Pelushka Persians

SPAYING

Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus through an abdominal incision.

REASONS FOR SPAYING:

The primary reason for spaying is to prevent unwanted litters and eliminate sexual frustration. A female cat typically comes into heat - also known as estrus - three or more times a year. During that period, she may cry continuously, display nervous behaviour, and attract neighbourhood male cats. She may even try to get out of the house to find a mate. Repeated heats without mating can cause health problems such as Pyometra, a common condition in unspayed females several years old who have not been bred from. Pyometra progresses from irregular periods of heat, to depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive urination. Repeated breeding is also unhealthy because it produces nutritional deficiencies in the mother that can be passed on to her kittens.

Early spaying reduces the risk of malignant breast and cervical cancer and eliminates the possibility of ovarian and Uterine Tumours. Estrogens released during a cat's first heat are believed to contribute to future tumour growth, 90% of which are malignant.

WHEN TO SPAY:

Many vets disagree on the best time for spaying. Some believe that it should be carried out after the cat's first heat at six to eight months of age to ensure the development of a normal adult body shape and to have the least effect on the neuro-endocrine system. Whilst others think that spaying is most effective in preventing health problems if performed in the period before the cat’s first heat, from eight weeks of age to six months.

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE:

A spay is a safe and routine procedure. First, the cat is given a preoperative examination to ensure that she is healthy. She should not be fed for twelve hours prior to surgery. This prevents aspiration pneumonia from food in the stomach that could be vomited and passed into the breathing tubes and lungs. General anaesthetic is used, but the cat can be brought out of anaesthetic in a few minutes if there are any unforeseen complications. Many veterinarians have the same heart monitors used in hospital emergency rooms, along with emergency fluids and drugs. Postoperative complications are rare because sterilized instruments, drapes, caps, masks, and gowns are used. The size of the incision varies and has nothing to do with the skill of the veterinarian; some uteruses are simply larger than others. A spayed cat can be on her feet minutes after surgery and most cats return home the same day, depending on her age, size, and health. Recovery takes from five to fourteen days and she will need to return after a week to have the operation site checked.  The removal of sutures should not be necessary as it is now common practice to complete the operation with internal stitches. During the recovery period, exercise should be restricted and the incision area kept clean. Any swelling, discharge, or infection should be reported immediately to the veterinarian.

MYTHS ABOUT SPAYING:

Contrary to popular belief, spaying does not cause obesity and laziness; lack of exercise and overfeeding do that. Another myth is that a cat needs to have a litter for fulfilment. This is a romantic and totally false notion.

NEUTERING/CASTRATION:

Neutering, or castration, is the surgical removal of the testes.

REASONS FOR CASTRATION:

There are several reasons why a male cat is neutered (castrated). The main ones being it stops him marking his territory by spraying urine in the house and outside, it suppresses his desire to wander and fight and also his ‘breeding behaviours’.

Neutering also eliminates the chances of him developing Testicular Cancer and greatly reduces his chances of developing Prostate Infection.

Medically, the cat may only have one testicle descended into the scrotum; the other could be in the abdomen. If this is the case he should be castrated as the testicle in the abdomen could become a tumour. A tumour of this type can be life threatening if it spreads to other parts of the body.

WHEN TO CASTRATE:

The best time to neuter is before the above problems develop. As with spaying, there are differing opinions amongst vets as to when to Neuter. Some vets think that neutering should be delayed until after sexual maturity has been reached at the age of nine to ten months, because they believe that surgery earlier than this will have an adverse effect on bone, stature, and secondary sex traits. However, this attitude is changing, and neutering of kittens as early as eight weeks old is becoming more acceptable with many vets.

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE:

Neutering is carried out under general anaesthetic and is a simpler and faster procedure than spaying. The testicles are removed through a small incision in each scrotal sac. Preoperative and postoperative care is as described above under “Spaying.” Most cats can be sent home the same day and recovery is generally uneventful. However, it may take up to a month for the male behaviours to stop, particularly in an older male. This is because hormones in the body dissipate slowly. Although relatively rare, some males may have residual behaviour problems after this period.

MYTHS ABOUT CASTRATION:

A common myth about neutering is that it will change the cat's basic personality. In reality, he won't suffer any emotional reaction or identity crisis as a result of neutering. It will also make him less likely to bite. Another myth is that he'll become frustrated and miss sex. This is also an incorrect assumption. Cats have no concept of sexual identity or ego.