stage is the longer part of the entire process. Cats will need time to adjust to the changes in their body due to the effects of the surgery. As your cat wakes up from the anesthesia, it’s best to keep a close eye on its condition. Veterinarians in this stage closely observe the cat’s vital signs and administer pain medications as needed.
Post-Surgery Care
After the surgery, the owners must ensure that the cat gets enough rest and nutrition to compensate for the tedious surgery. Detailed instructions will be provided by your veterinarian. This includes information on potential medication, side effects to watch out for, and restrictions on your cat’s activities. It’s important to know everything there is to make your cat comfortable enough to recuperate well.
Benefits of Neutering a Cat
Neutering a cat is somewhat scary and expensive, but it does come with its benefits. These benefits both give upsides to both you and your cat. While it is entirely your decision if you want to neuter your cat, the benefits of neutering a cat might seem too good to refuse.
Prevents Unwanted Pregnancies
Neutering significantly reduces the sexual urges of affected cats. This allows them to better control their emotions especially since they don’t undergo the cat heat cycle. It also reduces the urge of cats to roam and expose themselves to other cats. Because neutered cats lose the ability to reproduce, they can easily avoid scenarios of sexual interactions with other cats and owners can contribute to solving the problem of overpopulation. Cat overpopulation often leads to dozens of unattended cats forced to wander the dangerous streets of cities.
Health Benefits
Neutering cats provides a series of health benefits that contribute to their overall well-being. Here are to name a few:
Reduced Risk of Certain Cancers
Neutered cats have a significantly lower risk of developing dangerous cancers ovarian and testicular cancers. Female cats spayed before their first heat cycle are unable to get ovarian cancer simply because once the ovaries are removed, the levels of hormones that contribute to cancerous tumor growth are reduced.
Prevention of Diseases
Removal of the reproductive organs of the cats would remove the risk of contracting diseases that manifest in these organs. Diseases such as pyometra and ovarian neoplasia will be completely prevented by neutering your cat.
Less Fighting
Neutered cats have reduced aggression which means they get into fewer fights with other cats, effectively reducing the risks of physical injuries.
Life Expectancy
It was studied that neutered male and female cats possess higher longevity than intact and unaltered cats. The resulting increase in the neutered cat’s lifespan was an effect of several factors following neutering. A neutered cat will have fewer urges to roam around, thus reducing its exposure to external factors such as cat fights and interactions with the outdoor environment which can bring potential harm through injuries, infections, and accidents.
Behavioral Changes
Because cats lose their reproductive organs, they lose the ability to undergo the heat cycle. This drastically changes their behavior since the heat cycle is basically a significant factor in how they act. Here are some of the behavioral changes cats experience after neutering:
Decreased Aggression
One of the main observable changes in a cat’s behavior is the reduction of its aggression. Neutered cats are known to portray less aggressive behavior which reduces fights and unwanted injuries from these fights.
Reduced Marking
It is a well-known fact that cats usually pee in areas they want to claim as their own. By neutering a cat, male cats tend to have fewer urges to mark territories. In the event they do, the smell of their urine will be significantly less pungent.
What To Do After Neutering A Cat
Just like with every other surgery, complications and side effects may arise. It’s always better to understand and be prepared for all the possible scenarios that might happen after neutering your cat. Knowing how to act in these scenarios can be the difference in a seamless recovery for your cat. Here are some things you can do to help your neutered cat recover:
Post-Surgery Recovery
Giving time for your cat to rest and recuperate after a stressful operation is essential to its recovery. Providing a quiet and clean space for your cat at home allows it to take all the time and energy it needs to be more comfortable post-surgery. Start by providing good bedding, a clean litterbox, and appropriate and nutritional food.
Monitor Your Cat
Check the parts where your cat was operated. The abdomen, for instance, needs to be monitored in case of bleeding from the incision. Ensure that your cat does not lick or bite the affected areas by using a protective collar. Constantly keep an eye out for bleeding, infections, irritations, and other forms of complications.
Activity Restriction
Limit your cat’s activity and movement during the recovery phase. Its body is still recovering and excessive movement can strain it. Create a haven for your cat to rest in. Avoid letting it roam and go outside to avoid any further injuries. It is also important to not bathe your cat for around 10 days to make sure the surgical glue does not dissolve easily.
Pain Medication
Pain medication is most likely to be prescribed by your veterinarian to prepare for the worst scenarios for your cat. Follow your vet’s advice and prepare the needed medications and materials to help your cat relax. Your cat needs your care to deal with the pain.
Veterinary Check-Ups
If any considerable complications arise, it may be best to revisit your veterinarian. Veterinarians provide the best absolute care for your cat and it is important to have experts evaluate the situation.
Conclusion
Neutering a cat is a decision that takes a great deal of responsibility from you as the owner. It removes a significant part of your cat but also brings a multitude of benefits that can positively impact you, your cat, and your community. By understanding how neutering a cat works, its benefits, and all the aftercare involved, cat owners can be more knowledgeable on how to take care of their best friends.