- why neuter your cat?   Neutering your pet may add years to his life and prevent heartache in yours. Altered pets are often less likely to get out of the yard, spray in the house, get into fights, and the occurrence of medical diseases such as prostate cancer, cysts, prostate hypertrophy, and other reproductive linked diseases are almost totally diminished with early neutering. It is often thought that "if I have my pet neutered, he will become a whimp and not be the same." This is only a partial truth. Your pet will not have the sexual drive which leads to misbehavior so he will not be the same in this aspect, but he still is able to function as a watch dog or cat, now with more dedication to his job without wanting to find a girlfriend.

Neutering at 8-10 months of age is not only easy for you the pet owner, but also carries fewer complications than at an older age. At 8-10 months your pet should have been immunized sufficiently enough to prevent nosocomial infections (ones caught from other animals while in the hospital). Their urethras have had time to develop with the benefit of testosterone, and at this age he is less likely to have complications with anesthesia and the healing time will be faster.

A major problem today in the pet industry is the destruction of unwanted pets due to overpopulation. Having your pet neutered is doing your part in the prevention of these unnecessary and unwanted strays. Also pet overpopulation is the major source for the perpetuation of diseases such as Distemper, Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Because these unwanted strays never receive adequate immunizations they harbor and spread disease to the rest of the pet population, and your animal.

     - about the neutering procedure.   This is a simple, routine surgical procedure. The testicles are removed through two incisions in the scrotum and the cord to which they are attached is tied. Unlike dogs, no sutures ate used to close the incisions. A germicidal spray is commonly sprayed over the surgical area post-operatively. Your cat will generally remove this through normal grooming. Although a routine procedure, please keep the following in mind:

1. Expect some sleepiness/depression the night he goes home. Allow him to rest comfortable.
2. You may allow him a small amount of water in the early evening and later, a small amount of food. Appetite and attitude should return to normal in a day or two.
3. Check for swelling or drainage of any type from the incisions by checking under the tail daily for 4-7 days. Call as soon as possible if any problems or questions arise.

     - neuter followup:  Your pet has undergone a routine surgery. Although routine, please keep the following in mind:

1. Expect the cat to be sore for about l-2 weeks.
2. Please use shredded newspaper, styrofoam peanuts, or "Yesterday's News" (preformed paper pellets) in place of clay litter for the next 7-10 days
3. Check scrotum daily for swelling, discharge or open incisions. Call as soon as possible if any problems or questions arise.