Sterilization of cats: pros and cons, how it is done and what to do after it

The cat is one of the most beloved pets, which in the human mind is associated with the comfort and warmth of the hearth, which is why there is rarely a cat in the house. In order for a furry pet to feel comfortable enough, a caring owner must provide her with adequate nutrition, plenty of fluids, proper care for her claws and fur, as well as the opportunity to comfortably carry out her natural needs, that is, take care of the cat’s litter box.

However, there is another need that is of no small importance for the animal - the desire to procreate. Therefore, if the animal is not intended for breeding, a problem arises related to the inevitability of its sterilization. At what age can a cat be spayed?

What is cat sterilization, main types

In everyday life, sterilization is understood as an operation as a result of which the cat’s sexual instinct disappears.
Due to some confusion in the terms “castration” and “sterilization” (in the first case, all reproductive organs will be removed, and the second implies limited manipulation), in what follows we will talk about sterilization of a cat as a general concept. Pregnancy can be prevented in cats by surgical and chemical methods. Among the operational effects, the following types of sterilization are distinguished:

Cat sterilization surgery

removal of the ovaries (used if the cat has not given birth);
removal of the ovaries and uterus (used for individuals who have given birth, as well as for medicinal purposes according to indications);
removal of the uterus (rarely performed, since the production of hormones and corresponding behavior are preserved);
ligation of the uterine tubes (also rarely done, due to the preservation of hormone levels and the development of complications).

An alternative method of surgical intervention is the use of hormonal chemicals in the form of drops, tablets or injections. Depending on the amount of the active ingredient and the composition of the products, they can suppress the sexual instinct for 1 to 6 or more months.

Most veterinary specialists advise resorting to surgery once, rather than giving the cat hormonal drugs throughout its life. This is due to lower financial costs and fewer complications.

Attention: frequent use of hormonal drugs threatens the development of oncological pathologies, digestive, neurological and endocrine disorders, and in the event of pregnancy - congenital anomalies of the fetus, miscarriages.

Sterilization of a cat during estrus

Veterinarians may have different opinions about whether a cat in heat can be sterilized. Strictly speaking, estrus is not an absolute contraindication for surgery. But I recommend waiting out the heat and spaying a week after it.

During sexual hunting:

the cat is exhausted due to poor appetite;
the ovaries and uterus are enlarged and actively supplied with blood;
a higher dose of anesthesia is required.

Spaying cannot stop the heat on the same day because hormones (estrogens) are already circulating in the blood and their levels will decrease gradually. Therefore, there is no point in operating on a cat during estrus. The doctor should explain this to the owners and carry out sterilization as planned, and not chase their own profit.

Pros and cons of sterilizing cats

There are both pros and cons to neutering cats, as outlined in the table below.

pros

You don't have to get rid of kittens.
The animal's behavior will not cause any inconvenience.
Timely sterilization helps to increase the life expectancy of your pet.
It is possible to prevent the development of many diseases of the cat’s reproductive system associated with estrus without mating, childbirth and hormonal changes.
The risk that your pet will get lost or become infected with an infectious disease in case of escape is reduced to a minimum.

Minuses

Surgery under anesthesia is stressful for the animal’s body.
The likelihood of complications developing in the postoperative period.
The risk of developing obesity, diabetes and other diseases associated with changes in hormonal levels.
Recovery takes a long time (about two weeks) and requires constant wearing of special devices.
If the owner “changes his mind”, it will be impossible to restore the ability to give birth to kittens.

What is the rationale for sterilizing a cat?

First of all, this procedure will forever relieve the owners of the problems associated with the appearance of unwanted offspring: in the conditions of a modern city, it is very difficult to place kittens in good hands, and throwing them out into the street is completely unacceptable.
Forcibly keeping a cat at home at the moment when she wants to go in search of a mating partner leads to the development of severe nervous stress.
Forced abstinence from sexual intercourse is contrary to the physiology of an adult animal.

Possible consequences

The consequence of stress associated with the lack of mating may be the development of:

Mastitis.
Urinary tract infections.
Tumors of the uterus.
Ovarian cysts.
Oncology of the mammary glands.
Tumors of the uterus (up to malignant).
Diseases of the urinary system leading to difficulty urinating.
Mental abnormalities in behavior.
Inappropriate habits.

At what age can a cat be spayed?

When asked when it is better to sterilize a cat, veterinary experts answer: at 7-8 months. It is believed that it is during this period of animal development that all organ systems are fully formed, the cat is ready to conceive, but there has not yet been pregnancy.

Puberty of a pet can occur earlier or later than the specified period. To determine the optimal interval, you will need to periodically show her to the veterinarian and do examinations. Performing surgery on an adult cat or a very young one is fraught with serious complications and health problems in the future.

What age is optimal for sterilization?

Veterinarians generally agree that the optimal age for sterilization is seven to nine months.

They believe that with early sterilization there is a high risk of complications and consequences from anesthesia, since it is difficult for a kitten with a fragile body to endure surgical intervention.

There are certain statistics that with early sterilization, both males and females do not reach the size characteristic of their breed.

You can sterilize animals later - after 9-12 months, but the practice of veterinary clinics shows that it is better to do this earlier. After the first heat, the risk of complications increases by 10%, after the second, this figure doubles.

Indications and contraindications for sterilization

In addition to the fact that sterilization of a cat is carried out due to the desire of the owner, the operation can have a therapeutic purpose and be planned or emergency. Among the indications:

neoplasms in the reproductive organs;
inflammatory processes;
changes in the mammary glands caused by hormones;
poorly performed earlier sterilization;
prevention of various diseases (tumors, cysts, purulent processes, and so on).

Sterilization is not carried out if the cat has:

age less than 6 months or older than 10 years;
CVS pathologies were identified;
estrus;
pregnancy;
inflammatory processes in the body and some other disorders.

Such contraindications to surgery relate mainly to cases of normalization of the cat’s behavior and elimination of the sexual instinct. If we are talking about preserving the life of an animal (for example, during an abnormally developing pregnancy), then sterilization becomes justified.

Does a cat need to give birth before sterilization?

An ancient but persistent myth is that “childbirth is for health.” Allegedly, the cat needs to be mated at least once before sterilization. Pregnancy, childbirth and lactation are a huge burden on the body. They haven't added any health to anyone yet.

On the contrary, childbirth and lactation eliminate the chance of preventing breast cancer through sterilization. The uterus of a cat that has given birth is larger, which increases the required incision. If a cat has given birth, you cannot remove only the ovaries; you must also remove the uterus.

Childbirth has the sole purpose of producing offspring. If you don't want kittens, don't breed a cat.

My Thai cat, spayed at age 3

How to prepare a cat for sterilization

Sterilizing a cat requires preliminary preparation. Except for clinical cases, the animal must be absolutely healthy. This is especially true for vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment.

Vaccination must be carried out at least a month before surgery. It significantly reduces the risk of developing infectious complications in the postoperative period, when the pet’s immune system is weakened. In the absence of vaccinations, before the intervention, the cat is given a serum injection, which ensures stable functioning of the immune system over the next 14 days. Anthelmintic measures are carried out at least 10 days before sterilization.

Preparatory measures also include:

laboratory tests of urine and blood;
ultrasound examination of the reproductive organs;
cardiogram.

At the discretion of the doctor, X-rays, respiratory examinations, and others are additionally prescribed.

Important: immediately before surgery, the animal must be limited in food (8-12 hours before) and water (3 hours before).

You should take care in advance about the carrier in which the cat will be transported from the clinic to home. Additionally, you will need an absorbent diaper in case of involuntary outflow of urine, as well as a sheet or blanket to prevent hypothermia.

Examination of a cat before sterilization

After operation

In our veterinary center, all animals after surgery are under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital. Of course, we watch especially closely for adult and elderly cats, especially if they have any health problems. We return to their owners only fully awakened animals in whose stable condition we are completely confident.

Neutering an adult cat is a responsible decision. Of course, you want to entrust your pet to professionals, specialists in their field. The veterinarian is waiting for you and your pets!

The procedure for sterilizing cats: methods and features

How cats are sterilized depends on the method chosen. There are three ways to perform the operation.

Classic method. It is a skin incision in a previously prepared area along the white line of the abdomen slightly below the navel. The length of the incision is about 3 cm. This method allows you to remove both the uterus and ovaries. Its advantage is the possibility of direct access for a specialist to the cat’s organs. The disadvantage is the long length of the suture, which can provoke infection and bleeding.
Using a side cut. Dissection of the abdominal cavity is carried out on the side of the midline of the abdomen, with the length of the wound not exceeding 1 cm. The method is not very convenient for performing manipulations and is used in situations where the classic option is not possible, or for tubal ligation. The advantage of the method is the rapid healing of a small incision, which reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
Laparoscopic sterilization of cats. It makes it possible to remove both the uterus and ovaries through a small puncture in the abdominal wall. The entire process takes place using a special device, and the doctor’s actions are displayed on the monitor screen in real time. The method is characterized by minimal trauma to animal tissue, a reduced recovery period and a low likelihood of complications. However, it is rarely used, since it presupposes the availability of appropriate equipment in the clinic and the skills of a veterinarian, which ultimately adds up to the high cost of the procedure.

Each type of operation is performed under anesthesia, and the time for sterilization of cats is determined by the chosen method and can range from 15-20 minutes to one hour or more.

Reasons for sterilization and is there an alternative?

Among the explanatory factors for sterilization are:

Unwanted offspring - a cat can give birth to up to 9 kittens. They get rid of them in a barbaric manner - not all owners want to spend time on an extension, so they often throw them away or drown them. The animal is fertile, so it can give birth annually.
Behavior control – if the animal lives in apartment conditions, puberty negatively affects the entire atmosphere in the family. Simple attacks by a cat on household members can result in marking of the territory, as a result of which people are faced with an unpleasant and irremovable odor.
Prevention of sexually transmitted infections - veterinarians speak positively about sterilization, since this causes a decrease in the development of pathologies in 50% of cases.
Increased life expectancy - sterilized pets live 2-3 years longer. Everything is explained by the absence of hormonal surges and “wear and tear” of the body during pregnancy and unrealized estrus.

Theoretically, you can do without abdominal surgery - we are talking about taking hormonal drugs that reduce the frequency of estrus in a cat. But this method does not always help; it often causes the development of pathologies, even the formation of cancerous tumors.

Note! Hormonal drugs are allowed to be given no more than 1-2 times a year. It will not be possible to prevent estrus with such a scheme.

There is another ineffective option - treating the cat with special sedatives. These are homeopathic herbal remedies, so they have only a superficial effect on the psyche - libido does not decrease.

As a result, the cat may feel lighter, but only for a short time. Such remedies include “Cat Bayun” and “Bach Drops”.

How to care for a cat after sterilization

Few owners have a complete idea of what to do after sterilizing a cat. Meanwhile, it is the postoperative period that determines the further state of the pet’s health.

If it is not possible to leave the cat in the clinic for the first few days, and she is “discharged” home immediately after the operation, you need to learn in detail all the nuances of care from a veterinarian. Depending on the pet’s condition before and after the intervention, she may be prescribed antibacterial drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers. In addition, the specialist will tell you when (and whether) you need to come to remove the stitches, how often to do dressings, what products are best to use in this case, and other information. It would be good if the veterinarian can give his phone number so that in case of a sharp deterioration in the condition, he can be contacted without delay.

Features of transporting an animal from the clinic

You need to take your cat home not in your arms, but by placing it in a special carrier that has a flat and even bottom. Any shaking or displacement of the torso can cause the seams to separate. It is advisable to cover the animal with a light blanket or warm cloth, since due to the operation and anesthesia, the pet’s body temperature becomes lower than normal.

Where is the best place to place a cat in an apartment?

While the cat is recovering from sterilization, it is best for her to be on the floor. The owner needs to arrange the bed in advance: choose a spacious place where no one can disturb the animal, lay down a blanket, and put waterproof diapers on top. To ensure free flow of saliva, the pet should be placed on its right side.

It is imperative to ensure that the place reserved for the cat is not in a draft or near a heating device. However, you will still need to cover it; to do this, just take a light but dense fabric.

What to wear on a cat after sterilization

Cat in a blanket after sterilization

After sterilization, the cat's stomach should be isolated from the external environment to avoid infection of the wound. To do this, use a blanket - special clothing with slots for paws, fastened with Velcro or tape on the back of the animal. The device should be worn for about 10-14 days, depending on the complexity of the operation, the condition of the seam and other nuances.

Cat blankets should be washed, ironed, and then put on again. Such clothing is removed only to treat the surgical wound. To prevent your pet from taking it off, there should be no threads or loose ends of ties sticking out on the blanket. The product is selected only according to individual sizes, since the animal will easily remove a wide blanket, while a narrow blanket will interfere with blood flow.

Some owners sew such bandages themselves. Sometimes tights or socks are used as a means of improvisation, having previously cut holes. Whether the cat will wear such a blanket is unknown. Judging by the stories of owners on the Internet, many animals stage concerts or behave aggressively, even without fully recovering from anesthesia. As a result, the blanket is replaced with a collar, and the bandage on the wound is fixed with a plaster.

Coming out of anesthesia

The cat's behavior after surgery becomes inadequate and unpredictable due to anesthesia. During the first 1-2 days, the animal should not be left alone for a long time. Coming out of a narcotic state is accompanied by complete disorientation in space, staggering, wobbly limbs, screaming, meowing, aggression and other manifestations.

The duration of recovery of a cat from anesthesia can range from 5-6 hours to a day or more. But the pet usually begins to come to its senses 2-4 hours after the operation. There is no need to give her anything to drink, much less eat, at this time. It is allowed to moisten the oral cavity with water from a spoon or syringe.

How to feed a cat after sterilization

It is prohibited to feed the cat within 24 hours after sterilization. This is associated with the risk of a gag reflex (due to anesthesia) and decreased intestinal activity. Any contraction of the abdominal muscles or intestinal wall can lead to the opening of the wound or provoke intra-abdominal bleeding. Liquid food in the form of broth, meat ground and mixed with broth, porridge with water can be introduced into the animal’s diet approximately on the second day. You will need to follow a liquid diet until the stitch is removed.

If your cat refuses food and water

The first day after sterilization, the pet may not have an appetite. The alarm should be sounded if the cat does not eat or drink for more than 2 days, and all attempts to give it liquid food or water using a syringe end in failure. To recover, she definitely needs to take at least broth. To prevent dehydration and exhaustion of the pet, the owner should contact the clinic - an alternative may be intravenous nutrition.

Toilet problems

It happens that a cat does not go to the toilet after sterilization. If this happens within 1-2 days after surgery, then there is no need to worry. Due to preoperative fasting and dehydration, she simply has nothing to empty her bowels with. Other reasons for this phenomenon include:

stress from surgery;
the effect of anesthesia or drugs;
the blanket gets in the way;
the seam hurts.

Lack of bowel movements with normal appetite may indicate constipation. In this case, laxatives and a liquid diet will help. If your cat continues to have problems with the toilet more than 3 days after sterilization, you should immediately consult a veterinarian.

How is the operation performed?

All surgical methods of sterilization (removal of the uterus and ovaries, removal of some ovaries and tubal ligation) are abdominal operations performed under general anesthesia, lasting 35-40 minutes. The animal does not feel pain.

Sutures (internal or external) are applied both with threads and with metal staples. The location and length of the incision depend on the sterilization method; the width of the seam ranges from 1 to 5 cm.

Caring for a cat after sterilization

In order for your cat to recover quickly after surgery, the following rules must be followed:

It is necessary to provide her with a hard, comfortable bed.
Do not disturb her sleep in the first few hours after surgery.
It is advisable to stay close to the pet recovering from anesthesia, at least for several hours.
Cover the cat recovering from anesthesia with a warm blanket, as at this moment its body temperature will drop significantly.
Put a special bandage on your cat to prevent stitches from licking.
Regularly (morning and evening) treat the seam with ointment prescribed by your veterinarian.
If non-absorbable material was used during the operation, after 10 days you will have to go to the clinic to have the stitches removed.
Be prepared for the fact that the very next day some cats may independently visit the litter box and move actively, although in most cases they most often lie in the place designated for them.

At what age should a cat be spayed?

When can a cat be spayed? This question (as well as the question of when to vaccinate a kitten) often worries caring cat owners.

There is no clear answer to this question. Recently, it has become fashionable to carry out early sterilization of kittens at almost two months of age. Proponents of this approach argue that at this age animals are not so sensitive to pain and their recovery after surgery is faster.

Opponents of early sterilization are convinced that this haste in the future will lead to improper formation and development of internal organs.

The most common point of view is:

The most optimal time for sterilization is considered to be 6-8 months of age (during this period the animal reaches puberty).
It is necessary to carry out the operation before the onset of the first heat.
If estrus does begin, it is necessary to protect the animal from pregnancy.
It is forbidden to perform surgery during estrus: this is fraught with the risk of dangerous complications. It is best to sterilize your cat a week later.

Is it possible to sterilize an adult cat?

Many pet owners who did not sterilize their pets on time and fear for their health often ask: “When should I sterilize a cat that is no longer a kitten?” Is it possible to sterilize animals that have already given birth, as well as older animals?

In principle, cats can be sterilized at any age. You just need to understand that the risk of developing many diseases in cats sterilized at an already mature age is many times higher than the same indicator in those animals that were operated on on time.

If an owner decides to sterilize an adult cat, he or she must carefully select a veterinarian and prepare for the fact that post-operative care will require more time.

What complications occur after sterilization of a cat?

Despite the simplicity of the operation, removal of a cat's reproductive organs can lead to complications. One of the most common is a lump on the stomach. It can occur due to swelling of soft tissues or excessively dividing young cells necessary for healing of the suture. In these cases, the lump after sterilization is not dangerous and gradually disappears on its own. But if the formation occurs as a hernia of internal tissues through a suture, then emergency surgery will be required.

Other possible complications after sterilizing a cat include:

allergies to pharmaceuticals;
deterioration in the functioning of the kidneys, heart, liver due to anesthesia;
bleeding;
neoplasms (in the long-term period).

The development of complications depends not only on the quality of the operation or the method of its implementation, but also on other nuances: at what age the cat is, its state of health at the time of the procedure, postoperative care, and so on.

When does a cat need to be sterilized?

Sometimes the veterinarian and owner have to make the decision to immediately neuter the animal, no matter how old it is and even if it is a breeding cat or a pregnant cat.

These cases are few and far between. Mandatory sterilization is required for a cat or cat that has:

oncological diseases of the genital organs;
benign formations of any location;
breast tumors of various types of pathology;

In addition, the procedure is mandatory for an animal with a false pregnancy, as well as to correct the results of unsuccessful sterilization - incomplete removal of the genitals, resulting in repeated estrus.

All over the world, all street cats and kittens have long been sterilized, microchipped and vaccinated to prevent uncontrolled reproduction. Therefore, homeless animals are most often also sterilized as part of volunteer programs at any age and without expensive diagnostics.

Features of sterilization of cats for different body conditions

Sterilization of a cat must take place in accordance with certain requirements for its age and hormonal status. However, there are situations when there is a need for surgery during pregnancy, estrus and other conditions. The owner must know in what cases this is permissible and what the dangers are.

During heat

Removal of reproductive organs during this period is not recommended, since a sharp change in the hormonal levels of the cat’s body will negatively affect its future health. The recovery period will also be longer and more difficult; the risk of developing postoperative complications increases.

Veterinary experts recommend sterilizing a cat a week after the end of estrus and no later than 2 weeks before it starts.

During pregnancy

Sterilizing a pregnant cat is also fraught with negative consequences. It is justified only in the following cases:

abnormal development of fetuses;
a cat disease caused by pregnancy that threatens its life;
the animal is not able to bear kittens due to health conditions or age.

After childbirth

Sterilization of cats after birth must be carried out in accordance with certain rules:

if the pet does not feed the kittens, you should wait about a month;
if the cat is nursing, then you will need to wait 2 to 3 months after giving birth.

The most suitable time to sterilize an animal after lambing is 60 days. During this period, hormonal levels will normalize, the uterus will acquire its normal size, and blood circulation in the pelvis will be restored.

The following situations may be indications for emergency sterilization immediately after childbirth:

uterine rupture during the birth of kittens;
neoplasms of the reproductive organs discovered during gestation;
abnormalities, damage to the placenta;
the presence or threat of severe postpartum bleeding.

While feeding kittens

As in the previous case, sterilization of a nursing cat is done only for certain indications. In addition to the above, it is possible to carry out an operation at the request of the owner if the death of newborns has occurred and the mother still has milk. Or, if the animal is used to walking outside, the cat can become pregnant even while feeding. Such situations are a common reason why owners cannot “catch” the necessary period of time to sterilize a reveler.

Cost of sterilization of cats

The price of cat sterilization is influenced by several factors:

pricing policy and level of the veterinary clinic;
type of operation;
operating conditions (suture material, anesthesia, etc.);
complexity of surgical intervention;
postoperative period (care in the clinic, administration of additional drugs, complications, intravenous feeding, etc.).

On average, sterilizing a cat costs from 1,200 to 5,000 rubles.

Is it possible to sterilize a cat for free?

Sterilization of cats is not a mandatory, socially necessary veterinary service. However, many cities periodically hold promotions where stray cats can be sterilized for free. In addition, in some clinics, for certain reasons (they recently opened, the staff lacks experience, as advertising), prices for this service are reduced to 400-500 rubles.

Is it possible to sterilize a cat at home?

Cat sterilization can be done at home. This is a simple operation that does not take much time and does not require the presence of an assistant. The owner can, for an additional fee, agree in advance with the veterinarian on the date of the procedure.

Sterilizing a cat at home has advantages: the animal does not need to be taken to the clinic and back, and the risk of “catching” an infection is reduced. The negative point is that if a difficult situation arises in the postoperative period, the veterinarian will not be available for resuscitation.

Sterilizing a cat, although it is a surgical intervention in the animal’s body, is a more humane treatment of it than drowning or throwing away kittens. The owner needs to think carefully before taking home a cat. If horror arises at the thought of numerous offspring, then you need to sterilize your pet and save her and yourself from suffering.

Sterilization by age

Based on the timing of the surgical intervention, sterilization is divided into three types.

Early sterilization

This procedure has been carried out abroad for a long time. It consists in the fact that kittens aged from six weeks to four to five months undergo surgical intervention. But in our country they began to resort to early sterilization quite recently.

According to some veterinarians, if the genitals are removed at this age, the cat does not achieve harmonious development. Their opponents defend the point of view that, on the contrary, the animal grows healthier and more muscular and can more easily endure the procedure itself.

Sterilization after puberty

It usually occurs after the cat reaches five months of age. But in some breeds and in individuals with individual hormonal development, it can occur later - from seven months to a year.

Removal of internal genital organs after one year

The opinion that it is better to sterilize a cat after two or three heats, and sometimes after one or two births, has both supporters and opponents.

We recommend reading the article about whether it is possible to sterilize a cat after giving birth.

The female reached the climax in the development of the body, experienced a hormonal storm and, if she was mated by a male cat, became pregnant and gave birth to kittens. In this case, she is still young enough to undergo the operation safely.

There can be only one disadvantage of this age - the mating is not recorded, and the kittens were born without documents. They need to be looked after and distributed. In this case, they will be outbred, even if they were born from elite parents.

Where is it better to carry out operations: at home or in a veterinary clinic?

Of course, only a doctor with the appropriate education can operate on a cat. However, this can be done in a veterinary clinic or at home - which is better?

of surgery in a veterinary clinic include:

there is a sterile operating room - this minimizes the development of infection;
the cat is placed in the postoperative unit, where proper care is provided;
the chances of quickly solving the problem of an emergency situation are increased, thanks to the availability of the equipment necessary for this.

Disadvantages include travel costs and the owner's wait time in the clinic's hallways.

Despite the positive aspects of having the procedure done at a veterinary clinic, some veterinarians prefer to sterilize at home. Firstly, they do not have a room to receive patients. Secondly, it is cheaper, so there is more clientele.

The advantages of surgery performed at home include:

lack of stress in the pet before surgery;
no risk of contracting viral and infectious diseases that a cat can get in the veterinary clinic itself;
the ability to schedule the operation at a more convenient time for the owner.

Among the disadvantages, the only highlight is the lack of ability to ensure high-quality sterility.

Note! On-site veterinarians use a minimal set of tools and materials, which is why if a complication occurs during surgery, they will not be able to provide assistance properly. It is also noted that not all veterinarians working on field trips have the appropriate license to conduct operations.