When a cat is castrated just before sexual maturity at 6-8 months of age, the cats sexual instincts are reduced, and the cat becomes sterile. Fighting and night prowling, common in intact male cats, is largely eliminated. (However, castrated cats may still want to go outdoors to hunt.) The objectionable urine odor of the male cat is also reduced.

click to enlargeSurgical Procedure

Your pet will be given a preoperative physical examination to help ensure its safety during anesthesia and surgery. In-house blood screening is also recommended to assess health more completely. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Both testicles are surgically removed. Recovery is generally uneventful, the hospital stay is short, and aftercare is minimal. Sutures are all internal, therefore not needing removal.

Home Care

When your cat comes home the same day after surgery, he should be kept from eating or drinking large amounts for the first day. His activity also needs to be restricted and confined to the indoors for 7 days. Healing should be complete by the 10th day.

Notify the Doctor if Any of the Following Occur:

• Your cats urine is bloody.
• Your cat vomits or is reluctant to eat.
• Your cat seems depressed or lethargic.
• The incision bleeds.
• The surgical site swells.