Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital
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Feline Orchiectomy (Neuter) Surgery
Considering neuter surgery for your male cat? This comprehensive guide walks you through everything from health benefits and safety protocols to what happens on surgery day at Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital. Learn how this common procedure not only prevents unwanted behaviors but also contributes to your cat’s long-term wellbeing.
Topics Covered
A feline orchiectomy is commenly referred to as a neuter surgery. This is a day procedure done under heavy sedation where the testicles are removed, and is one of the most significant aspects of male cat care than an owner can provide. Neutering is typically recommended between 6 – 12 months of age.
Benefits
Prevents Prostate Complications:
As a cat ages, his prostate gland enlarges due to the presence of testosterone in the testicles. Enlargement of this gland may cause discomfort and interefere with defecation. The presence of testosterone also predisposes the prostate to infection. Therefore, neutering your cat shrinks the prostate gland and reduces the risk of prostatic complications.
Other Heath Benefits:
Neutering reduces the risk of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Neutering also causes a drastic reduction of urine odour.
Prevents Unwanted Behaviours:
When an animal is intact, unwanted behaviours often arise as they reach maturity such as: aggression, urine marking, sexual behaviour (mounting) and wandering. Furthermore, the reduction in aggression and roaming helps a make cat reduce his risk of FIV infection, bite wounds/abcesses, vechicular trauma, and other outdoor-related situations.
Limits Over-population:
Over-population amongst pets is an ongoing societial problem. Neutering your cat will not allow him to have kittens, which in turn can help overcrowding in shelters so more pets can find their forever homes.
Risks
Requirements
• A nose to tail physical examination completed at YSAH within the past 12 months.
• Up to date rabies vaccination. If not completed at YSAH, proof of vaccination must be provided.
• Completed bloodwork (within the past 3 months).
Treatment Plan
Surgical Safety Bloodwork:
Surgical bloodwork is a requirement of surgery and is used to evaluate the patient’s kidney and liver function as well as hydration status. We perform blood work along with a physcial exam to ensure anesthesia is as safe as possible. Bloodwork appointments are done with an RVT at least 2-3 weeks in advance of the surgical date. During this appointment, the pet’s blood is taken and they are re-assessed for any hernias, retained deciduous teeth, and problematic dew claws. Once we’ve received the results, a team member will be in touch to let you know if it is safe for your pet to proceed with surgery.
Fasting Instructions:
You will need to fast your pet for 12 hours prior to the surgical procedure. This means nothing to eat after 9pm (including treats) and no breakfast or treats the morning of the procedure. Your pet can have access to water until 6am the morning of the procedure. Fasting is a necessary safety precaution to prevent harmful regurgitation during anesthesia.
Surgical Intake:
Our client care team will schedule a 15-minute surgical intake appointment with the surgical RVT on the morning of the procedure between 8:30-9am. Please bring your fasted pet to Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital at your schedueled appoinment time. During this appointment, the RVT will provide a surgical consent form to be signed, review the care plan and address any concerns.
Day of Procedure:
Before any surgical procedure, your pet’s safety is our top priority. It all begins with a thorough pre-surgical examination, where our veterinarian listens to your pet’s heart and lungs and records their vital signs to ensure they are ready for anesthesia. Once cleared, your pet receives a sedative to help them relax and stay pain-free. We then place an intravenous (IV) catheter to safely administer medications and provide instant access in the rare case of an emergency. The anesthesia begins, and your pet will be comfortably asleep under the close, one-on-one monitoring of a Registered Veterinary Technician throughout the entire surgery. To support their recovery, we administer fluids to maintain hydration and provide additional pain medication as they wake up. The procedure complete, we’ll call you with an update on how everything went and schedule a time for you to pick up your pet, who is typically ready to head home by the late afternoon.
Follow up After the Procedure:
One of our team members will be in contact with you within a few days after your pet’s surgery to see how things are going at home. A complimentary recheck appointment is also provided 10-14 days after the procedure to ensure the surgical site has healed well.
Other Things to Consider:
Microchipping:
This is an additional service that may be provided the day of the procedure. A microchip is a small implant that is inserted underneath the skin between the shoulder blades. A microchip is a permanent form of identification which is the best way a lost pet may be traced back to the registered owner. A microchip is often also a requirement of international travel.
Post Operative Laser Therapy:
Laser therapy is a procedure by which a trained RVT applied a specialized infared laser over the surgical area. Laser therapy improves tissue oxygenation, bringing more oxygen-rich blood into the tissues thereby exposing afflicted cells to vital nutrients. The oxygen and nutrients brought to the incision site improves healing speed, minimizes scarring, and strengthens the surrounding tissue.
Please Note:
The cost of an estimate can change based on the physical exam findings of a patient. Findings that may change cost of an estimate include the presence of loose dewclaws, umbilical hernias, retained deciduous (baby) teeth, or retained testicles due to the increased surgical time and/or treatment required. Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital will provide you with an up-to-date estimate which will be reviewed prior to and the day of the procedure.
Neutering is one of the most responsible decisions you can make for your male cat’s health and happiness. At Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital, our team is committed to providing safe, compassionate care tailored to your feline companion’s needs. Have questions or ready to schedule your cat’s pre-surgical blood work? Contact us today – we’re here to help you every step of the way.
– The Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital Team 🐾💚