When to sterilize a cat: optimal age, indications and contraindications

Veterinarians advise not to postpone sterilization of a cat indefinitely, since with each passing year the likelihood of postoperative risks increases. The intervention is recommended for all animals not involved in breeding, and is recognized as the most effective prevention of oncology.

Why do you need to sterilize your cat?

After puberty, cats begin to look for a mate. They leave scent marks, scream at night and constantly try to escape from the house. This is a difficult period for every owner. Despite the difficulties that arise, not everyone is in a hurry to resort to surgical intervention, fearing possible risks. Most often, owners resort to an alternative solution - hormonal drugs. They really suppress sexual desire, but with constant use they carry much more risks: the growth of tumors, the development of pathologies of the reproductive system (cyst, pyometra) and urinary systems.

Unlike hormonal drugs, sterilization permanently eliminates sexual desire and reproductive function. It has a beneficial effect on the pet’s condition, protects it from cancer and prolongs its life.

Sterilization during feeding

Many owners decide to castrate their cat only after giving birth. There are several reasons: it is a pity to perform an operation on a very young animal, as well as the belief that the pet should experience the instinct of motherhood.

Sterilization of a cat after birth is carried out only for medical reasons, as there are difficulties:

• Along with the milk, antibiotics and substances from the drug used for anesthesia will be released - this is harmful for kittens.
• Difficulties with feeding - the cat needs to wear a post-operative blanket that will cover the nipples.
• The body is weakened by childbirth. It will take longer to recover.

Veterinarians believe that cats should be sterilized no earlier than a month after birth, when kittens can be weaned from their mother. Or better yet, two, when the milk flow ends.

Difference between castration and sterilization

Sterilization (oophorectomy) is tubal ligation with or without removal of the ovaries. Most often, veterinarians perform castration (ovariohysterectomy), which involves removing not only the ovaries, but also the uterus. This method is more effective, as it eliminates the development of tumors and inflammatory diseases in the uterus.

Many people confuse these concepts, separating them not by the specifics of the procedure, but by gender. In everyday life, it is believed that females are sterilized and males are castrated. For convenience, instead of “castration” we will use the more familiar term “sterilization”.

Extirpation of the uterus of a pregnant cat

Sterilization of a pregnant cat is permissible only if there are serious indications. The procedure is called hysterectomy. It is carried out in a standard way - the ovaries and uterus are removed.

If the animal is healthy, veterinarians do not recommend surgery. The longer the period, the higher the risk of complications and the postoperative recovery will be long. Pregnancy for up to 1 month, as a rule, does not cause complications. If the period is more than 1 month, severe blood loss occurs during the operation. The animal takes a long time to recover.

Brief description of the operation

To minimize possible complications, preparatory measures are recommended. They include not only actions immediately before surgery, but also ongoing disease prevention. In particular, this refers to annual vaccination.

Preparing the animal

Anesthesia weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of infection by harmful microorganisms and parasites. For safety, it is recommended to vaccinate your pet at least a month before the procedure. Treatment for helminths is carried out within 1.5-2 weeks. In the absence of timely vaccination, the cat is given a serum injection that stimulates a stable immune response for 2 weeks.

A few days before surgery, a urine and blood test is taken from the tailed patient. To determine the safe dosage of a narcotic substance, the functioning of the heart and respiratory organs is checked using ultrasound and x-rays.

It is recommended to give up feeding 12 hours before, and water 3 hours before. This eliminates the occurrence of vomiting, which provokes the development of aspiration pneumonia.

Choosing a clinic and veterinarian

Pets that don't go outside are afraid to leave their familiar territory. To minimize stress, it is better to choose a clinic closer to home. Walking distance will eliminate travel by transport, reducing the time you spend outside your usual conditions.

For especially timid pets, calling a veterinarian to your home is a good idea. This eliminates the stress caused by a change of environment and the risk of infection from other visitors. The disadvantage of home surgery is the low sterility and lack of equipment necessary to eliminate possible complications. Most clinics provide both types of services, so the choice is up to the owner.

It is ideal if you vaccinate your animal and take it for routine examinations to the same clinic and to the same doctor. A regular veterinarian is familiar with the characteristics of the body.

Progress of the procedure

After anesthesia is administered to the tailed patient, the hair is removed at the site of the future incision or puncture. The procedure itself is carried out in two ways:

• surgical, involving classical excision with a scalpel;
• laparoscopic, based on the creation of small punctures using endoscopic equipment.

In both cases, after making an incision, the surgeon removes the reproductive organs and applies stitches. They are removable and non-removable. The first ones are removed 7-10 days after the procedure, and the second ones resolve on their own.

How to prepare an animal for surgery

Since neutering is a non-hazardous operation, there are no special measures or procedures to prepare the cat. The main thing is that the animal does not eat anything for 12 hours before sterilization. That is, if the operation is scheduled for 12 days, then the pet can be fed for the last time no later than 12 at night.

If there are several animals in the house, it is recommended that the cat being prepared for surgery be placed in a room where there is no access to the feeding troughs of other animals. When this is not possible, then all pets will have to starve a little.

A few hours before the operation, it is better to remove the water, because if it is in the stomach during the administration of anesthesia, the cat may vomit. This is because narcotic drugs contain substances that cause nausea. And if a cat aspiration of vomit occurs, a complication may occur, expressed in aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, the issue of animal starvation must be treated very responsibly.

Pros and cons of sterilization at different ages

When sterilizing, age plays a primary role. Veterinarians' opinions on the ideal age vary, but the fact that a young body is at lower risk remains the same.

Early (before first heat)

Foreign veterinarians believe that it is better to sterilize a cat when it has not yet reached puberty. This approach guarantees rapid tissue regeneration, reducing postoperative risks. Surgery is performed at 3-6 months.

Opponents of this approach cite possible developmental delays, changes in behavioral characteristics, and the development of pathologies of the eyes, kidneys and endocrine system. There is no consensus here, since supporters of early sterilization have a completely opposite opinion. They are confident that the operated animal grows up healthier.

During puberty

Most veterinarians recommend operating on your pet closer to her first heat, that is, at 7-8 months. Exceptions include kittens of different sexes from the same litter growing up together. They reach puberty earlier, so the date of surgery can be delayed by 4-6 months. Before making a decision, the veterinarian weighs the tailed patient. Its weight should be at least 2.5-3 kg. Otherwise, the operation will be delayed.

In old age

People who have picked up adult animals on the street are constantly wondering at what age a cat can be sterilized. In their case, the chance for early intervention has already been missed, so the issue is resolved individually.

Veterinarians believe that surgery is possible up to 10 years of age. After this age, the pet is considered old, and the likelihood of complications increases to a critical level. Surgery is performed only for special indications that threaten the life of the tailed patient.

Features of sexual development in different breeds

The timing of puberty varies from breed to breed. If your pet begins to show signs of heat too early, check with your veterinarian at what age cats of this breed are sterilized. Representatives of the Siamese-Oriental group mature from 4 months, and large long-haired breeds (Maine Coons, Persians, Siberians) - up to 1 year.

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.

What age is ideal - veterinarians' opinions

Doctors' opinions on what age is best to sterilize cats agree on one thing. Each subsequent year after the onset of estrus reduces the effectiveness of the procedure and increases the likelihood of complications.

The probability of developing oncology in animals operated on before their first heat is only 0.5%. At the time of surgery, the pet must be at least 7-8 months old. The exception is breeds with early maturity or kittens from the same litter.

Suitable age for castration

From about 7 months, the animal can be referred for this procedure.
To avoid unwanted pregnancy, prevent diseases of the uterus, ovaries, exclude estrus and aggression, females resort to performing an operation on the animal with the onset of puberty. The female can be sterilized no earlier than 6-7 months of age. It is necessary to give the reproductive system the opportunity to fully develop. It is advisable to have time to castrate before the first heat of girls. Further, castration occurs the same after a medical examination at 3 years old, and even at 10 years old.

The age for sterilization is from six months and without restrictions. The main thing is that before you begin to operate on a kitten, carefully examine it for diseases.

Estrus, pregnancy and childbirth

Not all owners understand the relationship between the reproductive and reproductive systems. Because of this, it is completely unclear when to spay a cat: before, during or after heat. Even more difficulties arise with the need for childbirth. Many owners mistakenly believe that deprivation of reproductive function is safe only after bearing at least one litter.

Surgery during pregnancy

Surgery is permissible if the pregnancy is no more than 1 month. Otherwise, there is a possibility of increased blood loss and a prolonged postoperative period. Intervention is also permissible in case of abnormal fetal development, poor health or old age, which prevents the safe bearing of kittens. In all other cases, the operation is postponed until complete postpartum recovery.

Surgery after childbirth

After giving birth, a young mother needs 2-3 months to fully recover. During this time, the uterus returns to its original size, and blood circulation in the pelvis is normalized.

Emergency intervention immediately after the birth of kittens is practiced when:

• detection of tumors in the reproductive organs;
• the presence and high probability of postpartum hemorrhage;
• uterine rupture;
• damage or abnormalities of the placenta.

In these situations, the risk of possible complications is higher than the risks associated with sterilization. The procedure is considered justified.

Is it necessary for a cat to give birth at least once before sterilization?

The most popular question arising from the baseless myth about the “joy of motherhood.” From a psychological point of view, animals are not subject to emotions and act instinctively. The absence or presence of pregnancy is taken for granted by them, and therefore does not have a fundamental impact on their lives.

An obvious logic appears when considering the issue from a biological point of view. Before pregnancy, female sex hormones (estrogens), responsible for sexual desire, are produced by the ovaries. If they are removed in a timely manner, the animal loses not only the ability to conceive, but also interest in the opposite sex. Otherwise, other internal secretion organs are involved in the production of estrogen. As a result, the operated pet will not be able to become pregnant again, but will continue its loud rituals of calling cats. If you do not want to endure such concerts for the rest of your furry pet’s life, do not allow mating until sterilization.

In addition to the high risk of retaining some sex hormones, pregnancy reduces the effect of the procedure. The probability of developing cancer after the first birth is 8%, and after the second it increases by more than 3 times.

Is it possible to operate on a cat during heat?

During estrus, hormonal changes occur. Any intervention is fraught with multiple complications, including the development of oncology. Due to the dilation of blood vessels, there is a high probability of heavy blood loss. Animals recover from anesthesia worse and have a more difficult time experiencing the postoperative period.

It is safer to carry out surgery 2 weeks before or after estrus, when the pet’s condition returns to normal. Exceptions include prolonged heats with a short interval between them. They impair quality of life and lead to exhaustion. In this case, the animal is sterilized for medicinal purposes.

When can you not operate?

If the furry is very small, then the procedure is life-threatening.

• At the age of 0-4 months. Due to its small age, there is a risk that the kitten will not recover from anesthesia. The animal will lag behind in development and growth.
• During heat. It is better to carry out the procedure 14 days before estrus or the same amount after estrus, otherwise there is a high risk of blood loss.
• After 6 weeks of pregnancy.
• Lactation period. If the cat has lambed, you need to wait until the pet feeds the kittens (about 8 weeks after the birth).

Indications and contraindications

There are always exceptions to general rules. In some cases, surgical intervention is permissible even if there are contraindications.

When should an animal not be sterilized?

It is prohibited to sterilize an animal that has not been vaccinated or previously treated against parasites. Other possible contraindications include:

• old age (more than 10 years);
• pathologies of the cardiovascular system and respiratory organs;
• acute viral infections and chronic lesions of the genitourinary system;
• estrus, pregnancy and the postpartum period, including lactation.

Neglecting the listed contraindications is permissible in case of a serious threat to life. If other methods to prevent dangerous complications do not help, the pet is sterilized.

When is surgery necessary?

Emergency surgery is rarely performed. It is prescribed when it is detected:

• abnormalities associated with pregnancy;
• malignant neoplasms in the reproductive organs and mammary glands;
• false pregnancy.

It happens that with incomplete removal of the ovaries, repeated estrus appears. To eliminate the consequences of unsuccessful sterilization, the animal is operated on again.

Alternative Sterilization Methods

Chemical sterilization

There is another method of solving the problem - chemical. The animal's ovaries are exposed to a certain radiation, after the procedure they cease to perform their functions. The cat's remaining organs remain safe and are covered with lead sheets.

Advantages of chemical sterilization:

• no scar remains on the body;
• the risk of developing infections and inflammations is reduced;
• relatively fast recovery period.

The main disadvantage of this method of sterilization is that the cost of chemical intervention is much higher than usual. An overdose of radiation threatens the death of the animal, but such an outcome is only possible in the event of a medical error.

Laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy is a type of surgical intervention in which a minimum number of incisions are made, no larger than 1 cm in size. Special tubes are equipped with special devices, a camera and a light source. Laparoscopy is considered a gentle method of organ removal. It is recommended for pets from 6 months to 15 years. Since the incisions are small, pain after surgery is minimal, it is easier to care for the sutures, and a postoperative blanket is not needed.

Find out more about laparoscopic sterilization of cats.

When is a Scottish cat neutered?

Veterinarians give clear advice at what age to castrate Scottish kittens - as soon as possible after birth, approximately 10-12 months. This is the optimal age for the operation, when the animal is considered sexually mature, hormones in the body have played a role in development, so there are no contraindications to castration of a Scottish fold cat. The main thing is that the cat is healthy and is examined by a veterinarian.

If a cat is neutered after the experience of mating with a cat, then he may retain the mating process, as well as intuitive memory and behavior.

A Scotsman can and should be castrated at any age, but preferably before the age of 5, when he does not have age-related diseases.

The cost of castration surgery varies depending on the region of the Russian Federation, as well as where it is performed. Calling a veterinarian to your home is convenient for the owner and the cat, but is complicated by special preparations for the site for surgical procedures.

Table No. 1 Approximate cost of castration of cats in different cities of the Russian Federation.

Why do they castrate?

Many people choose a Scottish fold or straight-eared kitten for the soul, because of their love for this breed of cat. Often, breeders themselves neuter pet-class kittens with slight deviations from the standard before sale. This is especially true for Scottish Folds, who are susceptible to genetic diseases due to improper mating.

Unsterilized cats, in the absence of mating, mark the space with stinking urine, during sexual behavior they loudly make terrible sounds and show aggression, which forces the owner to resort to castration surgery.

A conventional operation (orchiectomy), when the testicle in the scrotum needs to be removed, goes quickly. It only takes 15 minutes for the veterinarian to make one small incision, remove the testes, and return the pet to the owner.

Minor complications can arise when you need to castrate, and the kitten is diagnosed with cryptorchidism:

• the ovary-testis is not descended into the scrotum:
• the ovary-testis is located outside the scrotum;
• the ovary-testis is incorrectly located, under the skin in the groin or perineum.

In case of such deviations, the “cryptorchus” operation can be performed in the following ways:

The open method requires surgical intervention with an incision in the place where the ovary-testis is found:

1. A more gentle intervention using a puncture, through which the doctor performs all manipulations to remove the ovary and testis.
2. Scottish cats should not be fed 5 hours before the operation, because it is performed under anesthesia, and the animal may vomit.

Pet after castration

The entire postoperative period for both straight-eared and fold-eared kittens will last several days and pass without complications. The Scottish cat will need special care on the first day when he recovers from anesthesia:

• be sure to place a sanitary napkin under it; if it is weakened, it may not reach the tray;
• provide a warm place; after surgery, the cat’s internal heat exchange is disrupted;
• Do not place the cat in high places so that it does not fall;
• do not force him to eat, but place him next to a container of water.

After recovering from anesthesia, a well-rested pet will behave as usual. It is important to make sure that he does not lick the incision site. To do this, a postoperative collar is put on him. The wound is treated with an antiseptic for several days.

Postoperative care for animals

If the owner takes the animal home after the procedure, he must pay constant attention to it until recovery from anesthesia. The owner’s task is to provide proper conditions and careful care:

1. The bed should be placed on the floor, away from drafts and direct light. You should not put your cat on the sofa: after recovering from anesthesia, it will not immediately coordinate its movements, so it may fall and hit itself. The bedding will be a disposable diaper - under anesthesia the animal cannot control itself.
2. Body temperature in drug-induced sleep is usually lowered. To keep your cat from freezing, you need to cover it with something light and warm.
3. A cat’s eyes do not close during anesthetized sleep – this is normal. To prevent the cornea from drying out, you need to instill moisturizing eye drops every 10 minutes. You can help her “blink” - periodically closing her eyelids.
4. The cat will be disoriented for some time after regaining consciousness. You need to carefully monitor her so that she does not harm herself. This period does not last long.
5. Feeding is allowed only one day after surgery. Water can be given after 4 hours.

The next day, the cat is given painkillers and antibacterial injections. It is necessary to treat the seams daily with special sprays or hydrogen peroxide and ensure that suppuration does not occur. This task can be accomplished at home; there is no need to take the animal to the clinic.

The recovery period lasts up to 10 days, then the doctor will remove the stitches. During this time, care must be taken to ensure that the cat does not remove the bandage. Once it reaches the wound, it can lick it and infect it, which will delay the healing process.

After operations using modern equipment, special care for sutures is not required. A small incision or punctures are treated with special compounds that disinfect the wound and act as a bandage.

Where is it better to do it, in a clinic or at home?

The capabilities of modern veterinary medicine make it possible to carry out sterilization operations on domestic animals both in the clinic and on the road. There are even veterinary outpatient clinics on wheels - vehicles that are equipped with everything necessary to carry out technically complex operations.

The decision depends on the cat owner's ability to pay and preferences.

Only a veterinary clinic can provide the most favorable conditions for any surgical intervention. This is an ideal solution when emergency measures are required.

There are times when performing surgery at home is preferable. The table will help you compare the benefits and disadvantages of both options and make the right choice.

How to provide your cat with sexual peace without health problems

An alternative to the previous two options is to spay or neuter your Scottish cat. There are no differences in the above-mentioned operations for fold-eared and straight-eared cats.

Spaying or oophorectomy involves removing a cat's ovaries. Castration, otherwise known as ovariohysterectomy, is the removal of both the ovaries and uterus of an animal.

Today, the opinion has taken root that sterilization is an operation to remove the genital organs of a cat, and castration is an operation for cats. But that's not true. A cat can be both spayed and sterilized. Since sterilization cuts off the cat’s desire to mate, but does not prevent the risk of developing sexual diseases (inflammation, tumors or cancer), it is often preferred to perform cat castration operations.

Further in the article, for ease of perception, the castration procedure will be mentioned and described, which implies the removal of both the ovaries and the uterus, with the familiar name “sterilization”.

There is also an option that involves tubal ligation, but this is one of the most inhumane options, because the cat will show desire, but will not be able to give birth. The layering of hormones will lead to life-threatening diseases. The same applies to hormonal therapy: taking pills will only suppress the cat’s desire, but will not solve subsequent health issues.

Many believe that it is generally not worth making any interventions in the sexual life of cats, because it is inhumane. However, a counter question immediately arises: how humane is it to leave kittens born to a cat on the street or drown them in a lake? How humane is it to hear how an animal suffers several times a year when it comes into heat and do nothing about it? Cats' desire is so strong that sometimes they completely refuse food and even water and simply scream for several days! The pet will not be able to think about anything other than its impatience. And the consequence of such numerous phenomena will certainly be health problems, manifested at least by inflammation of the genital organs or mammary glands. But disturbances in the functioning of the reproductive system can be much worse and include tumors and even cancer of the mammary glands, uterus or ovaries!

▲ to contents

The life of a neutered Scottish cat

Neutered Scottish cats tend to exercise less, so care must be taken to ensure they do not become obese. To do this, you should feed them a special menu for castrati, and also encourage them to engage in physical activity. This is easy to do by buying interesting toys and starting a gaming complex.

Otherwise, it will be a pet without the problems of sexual hunting, kinder and less aggressive.

It is also important that sterilization prolongs life, eliminating the need to deplete the body with constant estrus and childbirth, and accumulate hormones, which sooner or later, as we have already written, lead to an explosion in the form of inflammation and cancer.

Let your cat be happy and healthy!