A cat neuter, also known as castration, is the surgical removal of the male testicles. At Grant Animal Clinic, the cat neuter procedure is performed as what is called an “open castration,” where the testicles, blood vessels, and spermaticord are separated and tied on one another. This version of the cat neuter accounts little to no necessity for suture and ease of and tying off the major blood vessels (testicular artery and vein).
The small neuter incision is made over the scrotum, the fold of loose skin that normally houses the testicles but just in front. The veterinary surgeon gently pushes each testicle through the small incision and exteriorizes it one at a time through one small incision. Prior to removing the testicle, the major blood vessels are tied on one another to prevent bleeding.
Prior to making a surgical approach for a neuter, the surgical site should be aseptically prepped by clipping away all hair and performing a proper surgical scrub of the region surrounding the approach. The veterinary surgeon performing the neuter should be wearing a surgical cap and mask, have his/her hands surgically scrubbed, and be outfitted in a sterile surgical gown and wearing sterile surgical gloves. The surgical site should then be isolated with sterile surgical drapes to maintain a sterile surgical field in which to work. Not following these protocols can predispose the patient to potentially serious post-operative infection.
Finally, one of the most potentially risky aspects of any surgical procedure is the anesthesia. Proper anesthetic protocols, state of the art monitoring equipment, and effective and safe pre and post operative pain medication are all essential components to smooth and safe anesthesia and patient comfort Please see this article on how Grant Animal Clinic employs best practices in Cat Anesthesia for more detailed aspects of safe administration of anesthesia.
Clearly, there are many moving parts to the feline neuter procedure, thus, it should never be referred to as “just a neuter.” Always bear in mind that a cat neuter is a surgery that involves the tying off of major blood vessels and should be treated with the utmost seriousness and care.