Neutering cats
Neutering of pet cats is strongly recommended. Male cats that are left un-neutered are liable to roam, fight, spray urine and develop a strong, unpleasant smell. Female cats will come into season every 3 weeks which will result in pregnancy if they go outdoors, and antisocial calling for a mate if they are kept indoors! For both male and female cats, neutering is carried out under general anaesthetic. Cats are dropped off at the surgery in the morning and will receive a full health check from a veterinary surgeon to check that they are fit and healthy. An injectable pre-medication medicine is given to make the cat drowsy, and an intravenous cannula is inserted into the vein of a front leg. Through this cannula, the general anaesthetic is given, the operation site is shaved and cleaned with antiseptic, and the operation is performed. Cats are wrapped in warm blankets and monitored closely as they recover from the anaesthetic. After an hour or so they are offered a meal and will go home later the same day.
Male cats do not have any stitches so do not need to come back to the surgery for a check-up after their surgery. Female cats will have 2 or 3 stitches on the left flank so will need to wear a plastic collar for 10 days to prevent interference with the wound, and will return to the hospital for the stitches to be removed 10-14 days after the operation. It is a great idea to ask the veterinary team to implant a microchip in your cat while they are under anaesthetic for neutering. The cat will not feel a thing, and the microchip will be there for life, enabling your cat to be reunited with you if they ever become lost in the future. 53
