Neutering:
The Operation
The Operation:
Neutering is a sterile procedure, the operation will be
done in a clean operating room using properly sterilised instruments and at a
reputable veterinary surgery everything will be done hygienically to minimise
the threat of infection.
Female cats:
When should the operation be done?
A female cat can be neutered from 9-10 weeks of age. Until recently cats were
always left until they were 6 months but developments in techniques have allowed
for them to be neutered much earlier and perfectly safely.
A female should not be neutered if she is in heat. Being in heat produces a high
level of estrogens which cause the uterus to enlarge in preparation for
pregnancy, clotting is also slowed. It is advisable to wait until after the heat
has ended and then re-book the operation, most vets will recommend this anyway.
What does the operation involve?
The operation involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus. Depending on the
vet the incision will be made either underneath the cat or on its side. There is
very little difference between the two but some say it is easier to monitor the
healing process when the incision is made on the cat's side.
The wound will be stitched up to seal and protect against infection. Some vets
still use stitches that need to be removed a few weeks after the operation but
many, including our own vet, now use dissolving stitches. These are just as
effective as permanent stitches but mean the cat does not have to go through the
added stress of a trip to the vet for removal of the stitches. Dissolving
stitches will remain for long enough for the wound to heal up properly, up to
eight weeks. Female cats will have a bald patch at the operation site but the
fur will quickly grow back.
After the op. the cat will be monitored for about an hour to check for any
unusual reactions or bleeding. A female cat will take a little longer to recover
than a male and she should be left in a quiet, warm room to recover. She may not
want to eat straight away, although some will want feeding as soon as they get
home. She should be eating normally within two days of the operation.
Younger cats will recover much more rapidly than older ones following the
operation, another reason why it's best to neuter at an early age. There is
sometimes a swelling at the operation site, this is a build up of serum and is
not serious, however ring your vet if you are at all concerned. There should be
no bleeding or discharge from the wound.
Male cats:
When should the operation be done?
As with females, toms can be neutered from 9-10 weeks of age. It's much easier to
tell when a tom is ready for the operation as his testes will be seen to have
developed. If a male cat is neutered at about 6 months old then he will not have
begun to spray, fight or roam far outside. However if he's neutered later he
will have started to do some or all of these things and may not stop once he's
had the operation. Of course, many males are neutered when they're a few years
old and do not spray, fight or roam afterwards but it's better to be safe than
sorry!
What does the operation involve?
Neutering for a male cat is a much smaller operation than for a female cat. The
operation involves the removal of the testes and part of the ducts and blood
vessels, no stitches are needed for males. As with the females the cat will be
kept under observation for about an hour to check for any unusual reactions.
Males recover very quickly from the operation and most will eat something as
soon as they get home. He should be eating normally by the next day and will not
be any the worse from his operation. If you are at all worried about your cat
after neutering phone your vet immediately, remember; complications are very
rare and your vet will be able to give any advice you need.