Why should I have my male cat desexed? Top
Entire (not desexed) male cats develop masculine traits, such as urine marking and defending their territory. The urine of male cats has a particularly strong odour, and they mark their territory by spraying. Spraying is different from urination – cats stand and emit small amounts of urine onto (usually) vertical surfaces, while shaking their tail and treading with the front feet.
To establish and defend their territory, cats will fight for dominance. They can sustain wounds that become infected, and that often form abscesses that require veterinary attention. They are also at risk of contracting viruses such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (feline AIDS) and Feline Leukaemia Virus, both of which can result in fatal illness.
As they successfully establish their territory, they seek to enlarge it, roaming further away from home, and are therefore more at risk of being hit by cars, or other misadventures.
What does the operation involve? Top
Male cats should be desexed (or neutered) before they reach puberty, which occurs at about 8 months of age. Desexing is generally recommended at around 5 - 6 months of age. Some vets will recommend earlier desexing from 12 - 16 weeks of age. It is best to ask your own vet and be guided by their preference.
A pre-anaesthetic blood test is recommended before your cat’s general anaesthetic, as this helps to minimise anaesthetic risk. The test measures levels of kidney and liver enzymes, which is where anaesthetic drugs are metabolised, as well as blood sugar, and red and white blood cells.
The operation involves a short general anaesthetic, and usually just the day in hospital. Both testicles are removed through small incisions in the scrotum, but no stitches are required. If your cat has recovered fully from the anaesthetic, he will be able to go home that night.
What happens after the operation? Top
Your cat will take 24 - 48 hours to recover fully from the anaesthetic, during which time you will need to keep him indoors, and monitor his recovery. He will be able to eat a small meal the night of the operation, but will need his body temperature maintained as the anaesthetic affects an animal’s ability to regulate its body temperature.
Rarely, post-surgical complications occur, such as infection at the site of the incision. The only other side effect is a decrease in metabolism, which predisposes your cat to putting on weight, so you may need to change to a lower calorie diet.
Editor: Dr Julia Adams BVSc
Contributor: Dr Rebecca Bragg BVSc
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