All about sterilization in cats

The procedure to sterilize cats is suggested for both female and male cats, mainly to prevent heat cycles, unplanned litters, pregnancies, and other less pleasant situations related to this.

There is also a crucial medical reason for choosing this surgery. Sterilizing cats, particularly when done at a young age, helps avoid health issues related to reproduction. These problems can include uterine infections (piometrium), tumors in the ovaries and uterus, fibroids in the uterus, breast tumors, prostate enlargement (cystic or cancer), testicular cancer, and more.

Many pet owners hesitate to sterilize their pets due to worries about weight gain after the procedure. It is known that this weight gain is limited if the procedure is done early (before reaching 1 year of age). It is also an issue that can be easily managed. All that is needed is to provide the pet with a regulated diet.

What are the side effects of sterilization in cats

The side effects of sterilization are very few and uncommon. They happen because when the ovaries are removed, the body loses the effects of estrogen hormones and testosterone after the removal of the testicles, which play other roles in addition to their sexual function. Metabolically, they help increase fat burning, cause blood vessel expansion, and enhance muscle activity. Weight gain is the most common side effect of sterilization. As mentioned, this is an issue that can be prevented or reversed. Another rare side effect that may occur is urinary incontinence in female cats, which happens due to loss of bladder sphincter control. This can lead to accidental urine loss while sleeping when the body is relaxed.

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There are cases where a sterilized animal may occasionally show signs of being in heat. There are other sources of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone produced in the body. In some pets, this hormone production can increase slightly after sterilization, causing these heat episodes to sometimes happen.

When to suggest sterilization in cats

If a cat is already in heat, sterilization can be done 7-10 days after noticing the signs of being in heat. Hormonal medications used to prevent heat cycles are completely discouraged as they can lead to pregnancy if there’s mating. These medications can disrupt the natural hormones in the body and alter their balance. As a result, serious side effects may occur, such as either sterile or infected uterine infections, breast gland hyperplasia, pregnancies, or false pregnancies.
In female cats, it is best to do sterilization when they are 5-6 months old, before they go into heat, as this can lower the chances of breast cancer by up to 80%. For male cats, it is recommended to wait until they are 12-18 months old so that the muscles around the urethra and skeleton are fully developed. As a breed, they are susceptible to urinary stones and if the urethra and ureters are not fully developed, it can lead to a higher risk of urinary blockages.

Preparation of the patient for sterilization: medical supervision and tests

Sterilizing a cat is a common surgery. It involves making an incision in the abdomen for females and a cut on the skin near the testicles for males. Regardless of the sex, this surgery is done using general anesthesia.

To ensure the safety of the procedure, each pet is evaluated before the surgery to check the functionality of their organs and overall health. This evaluation involves several different tests that can range from simple to more complex, depending on the individual needs of the pet and the veterinarian’s advice. It starts with a series of blood tests, including a complete blood count to spot any changes in blood and biochemical markers to assess organ health and electrolyte levels. Blood tests are also important to determine the best anesthesia option. If the results are not normal, the veterinarian may suggest further tests such as abdominal ultrasounds, ECGs, and X-rays.

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It is important to understand that completing these tests does not ensure that complications will not arise during anesthesia or surgery. They simply help decrease the risk and can reveal hidden issues that the patient may have without showing visible signs.

Surgical procedure in the female

The surgical procedure for sterilization to cat women involves the incision of the abdominal wall to allow access inside. After exposing the organs inside the abdomen, the uterine body and the two ovaries are isolated. There are different variants of the procedure itself

• Ovariectomy – which involves the application of suture points above and under the ovary for the hemostasis and excision of the ovary
• The ovariohysterectomy-Instead that place bindings over the ovaries for their detachment, positioning hemostatic ligaments at the level of ligaments that support the uterus and another binding at the level of the cervix in which the second excision is practiced, thus allowing the complete isolation of the entire genital route to the ovisto.

Fabric

After finishing the surgery, the closing of the belly’s muscles is done. This is completed with a type of stitch called Resorbable. These threads will be absorbed by the body in a few months. Occasionally, if the patient has another abdominal surgery, some stitch threads that haven’t been absorbed can still be seen years later. However, these threads do not cause any issues, they don’t trigger rejection reactions, and they are safe.

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Various kinds of stitches can be used on the skin. Both with non-absorbable threads or surgical staples, these stitches are taken out within 7-10 days of being put in, and are also made with resorbable threads that are placed just under the skin and absorbed in a few weeks. The intradermal stitches are just as strong as traditional ones as long as the animal does not lick and does not try to remove them with its tongue.

The surgical procedure for the male

The surgery for males is easier. This involves making a cut in the middle of the scrotum, pulling out the two testicles through this cut, tying off the blood vessels in the testicular cords, and removing the two glands. There is no need for stitches, as the surgical area heals itself in a few days if the patient does not lick the area.

Recovery period for cats sterilization

After the surgery, your pet will be closely watched until the anesthesia wears off. In cases of quickly reversible anesthesia (known as «antidote anesthesia»), this happens quite fast. However, this type of anesthesia is not recommended for these procedures since it can also remove the pain relief provided by their specific medications.

It is possible that within the first 24 hours after surgery, the pet may have 1-3 episodes of vomiting, especially if the surgery was done without a complete fasting period of at least 12 hours. The pet will be given medication including pain relievers and antibiotics. If necessary, the vet will determine if further treatment is needed in the next few hours after the operation. Generally, the pet will regain appetite, normal behavior, and habits within 48-72 hours post-surgery. Naturally, males recover faster than females since their surgery is less invasive as it occurs outside of the abdomen.

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We suggest that the pet wears a collar or a protective shirt for 7-10 days after the surgery. This is essential to stop access to the surgical site and to prevent complications or even the wound from opening.

Have you sterilized your pet? What do you think of sterilization in cats?