Cat Neutering

 What is Neutering? 

Neutering or castration is the term applied to the procedure of removing the male sex glands – the testes.

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia and the testes are removed through two small incisions in the scrotum.

Recovery is rapid and healing is usually prompt.  There are no sutures to remove.

Why should I neuter my cat?

When castration is performed just before sexual maturity (at five to eight months of age) it reduces the sex instinct. This reduces the fighting and night prowling so common in the entire male cat. The objectionable odour of the mature male cat due to smelly male urine is also eliminated.

Castration of sexually mature cats tends to stop or reduce fighting with other male cats, but established patterns of night prowling may continue.

Cats are night hunters by nature, and while castration stops the competition for females and reduces territorial behaviour, it will not diminish the cat's natural tendency to hunt. Castration will also not stop a cat from defending himself when attacked on his home territory.

Most importantly, castration will help to control the cat population. There are already too many unwanted pets in New Zealand.

What to do Before Surgery

Your cat should not be offered any food after 8:00pm the night before. Any food after this time will increase the danger of vomiting during anaesthesia. Leave the water bowl out so your cat can have a drink.

Bring your cat into the clinic between 7:30am and 9:00am on the surgery day.  If this is not possible you can arrange to board him at the clinic the night before.  Pick-up is the same day, between 2.30pm and 6.30pm.