what is “better” to choose
Sooner or later, owners of domestic cats begin to think about castration/sterilization of their pets, since by doing this they not only relieve their pets from more problems, but even prolong their life...
True, a fair share of cat lovers often mistakenly interpret the above-mentioned concepts, believing that males are usually castrated, and females are sterilized. But in fact, these processes are in no way related to the gender of animals, but imply different kinds surgical intervention, which ultimately leads to one result - cats and cats lose their ability to reproduce.
What is the difference?
So, when castration is happening complete removal sex glands from the animal’s body (in males - testes, and in females - ovaries), as a result of which the pet is provided with complete sexual rest for the rest of its life. After the operation, the animal will not have any desires and needs, as well as the ability to engage in full sexual activity.
And here sterilization, in turn, is rarely used in veterinary medicine for small pets, as it involves ligating (that is, ligating or soldering) the spermatic cords in cats and the oviducts in cats. After such an intervention, animals lose the ability to reproduce, while maintaining sexual activity, since sex hormones continue to be synthesized in their gonads. So it turns out that from the point of view of the health of the animal and the convenience of life for household members, sterilization of cats and female cats does not make sense at all, because all the nuances of their sexual behavior remain unchanged (increased activity, screaming, aggressiveness, etc., etc.) .
Technically, an operation to sterilize domestic cats is quite possible, but it is usually used for medical reasons in the treatment of some diseases.
Preparation
As for the castration procedure, you need to thoroughly prepare for it:
- firstly, the pet must be hungry (that is, not eat food for at least 10 hours before the operation);
- secondly, it is best to conduct a preliminary study of the function of the cardiovascular system (especially in aged animals or with any pathologies) in order to reduce all possible risks to a minimum.
Castration of a cat
In this case, the surgical intervention itself in cats is carried out as follows: first, the animal is injected with anesthesia, the hair on the scrotum is shaved off and the skin is treated with special products, after which a small incision is made to remove the testicles, and then this same incision is sutured. Typically, such an operation takes no more than 15 minutes, and postoperative sutures do not require any treatment or removal.
Castration of a cat
In cats, the entire castration process is more complicated, since the operation in this case is abdominal, that is, the uterus and ovaries are removed through a deep incision in the groin or abdomen. Surgical manipulations last 30-40 minutes, after which the wound is sutured, and the animal is dressed in a special blanket or collar that prevents the seam from licking and scratching.
It is worth noting that females can be castrated not only in the standard way, but also endoscopically - when several small incisions are made on the abdominal wall, through which endoscopic instruments and a camera with a light are inserted. The surgeon controls all his actions through a display that displays an image of the operation progress. But such an operation, of course, will cost more.
Recovery after surgery depends on the individual characteristics of the body of a particular animal, which is why it can take different times. As a rule, after anesthesia, cats and cats leave within 2-4 hours, and fully come to their senses after about one day.
Pets play an important role in people's lives. They bring us joy, teach us to care and love just like that, without any benefit. Pets especially bring a lot of joy to children. Often cats and dogs become pets.
However, many pet owners not ready to the fact that they will have numerous offspring. In the case of cats, during periods of sexual arousal, owners are irritated by loud meowing, and cat owners do not like it when they begin to mark the territory in the apartment.
In this case they resort to radical measures Regarding your pets - castration and sterilization. In reality, there is a big difference between these concepts. Both spaying and neutering can be used on both females and males. Let's look at these concepts together and determine the difference between castration and sterilization of pets.
What is castration?
The term “castration” means removal of reproductive organs in animals using surgery. In males, the testicles are removed, and in females, the ovaries and uterus are removed. For females, operations with partial or complete castration are performed.
With partial castration, only the ovaries are removed, and with complete castration, the ovaries are removed along with the uterus. Recently, the number of complete castration of females has increased due to the fact that cases have become more frequent in the future gynecological diseases females, in which it is necessary to undergo repeated surgery to remove the uterus.
It is recommended to castrate animals at the age of 7-8 months. When castration occurs, the level of sex hormones decreases, reproductive functions in animals cease, pets become calmer and may gain weight.
Castration of pets one of the simplest operations performed by veterinarians all over the world. It is done under general anesthesia. The animal sleeps and does not feel pain. The pet does not require special postoperative care. The owner will need to be more attentive when monitoring the pet. After the operation, the animal recovers within 1-2 days.
What is sterilization?
Sterilization is the process of ligating the spermatic cords in males and the fallopian tubes in females, without removing any organs from the animals. After such an operation, pets lose their ability to reproduce, however all instincts and their behavior remains the same.
The body continues to produce sex hormones, which does not affect their sexual desire. Animals can mate, but will no longer produce offspring. Sterilization can be carried out between the ages of 8 months and 7 years.
But keep in mind that the older the pet, the greater the risk of complications after surgery.
Difference between castration and sterilization:
- Castration is more humane for pets. Sterilized animals will experience hormonal surges each time they become sexually aroused, as their genitals are “in place” and functioning well. Often, sterilized pets are indoor pets, so they do not have the opportunity to satisfy their desires, which leads to stress and aggression. And this has a bad effect on the animal’s body as a whole and leads to diseases of the genitourinary system.
- The advantage of castration is the improvement of the pet's behavior. The animal is not distracted by the call of its sexual instincts, it becomes more affectionate, flexible and calm. He loses sexual activity, stops running around the apartment, doesn’t meow or scream at night, stops marking his territory and doesn’t damage furniture by grinding off his claws.
- To the very main advantage Castration can be attributed to the fact that castrated animals will not develop diseases of the reproductive organs due to their absence. On the contrary, health is maintained and life expectancy increases due to a reduced risk of developing inflammatory and oncological diseases of the genital area.
- Neutered pets generally get sick much less often compared to their “full-fledged” relatives.
Both castration and sterilization are carried out both within the walls of a veterinary clinic and at home. This also has its advantages and disadvantages. The clinic provides sterilization premises and all conditions for the procedure.
But pets experience severe stress from an unfamiliar place, which affects their well-being and is a disadvantage of undergoing surgery in a veterinary clinic. At home, animals feel calmer, but the disadvantage is the difficulty in maintaining sterility.
Veterinarians give preference castration as more effective way without further complications. However, to reduce confusion in medical terminology, veterinarians use the term “sterilization” when operating on females, and “castration” on males.
For some reason, many people think that castration is the removal of the genital organs from male cats, and, accordingly, sterilization is the removal of the genital organs from female cats. But this is far from true, because these are not equivalent concepts. Information about the difference between castration and sterilization of cats, at what age is it better to perform the operation and why to do it will be useful for those who keep a young cat.
What is castration and sterilization
Since cat owners often have questions about whether to spay or neuter their cat, they should know what both involve. Castration is a veterinary operation to completely remove the genital organs of animals, including female cats. There are 2 types of castration:
- oophorectomy or removal of the ovaries;
- ovariohysterectomy or removal of the ovaries along with the uterus.
Typically, healthy young cats that have not yet given birth have their ovaries removed, but in some cases, to avoid the development of feline gynecological problems, the uterus is also removed. But even if only the ovaries are removed, estrus is interrupted in castrated cats due to the cessation of egg production. As a result, all symptoms of sexual behavior, including annoying cat “songs,” also end.
When sterilizing cats, the fallopian tubes are simply tied, without partial or complete removal of the internal genital organs.
The ovaries and uterus remain, work normally and continue to produce hormones. Therefore, sterilized individuals retain normal sexual desire and all instincts, they retain the ability to mate, but with 100% probability they cannot bear offspring, since they become completely sterile. This is precisely the difference between castration and sterilization.
What else is the difference?
Castration and sterilization differ in that:
- The first operation, oddly enough, is more humane to cats than the second. Animals that have undergone sterilization, even those that have never given birth, still experience whole “hormonal storms” inside each time they go into heat, since their genitals function quite normally. But, unable to satisfy their physiological needs, sterilized cats experience severe stress, lose their appetite and weight, and behave very aggressively.
- The advantages of castration over sterilization also lie in the fact that a castrated cat is not distracted by sexual instincts and pays more attention to its owner and other family members. A castrated cat becomes calmer, more flexible and affectionate. She has no sexual activity at all, so she doesn’t run around the house, doesn’t meow at night, doesn’t urinate in the wrong places, doesn’t damage furniture, doesn’t ask to go outside and doesn’t wander there for days. She does not fight with other cats and dogs, so she is not injured or maimed.
- After castration, a domestic cat is more interested in its food than the opposite sex. But, contrary to popular belief, such an animal is not always made fat and lazy. His appetite does not necessarily increase, but more often remains at the same level, since after this surgical operation his metabolism slows down much, and the animal requires food in less volume. Accordingly, after castration, the cost of food that is usually fed to the pet is reduced, which is also an indirect but significant advantage of this veterinary procedure. At the same time, the castrated cat remains moderately well-fed, active, playful and cheerful.
- The advantage of castration is that castrated cats cannot get diseases of the reproductive organs due to their absence, which also serves as a positive difference from sterilization. They significantly reduce the risk of developing various inflammatory and oncological diseases sexual sphere and thereby maintain health for many years.
- After castration, pets generally get sick much less often than their “full-fledged” and sterilized relatives, so castration of cats, unlike sterilization, allows them to live much longer, and the quality of life of furry pets is much improved.
But in order for castration or sterilization to be successful and without complications, you need to know at what age they can be performed.
When and where to perform operations
But earlier castration is also undesirable, since the cat’s body has not yet fully formed and therefore the young animal may lag behind in growth and development, since it no longer has the necessary hormones in its body.
Can be sterilized at over 8 months of age. Veterinary practice shows that cats from 1 to 7 years old tolerate sterilization well. But it is worth remembering that the older the animal, the less effective sterilization is and the more the risk of negative postoperative complications increases.
Sterilization can be carried out both in the clinic and at home. Each of these methods has both its pros and cons. The clinic has all the conditions for carrying out the procedure, but the disadvantage of this particular option is that the cats experience severe stress when they are in an unfamiliar place. At home, they are much less nervous, but in an apartment it is difficult to maintain sterility, which is a disadvantage of home sterilization.
VETERINARIAN CONSULTATION REQUIRED. INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Administration
Dog owners often decide spay or neuter beloved pet. This relatively inexpensive operation has a number of advantages for owners, because if you take your pet for such a procedure, you will no longer need to worry about where to put the puppies, or how to explain to your child what the dog is doing with their soft toy.
It must be remembered that in addition to the benefits, castration and sterilization of a dog can lead to unpleasant consequences, which will negatively affect your beloved pet.
Of course, there are differences between castration and sterilization. But this does not mean that sterilization is intended only for females, and only males are castrated.
The essence of castration– removal of organs that are responsible for reproduction. In males, the testicles are removed, and in females, either the ovaries alone or the ovaries with the uterus are removed. Of course, there can be no talk of any mating or sexual desire after the operation.
Before making your own choice which procedure will have the best effect on your pet, see a good veterinarian. Some surgeries have a number of restrictions that your dog may be subject to.
Sterilization and castration of dogs: pros and cons
Castration and sterilization of male dogs
Both operations can be performed only under general anesthesia. After the hair in the surgical field is removed, two small incisions are made, after which the spermatic cord is ligated or the testes are removed. Typically, the operating process is about seven minutes. The wounds are treated with a special postoperative powder to prevent complications. There is no need to remove stitches.
A few disadvantages of castration:
- the risk of prostate and urinary tract cancer increases significantly;
- the risk of obesity increases significantly;
- castration before 1 year of age increases the risk of acquiring bone cancer (osteosarcoma);
- the risk of heart hemangiosarcoma (tumors inside blood vessels) increases significantly;
- the risk of hypothyroidism increases (due to a lack of thyroid hormones);
- other less significant risks.
Significant advantages of castration:
- improvement of the pet’s character, calmness;
- the risk of testicular cancer and death from it disappears;
- reducing the risk of diseases of the genitourinary tract and prostate;
- the risk of perianal fistulas is reduced;
- disappearance of the need to mark;
- reducing the risk of acquiring diabetes.
Possible negative consequences after sterilization:
- aggressive behavior;
- the risk of diseases of the genitourinary system;
- frequent mood swings and stress;
- loss of appetite.
Pros of sterilization:
- preservation of all sexual functions except reproduction.
When is the best time to spay and neuter dogs? The most suitable age for a dog to be spayed and neutered is in the range of 5-10 months. Of course, such processes can be performed later, but it is worth considering that sometimes they are required, but anesthesia is no longer appropriate for old dogs due to their age.
Castration and sterilization of bitches
Such operations last about thirty minutes. They are carried out strictly under general anesthesia. During castration, the ovaries and uterus are removed, and during sterilization, they are bandaged the fallopian tubes. After applying the suture, a bandage is secured to protect the suture from damage. Concerning pros, cons and age recommendations for sterilization in this case, they are the same as in cases with males.
Main condition– the animal should not eat any food no less than six hours before the start of the process. It is highly not recommended to consume liquid four hours before. If you neglect these rules, your pet’s well-being may change for the worse.
The animal must be completely healthy. Also, preferably before surgery.
Postoperative complications
The operations in question are are considered quite simple. Therefore, complications most often arise only when the operation was performed in bad faith or incorrectly. Adverse reactions to anesthesia, hemorrhage, infection and inflammation may occur.
Consultation before surgery This is an extremely important step that should not be ignored. If this stage is ignored, the operation can have an extremely adverse effect on the body, since it was undesirable to carry out it.
If you have male pet, be aware that after a dog is spayed or neutered, urinary incontinence may occur. Therefore, you will need an oilcloth under which to lay a blanket, on which the pet will recover from anesthesia. Keep an eye on him and make sure that he does not perform any maneuvers related to climbing to heights if he has not yet fully recovered from the effects of anesthesia. You may need to treat the suture and take antibiotics.
If you have female dog, ten days after the operation, the stitches must be removed. All these days, do not forget to treat them and take preventive measures against damage to the seams that the dog can cause. For example, you can use a special collar. They may also be prescribed an antibiotic injection.
In both cases, meal in animals it is carried out only after the pet has completely recovered from anesthesia.
Video about castration and sterilization of dogs
To have a better idea about castration and sterilization of dogs, we invite you to watch a video in which you will learn what castration and sterilization are, the harm hormonal drugs, why castration and sterilization is needed, their advantages.
Even after reading reliable and competently presented information, many readers may have questions related to the topic of the article. Is it worth overpaying for a simple operation by going to an expensive veterinary clinic? What situations require sending an animal for surgery? What time of year is best to have surgery? Let's try answer these questions together and on those that you will have.
Cat sterilization- a surgical operation that veterinarians around the world have been successfully performing for many years. The methods used by different doctors may differ, but the essence is the same: during the operation, the reproductive organs are removed, which helps to reduce hormonal levels and stop the reproductive functions of the body.
What is the purpose of sterilization?
The question of sterilizing a domestic cat sooner or later arises before every owner. With the onset of puberty, a cat can turn a quiet house into a real hell, and drive the owner into a white heat with her endless purring and loud concerts at night. Such active vocalization is not due to the fact that your pet’s character has deteriorated, and not to her desire to not let you rest. This is simply how she informs her relatives that she is ready for mating and calls the cat “on a date.” That's the nature of a cat. Her wild ancestors have shaped this type of behavior for centuries, and she is simply obeying ancient instincts.
But what to do if there is no cat nearby, and the owner has no desire to breed his pet and then deal with the adoption of kittens? A mutually beneficial solution is to sterilize the cat. After the operation, the production of female sex hormones (estrogens) stops within about a month, the hormonal levels decrease, and the cat again turns into a cute, harmless pet.
With a high degree of probability, sterilization will also help rid the cat of excessive aggressiveness. As the level of hormones in the blood decreases, the character improves, the animal becomes calmer, and aggression toward others and the owner decreases or disappears altogether.
Spaying and neutering cats
The term "sterilization" is used, as a rule, to cats (females), and the term "castration" - to cats (males). It is believed that cats are spayed and male cats are neutered. For ease of communication with clients, veterinarians also use the same terminology. However, female animals undergo both spaying and sterilization. Let's look at the differences.
Surgery to sterilize a cat involves removing only the ovaries, without removing the uterus (oophorectomy). Castration is the complete surgical removal of all reproductive organs (ovariohysterectomy).
What is better - castration or sterilization? Let's figure it out.
During an oophorectomy, only the ovaries are removed, while the uterus lives its own life in the abdominal cavity and does not perform any useful function. It will not atrophy or die, since its blood supply is not impaired. She will never fulfill her destiny and will not be able to bear fruit. But since the organ is completely alive, the risk of developing uterine diseases remains fully intact. These can be neoplasms and inflammatory diseases (endometritis, pyometra, etc.). So why preserve an organ that will act as a time bomb, with the risk of exploding at the most inopportune moment?
That is why, at present, almost no one performs ovariectomy (classical sterilization); veterinarians prefer castration as the only reliable method. But for ease of communication, they still say “sterilization”.
Where is it better to perform the operation - in a clinic or at home?
I love it abdominal surgery It is better and safer to do it in a veterinary clinic. In an operating room there are more opportunities to take emergency measures if something suddenly goes wrong.
It’s even better if the clinic provides a postoperative hospital service. Then your pet will be under the supervision of specialists throughout the crisis period. Of course, emergency measures are not always required.
In the photo: day hospital in our veterinary clinic. The animal remains under the supervision of a doctor until it completely recovers from anesthesia.
Typically, young and healthy cats tolerate ovariohysterectomy well and, with minimal care recommendations, recover well at home. You will only need one more visit to the clinic to remove the stitches.
Advantages of sterilization in the clinic: all necessary conditions for the operation are provided, the risk of emergency situations is reduced, and there is a high probability of overcoming them.
Disadvantages of sterilization in the clinic: the owner’s time spent traveling and waiting for the operation to complete.
Despite the obvious advantages of surgery in a veterinary clinic, sterilization of cats at home is also practiced by most veterinarians and, with proper training and responsibility of the specialist, is technically no different from surgery in a clinic.
In the photo: preparing to sterilize a cat at home.
Advantages of sterilization at home is the lack of stress for the cat from traveling and being forced to stay in a place that is foreign to it (some cats are panicky afraid to leave the apartment), as well as the absence of risks of infection infectious diseases(if the animal is not vaccinated). In addition, the doctor can be invited at a time convenient for the owner, which is also very important for people who are constantly busy at work.
Disadvantages of home surgery: It is difficult to ensure high-quality sterility.
Age of sterilization of cats
We recommend spaying cats after they reach 7-8 months of age. Earlier sterilization is not advisable, because The animal’s body is not yet fully formed and there is a high risk of postoperative complications. In addition, there have been cases of retardation in growth and development of those cats that were sterilized at 4-5 months of age. The operation is allowed at 6 months of age, provided that the cat is large and weighs at least 2.5-3 kilograms.
In a later period (over 8 months), cats, of course, are also sterilized. But it should be remembered that the risks of postoperative and post-anesthesia complications increase in proportion to the age of the animal. Do not delay the operation - every year your cat gets older, the risk of negative consequences increases, and the effectiveness of the operation decreases.
Our long-term practice of sterilizing animals shows that cats aged 7 months to 10 years tolerate the operation well and without problems. Animals over 10 years of age require additional examination. For such cats, we recommend donating blood for a biochemical analysis, diagnosing the functioning of the heart and consulting with a cardiologist.
Can a cat be spayed while in heat?
During the hunting period, the operation can be performed, but recovery from anesthesia and healing of the sutures may be somewhat more difficult. We generally recommend surgery two weeks before or two weeks after the heat. However, it often happens that a cat’s heat lasts for a very long time, with minor breaks (from 1 to 5 days). In this case, it is not possible to maintain a two-week interval, and we recommend sterilizing the cat to avoid exhaustion and deterioration in the quality of life.
Should a cat be allowed to give birth before being spayed?
No! If you do not plan to breed cats, then it is better to carry out the operation as early as possible, without allowing the cat to be bred. Moreover, you should not specially knit it, knowing that you will sterilize it later.
Many cat owners are mistaken, believing that the cat must first give birth, “feel like a woman,” “let it know the joy of motherhood,” etc. (quotes from real conversations with cat owners at the reception).
I will try to explain why this should not be done. On hormonal level The process of cat “purring” and night cries is carried out through the production of estrogens, which cause typical manifestations of sexual heat. Initially, these hormones are produced only in the ovaries and after sterilization, all unwanted effects for the owner disappear. If the cat has already kitted, then other endocrine glands begin to produce female sex hormones, and sexual behavior can persist for a long time, if not forever.
Thus, the owner’s stereotypical thinking can delay the achievement of the main goal of cat sterilization - to avoid sexual estrus in the pet.
Is it possible to sterilize a pregnant cat?
Yes, you can. The procedure is called “extirpation of the pregnant uterus” and is usually performed for medical reasons to save the life of the female. We usually do not recommend sterilizing a healthy pregnant cat, since during pregnancy the animal’s body undergoes significant changes at both the hormonal and physiological levels. There is a possibility of high blood loss and longer recovery of the animal after sterilization. In addition, the suture after sterilization of a pregnant cat is much larger in size.
However, situations are different and, if the owner is aware of the risks associated with such an operation and insists on it, we perform extirpation of the uterus and fetuses.
Does a cat need to be vaccinated before sterilization?
It is highly desirable that the cat be vaccinated at least a month before sterilization. In this case, there is no risk of getting a viral infection when visiting a veterinary clinic, because animals with various diseases, including viral ones, are brought there. Anesthesia given to a cat during surgery can reduce the body's immune response, and an unvaccinated animal will become ill.
Many veterinarians offer to protect the cat by injecting her with a special hyperimmune serum (globulin), which provides protection against infections for several weeks. Unfortunately, the introduction of globulins does not provide 100% protection. Therefore, it is advisable to vaccinate your pet in advance and plan surgery in a month.
Methods for sterilizing cats
We will describe the most common surgical methods used throughout the world.
1. Classic method. A skin incision 1 to 3 cm long is made in the center of the abdomen, 2-3 cm below the navel. The abdominal wall is incised along the linea alba. The uterus is removed through the incision, a ligature of absorbable suture material (catgut, caproag, PHA, etc.) is applied to the vessels or a coagulator is used.
After this, the uterus along with the ovaries is removed, and sutures are placed on the peritoneum and skin. The skin suture can be either removable or non-removable. The first one must be removed after at least 7, maximum after 10 days. There is no need to remove the second one.
In the photo: removal of the uterus and ovaries from a cat using the classical method
2. Method of sterilizing a cat through a side incision. It differs from the previous one only in the place of tissue separation. A skin incision is made on the side, the muscles are separated in a blunt manner. The method is considered less traumatic than the classic one, but there are several nuances. First, a muscle tear does not guarantee that there will be no bleeding. Secondly, sterilization rather than castration is often performed through such a wound, since it is not always possible to extract and remove the uterus completely. The method is recommended for sterilization of stray animals, as it does not require suture care. If a special intradermal suture is applied, the cat can be released into the wild immediately after the operation.
In the photo: applying a ligature to the ovarian ligament during sterilization of a cat using a side incision.
Photo courtesy of colleagues. As you can see in the picture, the bleeding is no less than with classical sterilization.
3. Ultra-small incision sterilization method using a surgical hook. Some veterinary clinics position this method as “laparoscopic sterilization,” but it has nothing to do with laparoscopy. The skin and peritoneum are dissected in the same way as in the first case, only the incision is made less than a centimeter long. The surgeon inserts a sterile hook into the wound, picks up the ligament and removes the ovary. After applying the ligatures, either only the ovary is removed along with part of the ligament, or the uterus is pulled into the wound and removed completely. As in the previous case, it is not always possible to completely remove the uterus.
In the photo: oophorectomy using a surgical hook through a very small incision
4. . Using endoscopic technologies, complete removal of the uterus and ovaries is performed through one or more punctures of the skin and abdominal wall. The operation is technically complex and requires expensive equipment and special personnel skills. In Russia it is not used everywhere and is much more expensive than conventional sterilization.
In the photo: capture of the uterine horn during the laparoscopic method of sterilization of cats.
I would also like to note that the best method of performing an operation is one that the surgeon knows perfectly. Any technique mastered by a doctor to its intricacies will lead to a successful outcome in cat sterilization. You should not force the doctor to do what you read on the Internet. He may do it your way, but he will do it better and safer in his own way.
Another method of sterilizing cats should also be mentioned - medication. This method is based on the introduction of a special implant with medicine under the skin. Slowly released and entering the blood, the active substances cause a reversible castration (sterilization) effect in cats, lasting up to 3 years. In this case, you will not have to expose the animal to anesthetic risks. Using a special device, the veterinarian will insert a small implant under the skin in just a few seconds. .
Preparing a cat for sterilization
There is no need to take any special measures to prepare the animal for sterilization. A prerequisite is to ensure a 12-hour fasting diet. If the operation is planned, say, at 10 o’clock in the morning, then the cat can be fed for the last time at 10 o’clock in the evening, and then the food can be removed altogether.
If several animals live in the house, everyone will have to go hungry. Or the cat will need to be placed in a separate room, without access to food. On the day of surgery, in the morning, it is recommended to remove the water.
This requirement is related to side effect substances used for anesthesia in cats (most veterinary clinics use a combination of xylazine and tiletamine), which manifests itself in the urge to vomit when there is food or water in the stomach. Aspiration of vomit can cause a serious complication - aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, we recommend that you take a responsible approach to the recommendation of fasting before surgery.
Caring for a cat after sterilization
Typically, post-operative care is not difficult for the pet owner. The main thing is to have some free time to observe your pet.
It is advisable for the cat to arrange a horizontal soft place in a warm place, preferably without direct access sun rays(bright light irritates the cornea of the eye when recovering from anesthesia and the animal becomes more anxious).
When you bring your cat from the veterinary clinic, place it in a pre-prepared area and leave it to rest. It is advisable to limit the access of children and other animals to the recovering cat during the first 24 hours after sterilization so that they do not disturb it.
A small nuance that frightens many animal owners - cats do not close their eyes while under anesthesia. To ensure that the animal, when it begins to wake up, does not experience discomfort from the drying out of the cornea, it is recommended to periodically instill contact lens solution (artificial tears) or regular saline solution (0.9% NaCl). If none of this is available, you can simply close your eyelids every 5-10 minutes with a few light movements. The tear will spread over the surface of the eyeball, wetting the cornea. Following this recommendation will make recovery from anesthesia more comfortable for the animal.
In the photo: a cat in deep anesthesia. The eyes don't close. In order not to provoke the development of postoperative conjunctivitis, it is recommended to periodically moisten the cornea.
Over the course of 7-10 days, it is also necessary to check the condition of the skin sutures (if any). The seam should remain dry and clean after sterilization. The seam should not become soaked or rotted.
Treatment of seams usually involves wiping with antiseptic solutions (chlorhexidine, dioxidine, hydrogen peroxide). Some veterinarians prescribe additional treatment with wound healing ointments.
Sutures placed during sterilization in our veterinary clinic do not require additional processing at all.
In the photo: treating the seam with a spray that prevents infection from entering the wound.
In the photo: a suture in a cat on the 8th day after sterilization. After treatment with a special spray, the seam does not require special care.
To prevent contamination of the wound, the cat is given a special bandage (blanket), in which it must remain for the entire postoperative period, until the sutures are removed. The cat's discomfort from the blanket usually disappears within the first 24 hours after sterilization, and then she calmly wears this forced “clothing.”
In the photo: the cat is wearing a special blanket that prevents damage to the seams
If the wound was sutured with an intradermal suture, it is simply wiped with a 0.05% chlorhexidine solution.
A slight swelling around the wound is allowed due to tissue swelling during healing. Usually the swelling subsides within 2-3 days, no additional therapy is required.
Veterinarians prescribe postoperative antibiotic therapy during the postoperative period. As a rule, 2 injections of a long-acting antibiotic, given at intervals of 48 hours, are sufficient. The first injection is carried out immediately in the veterinary clinic after the end of the operation, the second is prescribed two days later. The owner can give the cat a subcutaneous injection himself (we give the drug in a syringe) or bring the cat to the veterinary clinic.
Sutures are scheduled to be removed 7, maximum 10 days after surgery.
Cat after sterilization. Answers to frequently asked questions
In conclusion, I would like to answer questions that our clients often ask when calling or after surgery.
How long does it take to sterilize a cat?
The “net time” spent by our specialists on the operation itself is 10-15 minutes. But before the operation, it is necessary to examine the animal, talk with the owner about his health, give anesthesia and prepare the surgical field. And after sterilization, it still takes some time to put on the blanket and consult the owner. As a result, the average time a client spends in a veterinary clinic is 40-60 minutes.
When can a cat that has given birth and is nursing kittens be spayed?
First you need to wait until the kittens are weaned. Then, after stopping feeding, it is advisable to maintain a time interval of 2-3 weeks so that the mammary glands completely return to normal. After this, sterilization can be carried out.
But during this time she will become pregnant again!
It's OK. Sterilization of a cat early stages pregnancy will not give any serious complications.
How will a cat's behavior change after sterilization? Will she become fat and lazy?
Changes in the body's hormonal background can stimulate physical inactivity, but obesity, as a rule, is stimulated by the owner himself. If your pet always has dry food in her bowl and the cat has unlimited access to it, yes, she will most likely develop obesity. If you follow the food manufacturer's recommendations printed on each package and feed food in portions according to the animal's weight, significant weight gain will not occur. In addition, many manufacturers offer a line of food for sterilized cats. These diets are specifically low in calories to prevent obesity.
Will my cat catch mice after surgery?
Yes, it will. Sterilization does not affect the hunting qualities of the animal in any way. It's a delusion. The same as the fact that a cat must first be allowed to give birth.
Yesterday they did sterilization, but today the cat doesn’t eat anything. This is fine?
Yes, it is normal. Depending on the physiological state of the animal, the cat may refuse to eat for up to 3 days after surgery. But, as a rule, appetite appears the very next day after surgery.
In any case, if something bothers you, it is better to show the animal to a veterinarian.
Will sterilization help if a cat shits?
There is no clear answer to this question. If the word “shits” means marking the territory, then after sterilization this will stop. If we mean lack of upbringing or if the cat takes revenge on the owner for something, then consultation with a zoopsychologist and long-term responsible work on behavior correction will be required.
Dmitry Golovachev,
Chief physician of the Agata veterinary clinic.
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