What is the difference between castration and sterilization. Castration VS sterilization: expert opinion The difference between sterilization and castration

04.02.2021

which is "better" to choose

Sooner or later, owners of domestic cats begin to think about castration / sterilization of their pets, because in this way they not only save their pets from more problems, but even prolong their life ...

True, a good proportion of cat lovers often erroneously interpret the above concepts, believing that usually males are castrated, and females are sterilized. But in fact, these processes are in no way related to the gender of animals, but involve various types of surgical intervention, ultimately leading to one result - cats and cats lose their ability to reproduce.

What is the difference?

So, at castration there is a complete removal of the sex glands from the body of the animal (in males - the testes, and in females - the ovaries), as a result of which the pet is provided with complete sexual rest throughout the rest of his life. After the operation, the animal will not have any desires and needs, as well as the opportunity to conduct full sexual activity.

But sterilization, in turn, is rarely used in veterinary medicine for small pets, as it consists in ligating (that is, tying or soldering) the spermatic cords in cats and the oviducts in cats. After such an intervention, animals lose their 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 the life of the household, the sterilization of cats and cats does not make sense at all, because all the nuances of their sexual behavior remain unchanged (increased activity, screams, aggressiveness, etc., etc.) .

Technically, the operation to sterilize domestic cats is quite possible, but it is usually used for medical reasons in the treatment of some diseases.

Training

As for the castration procedure, you need to thoroughly prepare for it:

firstly, the pet must be hungry (that is, do 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 animals aged or with any pathologies) in order to minimize all kinds of risks.

Castration of a cat

The surgical intervention itself in cats in this case is carried out as follows: to begin with, anesthesia is injected into the animal, the hair on the scrotum is shaved off and the skin is treated with special means, after which a small incision is made to extract the testicles, and then this very incision is sutured. Typically, such an operation takes no more than 15 minutes, and postoperative sutures do not require any processing 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 combing.

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 an illuminator are inserted. The surgeon controls all his actions by means of a display showing the image of the operation. But such an operation, of course, will cost more.

Recovery after surgery depends on the individual characteristics of the organism of a particular animal, which can take a different time. As a rule, after anesthesia, cats and cats leave after 2-4 hours, and fully recover after about one day.

To do or not to do?

This question sooner or later confronts every owner of an adult animal. In order not to be tormented by this question, you must first understand what castration is, why it is done and what will change in the life of the animal after the operation.

Castration is the removal of the testicles, in the case of a cat, the removal of the ovaries and in no case is not complete castration, cutting off “everything”.

How does this happen?

It is produced as follows: the animal is given anesthesia (much weaker than for a serious abdominal operation), a small incision is made on the scrotum, through which the testicles are removed. The incision is sutured and outwardly it is not even very clear whether the cat is neutered or not, it is possible to determine the presence / absence of the testicles only by touch.

In cats, there are two options for castration - traditional, in the form of abdominal surgery, when a 10 cm incision is made on the abdomen, after the operation a horse collar is put on the cat, and a more modern method based on the principle of vacuum abortion, when a 3-5 cm incision is made on the side, then it is simply sutured and all. Such an operation is easier to bear.

The operation lasts for 15 minutes, the animal leaves anesthesia from 2 to 4 hours, fully recovers in a day.

Why should an animal be castrated?

The fact is that the sexual instinct is one of the strongest in nature. Animals, unlike humans, have sex not for love or attraction, but for the call of nature solely in order to have offspring. Therefore, the very "mechanism" of this instinct is completely physiological - the animal experiences physical discomfort, irritation, which it tries to eliminate as instinct prompts.

The biggest mistake people make is projecting the behavior of an animal onto themselves, identifying actions with human ones. Everything that people do in relation to love and sex, first of all, comes from the head, a person is a thinking being. But animals are driven by bare physiology, natural instinct. A person can decide for himself, let's say, for religious reasons, that he wants to renounce everything "worldly, carnal." An animal cannot act like that, it SHOULD and that's it.

A pet, not finding an outlet for sexual energy, will look for a way to solve this problem in ways that are understandable to him. All those marks and screams that torment the owners of unneutered animals are just a way to tell other cats “I'm HERE !!” Nothing personal, no one takes revenge on the owners in retaliation, no one harms, etc. etc. Even the soiled bed or clothes of the owner does not get out of this logic - the owner will smell of me, go outside and everyone (cats) around will find out that he has a cat, they will follow him and find ME.

The cat will have heat and heat until she becomes pregnant, the cat will desire a cat even more often. Actually, the cat is almost constantly in "combat readiness". Even attempts to bring a cat to a cat will not correct the situation - you will not get as many cats in the district as an adult mature cat needs! I'm not talking about free range at all, it's just barbarism! On the street, cats face a lot of dangers in the form of dogs, scum-flayers, homeless people who catch cats just to eat, cars. There is no place for a domestic cat on the street!!

In addition, the torment of the animal is expressed not only in the inability to satisfy the sexual instinct, but also in the general deterioration of the physical condition. Many owners are familiar with the situation - a fat kitty walked happy with life, as it flowed, it was blown away like a ball and the coat became worse. Cats can stay in this unkempt condition for months!

Thus, castration is primarily a help to the animal to get rid of physiological suffering, and only secondarily will there be the disappearance of the accompanying “charms of life” in the form of marks, ora, and sometimes even wild aggressiveness, into which accumulated sexual energy is poured.

There is a completely scientific explanation for this off-scale high reproductive instinct. The fact is that in the wild, the life of a cat is very short, on average 5 years. During this time, she must have time to leave offspring so that the genus of cats does not become extinct. Therefore, in unusually favorable conditions, cats begin to breed at an alarming rate, and their livestock can seriously disrupt the ecological balance of the area. Suffice it to recall the sad story of the Australian Macquarie Island - in order to save local birds, the population of cats brought there earlier had to be destroyed. :((

Is their suffering so great?

Good question. Maybe they don’t suffer like that, you think, well, they won’t get married, people live for years without a partner and nothing. So, all the physiology of the torment of non-knitting cats and cats can only be compared with the urge to go to the toilet. Try drinking a few beers and be patient!

And yet, it is absolutely not correct to identify cats with women, because. they have a fundamentally different physiology! A sexually mature woman has a cycle in which the egg first matures, and then, in the absence of fertilization, is washed out of the body during menstruation. In a cat, until intercourse occurs, the eggs do not come out of the ovaries. Let's assume fertilization has taken place. In this case, everything happens in a normal way - pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, then the recovery period, and all over again. Such a cycle cannot but say its “phi” to the body, and in the wild, constantly giving birth cats quickly disappear.

If fertilization has not occurred, then the hormonal background does not return to normal, remaining elevated. After 2-3 weeks, again a jump and again waiting for conception (remember that the natural cycle is short and the task of accelerated reproduction is very important). And so, gradually, step by step, climbing the stairs up and up until a critical mass is reached and the body “explodes” with a bouquet of diseases: oncology (the sex hormone progesterone is the first cause of cancer in cats), pyometra, adenomas and other “female » charms. (See, for example, Feline mammary hypertrophy/fibroadenoma complex: clinical and hormonal aspects. Hayden DW, Johnston SD, Kiang DT, Johnson KH, Barnes DM).

And what will happen after?

Sexual activity is significantly reduced or completely disappears. It all depends on the environment in which the neutered cat lives. If he lives alone, then his sexual desires will die, if he lives with cats, then he can quite calmly continue to knit, but already without the possibility of having offspring.

As for everything else, the castrati are cheerful, active, cheerful, and also not subject to “losing weight” due to heat. I have extensive information on the mass of neutered animals that do not feel disadvantaged in any way, and in the case of living with non-neutered animals, they still pump the rights for who is in charge!

What is sterilization?

Isn't that the same as castration? Not at all, and a very common mistake is to confuse these two concepts. Sterilization and castration are two different things. When sterilizing, they just tie up the spermatic cords in cats and the ducts in cats, without removing anything. This is done only in order to deprive the animal of the possibility of reproduction, but does not eliminate the causes of sexuality, which means that it is categorically not suitable for solving the problem. Unfortunately, even veterinarians sometimes do not understand the difference well, not understanding what drives the owners who brought the cat for surgery and offer sterilization as a way out, although it is categorically unsuitable. There were cases when the operated cat began to flow again, and the owners could not understand what was happening. And only a second operation corrected the situation.

What about cryptorchids?

Cryptorch is a cat whose testicles have not descended into the scrotum, stuck in the abdominal cavity. There are complete cryptorchidism and unilateral. It would seem that the testicles did not descend, they turned out to be underdeveloped, which means that the cat seems to be not full-fledged, why castrate him? A very common misconception!

Due to the fact that the testicles in the abdominal cavity are constantly overheated, sperm is not viable and because of this there is no possibility of procreation, otherwise the cat has all the habits and behavioral characteristics of full-fledged cats. Unilateral cryptorchids have the ability to have offspring, viable sperm from a normally developed testicle is sufficient to conceive. Unfortunately, this deficiency is inherited, so these cats are culled from breeding. Moreover, increased temperature in the testicles causes increased sexual excitability. Cryptorchs are no less, and even more sexy than full-fledged cats. In addition, various inflammatory processes are possible in an undescended testicle, which can threaten the life of your pet.

Thus, castration of cryptorchids is absolutely necessary, and both testicles must be removed. It will be an abdominal operation like cat spaying.

This article is taken from the nursery website "RASKUN" G. KRASNOYARSK

When a small kitten appears in the house, the life of the family changes. Everyone is touched by what clever little eyes he has, what sensitive ears, what soft and pink paws, and how amusingly he falls on a barrel.

Over time, the kitten grows to turn into a real cat or a cat. He does not lose his touchingness: the family still admires his belly, ponytail and the ability to fit only two long activities into his daily schedule: “lie on the sofa” and “lie under the sofa”. But upon reaching the age of 7-8 months (puberty), the owners notice the unusual behavior of the pet: the always obedient and exemplary kitten begins to mark corners, and the most silent cat screams tirelessly, and even how loudly! All these are signs that the kitten has reached adulthood and has a sexual instinct.

What to do when your pet hits puberty?

If a cat or a cat is not intended for procreation, then the answer to this question is one: castrate or sterilize. Only surgical intervention allows you to deprive your pet of its sexual instinct as efficiently and without risks to the health of the pet. All other methods, such as pills, are extremely dangerous for animals and, moreover, do not bring the expected result.

Why is it necessary?

It is strictly forbidden to allow an uncastrated or unsterilized animal to walk. Do not console yourself with the thought that your cat or cat is living a full life. They produce kittens - no one needs, no one loves kittens who will be doomed to live in fear in a big city all their lives. Yes, and they themselves will give birth to new kittens. For a cat, constant childbirth (and without your control, a cat will give birth at least two, and maybe even four times a year) does not bring not only joy, but also benefits. Childbirth is stress for the body, and regular childbirth guarantees an unpleasant “bouquet” of diseases for the cat.

Castration and sterilization is humane. Yes, this is an operation, yes, this is surgery, and yes, after that, the pet needs additional care for some time. But at the same time, you do not poison your pet with poisonous pills, do not torment your pet with unmet needs, and do not produce kittens on the streets.

An unrealized sexual instinct in a pet is really torment. Humans don't have this, but you can imagine how your pet would feel if they drank too much liquid and were unable to go to the bathroom. This is not the most pleasant feeling, and your pets certainly do not deserve this. And besides, in the absence of fertilization, the cat's hormonal levels constantly increase, which ultimately results in a number of very serious diseases, including cancer.

Advantages of castration and sterilization:

Significantly reduces the risk of many serious diseases.

The cat stops marking territory.

Animals stop screaming and imitating sexual intercourse.

Increases the life of the pet.

The cat becomes more calm and docile.

The pet does not need to go outside, which means that he will not get lost, fight, get hit by a car or get into other trouble.

Stops the endless appearance of new and new kittens.

Improves the appearance and well-being of the pet.

The cost of maintaining a pet is reduced (it consumes less food, it does not get injured and sick, which means there will be no need to regularly take it to the veterinarian).

What is the difference between castration and sterilization?

Yes, these things are not the same. When castration occurs, the complete removal of the organs responsible for reproduction (testicles - in a cat, ovaries and uterus - in a cat). With castration, the sexual instinct in the animal disappears. When sterilized, animals become sterile (they stop producing offspring), their genitals remain in place and continue their standard work, and the instinct is still present.

Both of these methods deprive you and your pet of the problems associated with the sexual sphere (unless, of course, the sterilized animal has the opportunity to have sexual intercourse whenever it wants). However, it must be taken into account that castration is still a more humane way: it deprives pets of hormonal disruptions associated with sexual desire, aggression, stress and risks associated with “walks”. And yet sterilized pets still mark the territory and suffer from estrus. The health and standard of living of a neutered pet is higher, not lower, as some people mistakenly believe.

When should a pet be neutered or spayed?

It is highly desirable to have the operation done before your pet reaches puberty. The early castration of animals is becoming increasingly popular when they reach the age of 6-8 weeks. Puberty occurs at 7-8 months, and by this time it is highly desirable to have an already castrated or sterilized animal.

How to care for a cat and a cat after surgery?

Provide your pet with a bed in a place where he will not fall off. Best of all - on the floor. Getting up and down on chairs and sofas at this stage can be too difficult for a pet. Place a cloth or oilcloth under the pet, which is not a pity: there is a risk of involuntary urination. Block off all unwanted places in which the cat could hide and hide: it must always be in sight and in comfort. Do not let them climb up - most likely, the animal will not have enough strength for this, and it will fall.

If your pet starts to feel chills, take him to your place, cover him with a blanket or overlay heating pads (they can be replaced with bottles of warm water). Be prepared for the fact that the cat starts to vomit, make sure that she does not suffocate. If necessary, treat the seams with hydrogen peroxide. If the pet will try to lick the seams - put a blanket on him. At night, be sure to give your pet a drink, but do not be afraid that at first he will be disgusted with food. The next day, as a rule, pets begin to eat a little and their strength is restored.

Do not disturb the pet, let him rest. Be there for him and look after him, but do not try to involve him in games. And be sure to follow all the recommendations given to you by your veterinarian!

If something bothers you, if the pet is very sick or shivering, it is better to play it safe and consult a veterinarian. Call him and describe the condition of the pet, and he will definitely tell you what to do.

After castration and sterilization, the animal becomes much calmer and more attached to its owner. The words that the operation leads to obesity of the pet are not true. Cats do not lose their craving for games and active pastime, but they stop getting into fights. If you pay attention to your pet and play with him, then his weight will not change.

An operation on a pet should be carried out by a really good doctor who will not harm his health in any way. With proper post-operative care, your cat will quickly recover and feel better than before. Keeping a pet will bring you only joy, he will feel it and will certainly thank you for your care with regular petting and purring.

For some reason, many people think that castration is the removal of the genital organs in male cats, and, accordingly, sterilization is the removal of the genital organs in female cats. But this is far from the case, because these are not equivalent concepts. Information about the difference between castration and sterilization of cats, at what age it is better to perform the operation and why it is useful for those who keep a young cat.

What is castration and sterilization

Since cat owners often have the question of neutering or spaying a cat, they should know what constitutes both. Castration is a veterinary operation for the complete removal of the genital organs in 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.

Normally, healthy young cats who have not yet given birth have only 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 neutered cats due to the cessation of egg production. As a result, all the symptoms of sexual behavior, including annoying cat "songs", also end.

When sterilized, cats simply tie the fallopian tubes, without partial or hollow removal of the internal genital organs.

The ovaries and uterus remain, function normally and continue to produce hormones. Therefore, sterilized individuals retain both normal sexual desire and all instincts, they retain the ability to mate, but with 100% probability they cannot bear offspring, as they become completely sterile. This is 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 towards cats than the second. Sterilized animals, even those that have never given birth, still experience whole "hormonal storms" inside every time the onset of estrus, since their genitals function quite normally. But, not being able 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, it pays more attention to its owner and other members of the family. A neutered cat becomes more calm, docile and affectionate. She has no sexual activity at all, so she doesn't run around the house, meow at night, urinate in the wrong places, ruin furniture, ask to go outside and wander around 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 does not always become fat and lazy. His appetite does not necessarily increase, but much more often remains at the same level, since after this surgical operation his metabolism slows down much, and the animal requires food in a smaller volume. Accordingly, after castration, the cost of food, which is usually fed to the pet, is reduced, which is also an indirect, but significant plus of this veterinary procedure. At the same time, the neutered cat remains moderately well-fed, mobile, playful and cheerful.
The advantage of castration is that neutered 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 of the genital area and thus maintain health for many years.
After castration, pets generally get sick much less often than their “full-fledged”, as well as sterilized relatives, therefore, castration of cats, unlike sterilization, allows them to live much longer, and the quality of life of fluffy pets is greatly 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 operate

But even earlier castration is undesirable, since the cat's body is 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 the age of more than 8 months. Veterinary practice shows that cats from 1 year to 7 years of age tolerate sterilization perfectly. But it is worth remembering that the older the animal, the more effective sterilization decreases and the risk of negative postoperative complications increases more and more.

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 the procedure, but the disadvantage of this particular option is that 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 the disadvantage of home sterilization.

VETERINARY CONSULTATION REQUIRED. INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Administration

Spaying a cat- a surgical operation that veterinarians around the world have been successfully performing for many years. Methods for 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 confronts every owner. With the onset of puberty, a cat is able to turn a quiet house into a real hell, and bring the owner to 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 her desire not to let you rest. Just in this way, she informs her relatives that she is ready for mating, and calls the cat "on a date." Such is the nature of a cat. Her wild ancestors have shaped this type of behavior for centuries, and she simply obeys ancient instincts.

But what to do if there is no cat nearby, and the owner has no desire to have his pet and then take care of the kittens? A mutually beneficial solution is to sterilize the cat. After the operation, for about a month, the production of female sex hormones (estrogens) stops, the hormonal background decreases, and the cat again turns into a cute, harmless domestic animal.
With a high degree of probability, sterilization will help and save the cat from excessive aggressiveness. With a decrease in the level of hormones in the blood, the character improves, the animal becomes calmer, aggression towards others and the owner decreases or completely disappears.

Sterilization and castration of cats

The term "sterilization" is used, as a rule, for cats (females), and the term "castration" - for cats (males). It is believed that cats are sterilized, and cats are castrated. For ease of communication with the client and veterinarians use the same terminology. However, female animals are both castrated and sterilized. Let's consider the differences.

Spaying a cat involves removing only the ovaries, without removing the uterus (ovariectomy). Castration is the complete surgical removal of all reproductive organs (ovariohysterectomy).

What is better - castration or sterilization? Let's figure it out.
With an ovariectomy, 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 because its blood supply is not interrupted. She will never fulfill her destiny and will not be able to bear fruit. But since the organ is quite alive, the risk of developing uterine diseases is fully preserved. It can be both neoplasms and inflammatory diseases (endometritis, pyometra, etc.). So why save an organ that will play the role of a time bomb, with the risk of exploding at the most inopportune moment?
That is why at present almost no one performs ovariectomy (classic 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 the clinic or at home?

Any abdominal surgery is better and safer to do in a veterinary clinic. In the operating room, there are more opportunities for emergency measures if something suddenly goes wrong.

It is even better if the clinic provides a post-operative hospital service. Then your pet will be under the supervision of specialists during the entire crisis period. Of course, emergency measures are not always required.

In the photo: a day hospital in our veterinary clinic. The animal remains under the supervision of a doctor until complete recovery from anesthesia.

Usually, young and healthy cats tolerate ovariohysterectomy well and, with minimal care recommendations, recover well at home. It will only take one more visit to the clinic to remove the stitches.

Advantages of sterilization in the clinic: all the necessary conditions for the operation are provided, the risk of emergency situations is reduced, there is a high probability of overcoming them.

Cons of sterilization in the clinic: Cost of the owner's time traveling and waiting for the operation to finish.

Despite the clear advantages of surgery in a veterinary clinic, home spaying of cats is also practiced by most veterinarians and, with proper training and responsibility of the specialist, is technically no different from surgery in the clinic.

In the photo: preparation for sterilization of a cat at home.

Benefits of home sterilization is the absence of stress in a cat from a trip and a forced stay in a place that is foreign to her (some cats are panicky afraid to leave the apartment), as well as the absence of risks of contracting infectious diseases (if the animal is not vaccinated). In addition, a doctor can be invited at a convenient time for the owner, which is also very important for people who are constantly busy at work.

Cons of home surgery: it is difficult to ensure high-quality sterility.

Age of sterilization of cats

We recommend neutering cats after they reach 7-8 months of age. Earlier sterilization is not desirable, because. the body of the animal is not yet fully formed and the risk of postoperative complications is high. In addition, there have been cases of lag in the growth and development of those cats that are sterilized at 4-5 months of age. It is allowed to perform the operation at the age of 6 months, provided that the cat is large and weighs at least 2.5-3 kilograms.

In a later period (older than 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 sterilization of animals shows that cats aged from 7 months to 10 years tolerate the operation perfectly and without problems. Animals older than 10 years require additional examination. For such cats, we recommend donating blood for biochemical analysis, diagnosing the work 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 the recovery from anesthesia and the healing of sutures can be somewhat more difficult. We generally recommend that surgery be performed two weeks before or two weeks after estrus. However, it often happens that a cat's estrus lasts a very long time, with minor interruptions (from 1 to 5 days). In this case, it is not possible to maintain a two-week interval, and we recommend spaying the cat in order to avoid exhaustion and a deterioration in the quality of life.

Should a cat be allowed to give birth before spaying?

Not! If you do not plan to breed cats, it is better to carry out the operation as early as possible, preventing the cat from mating. Moreover, you should not specifically knit it, knowing that you will sterilize it later.
Many cat owners are mistaken, believing that a cat must first give birth, "feel like a woman", "let them know the joy of motherhood", etc. (quotes from real conversations with cat owners at the reception).
I'll try to explain why this should not be done. At the hormonal level, the process of cat "purrs" and nightly cries is carried out through the production of estrogens, which cause typical manifestations of sexual desire. Initially, these hormones are produced only in the ovaries, and after sterilization, all unwanted phenomena for the owner disappear. If the cat has already given birth, then other endocrine glands also begin to produce female sex hormones, and sexual behavior can persist for a long time, if not forever.
Thus, the stereotypical thinking of the owner can delay the achievement of the main goal of spaying a cat - to avoid the manifestation of estrus in a pet.

Can a pregnant cat be spayed?

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 spaying a healthy pregnant cat, since during pregnancy the animal's body undergoes significant changes both at 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, the situations are different and if the owner is aware of the risks associated with such an operation and insists on it, we perform the extirpation of the uterus with fetuses.

Do cats need to be vaccinated before spaying?

It is highly desirable that the cat be vaccinated at least a month before spaying. 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) that 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 the operation in a month.

Methods for spaying cats

Let's describe the most widespread methods of operation applied around 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 dissected along the white line. The uterus is removed through the incision, a ligature is applied to the vessels from absorbable suture material (catgut, caproag, PHA, etc.) or a coagulator is used.
After that, the uterus along with the ovaries is removed, the peritoneum and skin are sutured. The skin suture can be either removable or non-removable. The first 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 in a cat by the classical method

2. The method of sterilizing a cat through a lateral incision. It differs from the previous one only in the place of tissue separation. The skin incision is made on the side, the muscles are separated in a blunt way. The method is considered less traumatic than the classic one, but there are several nuances. First, a muscle tear does not guarantee the absence of bleeding. Secondly, sterilization is more often carried out through such a wound, rather than castration, since it is not always possible to extract and remove the uterus completely. The method is recommended for sterilization of homeless animals, as it does not require maintenance of seams. If a special intradermal suture is applied, the cat can be released into the wild immediately after the operation.

In the photo: the application of a ligature to the ligament of the ovary during the sterilization of a cat with a lateral incision.
Photo provided by colleagues. As you can see in the picture, the bleeding is not less than with classical sterilization.

3. Sterilization method through an ultra-small incision 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 immerses a sterile hook into the wound, picks up the ligament and removes the ovary. After ligatures are applied, 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, the uterus is not always completely removed.

In the photo: oophorectomy with a surgical hook through a very small incision

4. . Through endoscopic technologies, through one or more punctures of the skin and abdominal wall, a complete removal of the uterus and ovaries is performed. The operation is technically complex, requires expensive equipment and special skills of the staff. In Russia, it is far from being used everywhere and costs much more than conventional sterilization.

In the photo: capture of the uterine horn during the laparoscopic method of sterilization of cats.

I would also like to point out that the best method of performing the operation is the one that the surgeon is fluent in. Any technique mastered by the doctor to the subtleties will lead to a successful outcome of cat sterilization. Do not force the doctor to do what you read on the Internet. He may do it your way, but his way is better and safer.

Another method of cat sterilization should also be mentioned - medication. This method is based on the introduction of a special implant with a medicine under the skin. Being slowly released and getting into the blood, the active substances cause the effect of reversible castration (sterilization) in cats, lasting up to 3 years. In this case, you do not have to expose the animal to anesthetic risks. A veterinarian using a special device will insert a small implant under the skin in just a few seconds. .

Preparing a cat for sterilization

No special measures are required to prepare the animal for sterilization. A prerequisite is to provide a 12-hour starvation diet. If the operation is scheduled, say, at 10 am, then the last time the cat can be fed at 10 pm, and then the food is removed altogether.

If several animals live in the house, everyone will have to starve. Or the cat will have to be placed in a separate room, without access to food. On the day of the operation, in the morning, it is recommended to remove the water.

This requirement is due to the side effect of substances used for anesthesia in cats (most veterinary clinics use a combination of xylazine and tiletamine), which manifests itself in the urge to vomit in the presence of food or water in the stomach. Aspiration of vomit can cause a serious complication - aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, we recommend that you responsibly approach the recommendation of fasting before surgery.

Care of a cat after sterilization

Usually postoperative care is not difficult for the owner of the animal. The main thing is to have some free time to watch your pet.

It is desirable for a cat to equip a horizontal soft place in warmth, preferably without access to direct sunlight (bright light irritates the cornea of the eye when recovering from anesthesia and the animal is more worried).

After bringing the cat from the veterinary clinic, lay it in a pre-prepared place and leave it alone. It is advisable to limit the access of children and other animals to a recovering cat during the first day after sterilization so that they do not disturb her.

A small nuance that frightens many pet owners is that cats do not close their eyes when under anesthesia. So that the animal does not experience discomfort from drying out of the cornea when it starts to wake up, it is recommended to periodically instill a solution for contact lenses (artificial tears) or normal saline (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 are not closed. In order not to provoke the development of postoperative conjunctivitis, it is recommended to periodically moisten the cornea.

For 7-10 days, it is also necessary to check the condition of the skin sutures (if any). The seam after sterilization must remain dry and clean. It is not allowed to jam and fester the seam.

Treatment of seams usually comes down to wiping with antiseptic solutions (chlorhexidine, dioxidine, hydrogen peroxide). Some veterinarians prescribe additional treatment with wound healing ointments.

Stitches applied during sterilization in our veterinary clinic do not require additional processing at all.

In the photo: treatment of the seam with a spray that does not allow infection to enter the wound.

In the photo: a seam 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 dressed in a special bandage (sleeve cap), in which it must remain for the entire postoperative period, until the sutures are removed. Discomfort from a blanket in a cat usually disappears during the first day after sterilization, and then she calmly wears this forced "clothes".

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.

Slight swelling around the wound due to tissue edema during healing is allowed. Usually the edema subsides in 2-3 days, no additional therapy is required.

Veterinarians in the postoperative period prescribe postoperative antibiotic therapy. As a rule, 2 injections of a prolonged-acting antibiotic, carried out at intervals of 48 hours, are sufficient. The first injection is carried out immediately in the veterinary clinic at the end of the operation, the second is prescribed two days later. The owner can make a hypodermic injection himself (we give out the drug in a syringe) or bring the cat to the veterinary clinic.

The stitches are removed after 7, maximum 10 days after the operation.

Cat after sterilization. Answers to frequently asked questions

In conclusion, I would like to answer questions that our clients often ask when contacting by phone or after surgery.

How long does it take to spay 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 well-being, give anesthesia and prepare the surgical field. And after sterilization, some more time is required to put on a 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 for the weaning of the kittens. Then, after the cessation of feeding, it is desirable to maintain a time interval of 2-3 weeks in order for the mammary glands to fully return to normal. After that, sterilization can be carried out.

But during this time she will become pregnant again!
Nothing wrong. Neutering a cat in early pregnancy will not give any serious complications.

How will the behavior of a cat change after sterilization? Will she become fat and lazy?
Changes in the hormonal background of the body can stimulate physical inactivity, but obesity, as a rule, stimulates the owner himself. If your pet has dry food constantly in the bowl and the cat has unlimited access to it, yes, obesity is likely to develop. If you follow the recommendations of the food manufacturer printed on each package and give food in portions, in accordance with the weight of the animal, a strong weight gain will not occur. In addition, many manufacturers offer a line of food for sterilized cats. These diets are specifically reduced in calories to prevent obesity.

Will the cat catch mice after the operation?
Yes, it will. Sterilization does not affect the hunting qualities of the animal. It's a delusion. The same as the fact that a cat must first be given birth.

Yesterday they did a sterilization, and today the cat does not eat anything. This is fine?
Yes, it is normal. Depending on the physiological state of the animal, the cat may refuse to eat up to 3 days after the operation. But, as a rule, appetite appears the next day after the operation.
In any case, if something bothers you, it is better to take the animal to the veterinarian.

Will sterilization help if the cat is shitting?
There is no definite answer to this question. If the word "shits" means marking the territory, then after sterilization this will stop. If the lack of upbringing is meant, or if the cat takes revenge on the owner for something, then a consultation with a zoopsychologist and long-term responsible work on behavior correction will be required.

Dmitry Golovachev,
chief physician of the veterinary clinic "Agata".

Have you read the article? Don't rush to leave! We are confident that we can convince you to entrust your kitty to our specialists!