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Which Neutering Method is Best?

  
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The Cat

Rrrrraaarrrrr!!!
 
 
Purred: Thu Nov 5, '09 7:43am PST
The time has come for Cat to have THE operation. Here in Taiwan, the form of neutering that leaves all of his bits intact, (a feline vasectomy?) seems to be prevalent method of neutering. But I'm not sure that is the best way to go with Cat.

Since he wasn't properly socialized with other cats as a kitten, aggression is definitely an issue with him. If he still has his boy bits in there, won't they still be producing the hormones that make him want to behave like a macho tom-cat? He's an only kitty living 100% indoors, preventing him from making babies is the least of my worries.

I'm having trouble finding any information on the pros and cons of a vasectomy vs. full on castration, other than the obvious fact that the vasectomy would be less invasive and traumatic. Do both have the same effect on behavior?
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Hobert von- Kingston III

Sherriff Hobie- does not- approve!
 
 
Purred: Thu Nov 5, '09 6:37pm PST
Yes, you need a full castration to take away the hormones. If you're concerned, I'd request it. Think about human males, if a vasectomy took away their testosterone, a heck of a lot more would protest having it done!
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The Cat

Rrrrraaarrrrr!!!
 
 
Purred: Thu Nov 5, '09 8:11pm PST
Thanks, that's what I thought was logical, but I just wasn't sure. I'll have to insist on the full procedure when I schedule the appointment. Cat will be so thrilled, I'm sure. wink
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Gracie

I'm the baby,- gotta love me!
 
 
Purred: Thu Nov 5, '09 8:16pm PST
If the vet is concerned about his boy bits not looking intact, you could always tell him to put some neuticles in there.

Sorry, old joke about something that is sometimes done to dogs of vain owners of the male persuasion.
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Sassy

Gorgeous- Armageddon
 
 
Purred: Thu Nov 5, '09 10:32pm PST
In Britain and the US where I've lived full castration is the normal method as it gets rid of all the testosterone and the urge to stray and fight. I volunteer at the local SPCA and they fix all the male cats with the full castration and they recover very quickly so Cat should forgive you.

Cat is probably young enough so that he hasn't hit puberty yet but if he has one thing to know is that it will take a couple of months for the testosterone levels in his blood to go away. So you wouldn't see a sudden change in his behaviour but he'd gradually become more mellow.
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BooBoo

the black dot at- the center of it- all
 
 
Purred: Fri Nov 6, '09 12:54am PST
And another thing--he's much more likely to spray if he only had the vasectomy; ewwww. Why do they use that form of neutering there I wonder? Is it a very macho society where people think there boy animals should still get to have 'fun' but not make kittens? Or are people it will make their cats 'unmasculine' or something?
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Ben

I fetch,- therefore I am.

moderator
 
 
Purred: Fri Nov 6, '09 2:08am PST
I've never really heard of vets leaving the testes and just doing a vasectomy in male cats. thinking

Usually, neutering male cats is not just about preventing unwanted litters, but preventing territorial spraying, roaming, aggression/fighting, and increased risk of acquiring/spreading of diseases. The only thing which is helpful in preventing all of these is full castration, since it's testosterone which drives many of these risk factors and behaviors.

The most common means of neutering here involves removing the testes through a small incision, but leaving the scrotum intact. That takes care of both the reproductive capability and the testosterone.
way to go

Soda

Be Smart, Spay &- Neuter!
 
 
Purred: Fri Nov 6, '09 4:15pm PST
Hi The Cat!
The 'full on castration', as you put it, is all they do in the UK and it's no still no big deal! They'd have to have an anesthetic, just the same as they would with the vasectomy and it probably only involves a tiny bit more snipping and tying! I really cannot understand the logic behind a feline vasectomyshrugthinkingsmile
The Cat probably won't even notice anything's missing at all and it will be SO much better in terms of his general health and wellbeing!
Go0d luck!
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Louis- Armstrong

I'm walkin' to- New Orleans.....
 
 
Purred: Sat Nov 7, '09 5:05am PST
We agree, the FULL surgery is the best....in fact, meowmy was confused when she read the title of the Forum. She was not aware that anything other than full surgery was done....we live in the U.S.

Boy cats recover from this surgery quickly and he will mellow out. Good for you to check into this and then do the full surgery.
And Gracie, we had to laugh at your comment about neuticles....the first time meowmy heard about those (the vet told her about putting a pair on a big dog for his owner) she laughed and laughed. And the surgery cost $800!!!

Purrs,
The New Orleans Kitties

Edited by author Sat Nov 7, '09 5:07am PST

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Bam Bam

1053356
 
 
Purred: Sat Nov 7, '09 3:39pm PST
Wait I'm confused... Bam Bam and Gomez just got neutered and it looks like he still has balls, but they look smaller & empty lol. Did the vet just do a vasectomy on him and not a castration???? I didn't know there was two dfferent ways to neuter...
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