Cat sterilization

At what age can a cat be sterilized

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

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

Indications and contraindications to sterilization

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

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

Do not sterilize if the cat has:

• age less than 6 months or older than 10 years;
• revealed CCC pathologies;
• estrus;
• pregnancy;
• inflammatory processes in the body and some other disorders.

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

How to prepare a cat for sterilization

Cat sterilization requires preliminary preparation. With the exception of clinical cases, the animal should be absolutely healthy. This is especially true for vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment.

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

Preparatory measures also include:

• laboratory tests of urine, blood;
• ultrasound examination of reproductive organs;
• cardiogram.

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

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

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

Cat sterilization procedure: methods and features

How cats are sterilized depends on the chosen method. There are three ways of performing the operation.

1. Classical method. It is a dissection of the skin on a pre-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 specialist access to the cat's organs. The disadvantage is the large length of the seam, which can provoke the penetration of infection and the development of bleeding.
2. Using a side incision. Dissection of the abdominal cavity is carried out sideways from the median line of the abdomen, while the length of the wound does not exceed 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 ligating the fallopian tubes. The advantage of the method is the rapid healing of a small incision, which reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
3. Laparoscopic sterilization of cats. It makes it possible to remove both the uterus and ovaries through a small puncture in the abdominal wall. The whole process takes place with the help of a special device, and the actions of the doctor are displayed on the monitor screen in real time. The method is characterized by minimal injury to animal tissues, a reduction in the recovery period and a low probability of complications. However, it is rarely used, since it assumes the availability of appropriate equipment in the clinic, the skills of a veterinarian, which ultimately adds up to a high cost of the procedure.

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

What kind of anesthesia is used to sterilize cats

Sterilization of both domestic cats and stray cats takes place under general anesthesia. Most often it is intravenous anesthesia, provided with Ketamine, Diprivan, Zoletil. But sometimes the removal of reproductive organs is carried out under endotracheal anesthesia. However, in front of him, the cat is still put to sleep with an intravenous remedy.

How to take care of 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 health of the pet.

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 the veterinarian. Depending on the condition of the pet before and after the intervention, she may be prescribed antibacterial drugs, anti-inflammatory or painkillers. In addition, the specialist will tell you when (and whether it is necessary) to come to remove stitches, how often to do bandages, which means are better to use in this case and other information. It is good if the veterinarian can give his phone number so that in case of a sharp deterioration in his condition, he can be contacted without delay.

Features of transporting an animal from the clinic

You need to take the cat home not on your hands, 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 diverge. It is advisable to cover the animal with a light blanket or a warm cloth, since as a result of the operation and anesthesia, the pet's body temperature becomes less than normal.

Where is it better to put a cat in an apartment

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

Be sure to make sure that the place reserved for the cat is not in a draft or near the heater. However, it will still be necessary to cover it, for this it is enough to take a light but dense fabric.

What to put on a cat after sterilization

The cat's stomach after sterilization 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 braid 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.

The blanket for cats should be washed, ironed, and then put on again. Such clothes are removed only for the treatment of an operating wound. In order for the pet not to be able to take it off, threads or loose ends of ties should not stick out on the blanket. The product is selected only according to individual sizes, since the animal will easily remove a wide blanket, and a narrow one will disrupt blood flow.

Some owners sew similar bandages themselves. Sometimes tights or socks are used as an improvised means, having previously cut holes. Whether the cat will wear such a blanket is unknown. Judging by the stories of the owners on the web, many animals arrange concerts or behave aggressively, even without completely coming out of 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 behavior of a cat after surgery due to anesthesia becomes inadequate and unpredictable. During the first 1-2 days, the animal should not be left alone for a long time. The exit from the narcotic state is accompanied by complete disorientation in space, staggering, shaking of limbs, screams, meowing, aggression and other manifestations.

The duration of the cat's recovery from anesthesia can range from 5-6 hours to a day or more. But the pet begins to recover, as a rule, 2-4 hours after the operation. It is not necessary to give her at this time to drink, and even more so to eat. It is allowed to moisten the oral cavity with water from a spoon or syringe.

How to feed a cat after sterilization

It is forbidden to feed the cat within 24 hours after sterilization. This is due to the risk of a gag reflex (due to anesthesia) and reduced 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, ground and mixed with meat broth, porridge on water can be introduced into the animal's diet approximately on the second day. You will need to follow a liquid diet before removing the seam.

If the 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 her liquid food or water with a syringe end in failure. To recover, she must 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 the operation, then you should not worry. Due to preoperative starvation and dehydration, she simply has nothing to empty her intestines with. Among other reasons for this phenomenon can be identified:

• stress from surgery;
• the effect of anesthesia or drugs;
• hinders the blanket;
• the seam hurts.

Lack of emptying with normal appetite may indicate constipation. In this case, laxatives and a liquid diet will help. If the cat has problems with the toilet for more than 3 days after sterilization, you need to urgently contact a veterinarian.

What complications occur after cat sterilization

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

Among other possible complications after cat sterilization, one can note:

• allergy to pharmaceuticals;
• deterioration 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, her state of health at the time of the procedure, postoperative care, and so on.

Features of sterilization of cats in different conditions of the body

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 should know in which cases it is permissible and what it threatens.

During estrus

Removal of reproductive organs during this period is not recommended, since a sharp change in the hormonal background of the cat's body will negatively affect its further health. The recovery period will also take longer and harder; the risk of postoperative complications increases.

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

During pregnancy

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

• abnormal fetal development;
• cat disease caused by pregnancy, threatening her life;
• the animal is unable to bear kittens due to health condition or age.

After giving birth

Sterilization of cats after childbirth should take place in accordance with certain rules:

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

The most appropriate time to sterilize an animal after lambing is 60 days. During this period, the hormonal background will normalize, the uterus will acquire normal dimensions, blood circulation in the pelvis will be restored.

Indications for emergency sterilization immediately after childbirth may be the following situations:

• rupture of the uterus during the birth of kittens;
• neoplasms of reproductive organs detected during gestation;
• anomalies, placental damage;
• the presence or threat of severe postpartum bleeding.

While feeding kittens

Just as in the previous case, sterilization of a nursing cat is done only for certain indications. In addition to the above, it is allowed to perform 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 will be able to get pregnant even during feeding. Such situations are a common reason that the owners cannot "catch" the necessary period of time to sterilize the reveller.

Cost of cat sterilization

The price of cat sterilization is influenced by several factors:

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

On average, it costs from 1200 to 5000 rubles to sterilize a cat.

Is it possible to sterilize a cat for free

Sterilization of cats does not apply to mandatory, socially necessary veterinary services. However, in many cities, promotions are periodically held, according to which stray cats can be sterilized for free. In addition, in some clinics, for certain reasons (recently opened, the staff does not have enough experience, as an advertisement), prices for this service are reduced to 400-500 rubles.

Is it possible to sterilize a cat at home

Cat sterilization can take place 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 arrange the date in advance with the veterinarian for an additional fee.

Sterilization of a cat at home has advantages: the animal does not need to be taken to the clinic and back, besides, the risk of "catching" an infection is reduced. The negative point is that if a difficult situation occurs during the postoperative period, the veterinarian will not be able to be nearby for resuscitation.

Sterilization of a cat, although it is an operative intervention in the animal's body, is a more humane attitude towards it than drowning or throwing 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 the pet and save her and yourself from torment.