Feline Orchiectomy (Neuter)
Overview: Surgical removal of the testicles
At Camrose Animal Clinic our basic procedure is the following:
ü A thorough presurgical examination is performed, paying particular attention to heart rate, rhythm, lung sounds and overall body condition.
ü Presurgical blood tests may be performed to check the function of vital organs and the health of the cat. We recommend blood tests for all cats and may require them if your cat is older or has a known medical condition. This ensures that we can choose appropriate medications and anesthetics for your cat.
ü A presurgical injection is administered to sedate the cat, to reduce his anxiety, and to allow us to use less general anesthetic.
ü Intravenous (IV) fluids are recommended during and following surgery, to promote a faster recovery, prevent shock, and to allow us to give your cat medication injections painlessly. We recommend IV fluids for all cats and may require them if your cat is older or has a known medical condition.
ü Anesthesia is induced by inhalation through a mask. The patient is connected by the mask to the anesthetic machine, and the patient may also be connected to several monitors. The inhalant anesthetic we use is isoflurane, which is considered to be a very safe anesthetic. A pulse oximeter may be connected by a rectal probe which measures heart rate, pulse quality and blood oxygen saturation. An electrocardiograph can also be employed to monitor the patient’s heart rhythm.
ü The patient is positioned and the surgical site is plucked and scrubbed to make the area sterile.
ü The assistant continues to monitor the patient's vital signs throughout the anesthetic.
ü Two incisions are made on the scrotum.
ü The testicles are pushed out through the incisions one at a time.
ü The tissue is stripped from the testicle exposing the vasculature that provides blood to and from the testicle as well as the passageways for sperm.
ü The vasculature that connects the testicles to the body is tied and replaced into the body and the testicles are discarded.
ü There are no stitches used to close the scrotum because this would cause dramatic swelling and it heals better if left open.
ü The patient is given an antibiotic injection as a prophylactic measure against infection. He may also be given an injection for pain control, which is repeated as necessary.
Individual variations on this procedure may exist.
Please feel free to ask the veterinarian or veterinary assistant any questions you may have regarding the surgery.
The procedures described are basic procedures only, and are not intended to be comprehensive. Individual patient variation may exist.
How old does my cat have to be?
He must be at least 6-months-old.
I have an older cat. Can he still be neutered? Is it important to have him neutered?
Yes, he can still be neutered. Older unneutered cats may develop prostate or testicular problems, however, if these are discovered in time, they can be remedied by neutering him. The veterinarian would perform a presurgical examination on your cat and may require that blood work be done before the surgery. The veterinarian would develop an individualized anesthetic plan for your cat and he would be carefully monitored during and after anesthesia.
How long does the procedure take?
The entire anesthesia lasts approximately half an hour, however, because your cat is put under general anesthetic, he will need to stay at the clinic for the day. We ask that he be dropped off between 8am and 9am on the day of the surgery and he will be able to go home between 4pm and 5:30pm this same day.
What kind of care is required for my cat after surgery?
· Please mildly restrict his activity for 5 days while the incision is healing.
· Monitor the area for any redness, swelling, or discharge of any colour. Please call the clinic promptly if any of these are noted. Do not apply ointments of any kind to the incision.
· Do not bath him for 14 days after the surgery.
· Do not let him lick at the area, since this will delay healing. If he is licking, please come in and pick up a collar.
· There are no sutures (stitches) to be removed.
· He may have a regular meal when he gets home. Do not be alarmed if he does not eat the full amount the first night. If this continues, however, please give us a call.
Please call the clinic 672-7800 if you have any questions or to book an appointment.