Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
When Should You Neuter?
The general recommendation for neutering a cat is at six months of age.
This is before an average cat reaches puberty. Many humane groups and
breeders will neuter kittens, if they have two testicles in their scrotums, at
eight weeks of age, to ensure that the cats never mate.This early-age neu-
tering is considered safe, and it does not cause problems later on in life.
Most veterinarians neuter cats as an outpatient procedure:The ani-
mal will come in the morning, have surgery and then go home the
same evening. Neutering is a surgical procedure usually performed
under injectable anesthesia and does not require stitches. There is little
aftercare, and a post-surgical visit is not needed.
Cats With Only One Testicle
All male cats have two testicles, so if they are not in the scrotum, they
are somewhere else. During normal development, the testicles move
from inside the abdominal cavity to outside into the scrotum.When this
does not occur, the testicles are considered retained. Most male kittens
are born with testicles in their scrotums. If testicles are still retained at
eight months of age, it is unlikely they are going to descend.
Cryptorchid
is the term used to describe a cat with only one testicle
present in the scrotum.The term
monorchid
may also be used. If a male
cat has neither testicle in the scrotum, he is called a
bilateral cryptorchid
.
Retained testicles still produce testosterone, but cryptorchid cats are
less fertile than normal cats. Because testosterone is present, these ani-
mals should definitely be neutered. Cryptorchidism is heritable, and
animals with this trait should not be bred.
The surgical procedure for a cryptorchid cat is similar to a spay
(described in the next section). The retained testicle is either going to
be in the abdominal cavity or somewhere along the path through
which it would normally descend, such as the inguinal canal.This pro-
cedure costs more than an uncomplicated neuter, because the surgery
needed to find the testicle takes longer and is more complex.
PREVENT UNWANTED PREGNANCY
Cats are very efficient at reproducing, and once a female feline has reached
puberty, she is sexually mature and can reproduce. Female cats usually
reach puberty around six months of age, but during the spring mating
season and in multicat households, puberty occasionally comes earlier.
