Blk 1002, Toa Payoh Lor 8, 01-1477, Singapore 319074.  Tel: +65 6254-3326, 9668-6468, judy@toapayohvets.com, 99pups@gmail.com
Focus: Small animals -dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, pet rats and mice, birds and turtles      
November 22, 2020 

 

22 November, 2020
 

WHAT TO EXPECT. 
The veterinarian removes the two testicles of the male cat, rabbit, hamster or guinea pig. This surgical procedure is called neutering or castration.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE. 
Make appointment 6254-3326, 9668-6469 for surgery.  The pet must be healthy and not obese (if possible).  He is active and has an excellent appetite.  Cats should have their last vaccination less than 12 months ago.  Bathe the pet the night before and wash his private parts and lower abdomen thoroughly. Make sure your pet has no skin disease or fleas and lice. Bring the pet to the surgery at 9 a.m after making an appointment. 

FOR RABBITS, GUINEA PIGS & HAMSTERS. The rabbit or hamster must be clean in its belly area too.  There is no need to starve the rabbit, guinea pig or hamster for 12 hours before surgery.

FOR CATS & DOGS.  Don't give food and water after 8 p.m the day before the surgery and in the morning of the surgery date. Make sure the cat has passed motion and urine.  He has no ticks or skin diseases. Bring the cat into the surgery at around 9 a.m. after making the appointment the day before.

WHAT TO DO DURING. 
The pet is given a tranquiliser and a general anaesthesia using isoflurane gas. The skin in the midline, above the scrotum is incised. The testicles are removed from the scrotum or under the skin (if undescended). Antibiotic powder is sprinkled on the wound. An Elizabeth collar may be provided if necessary.   

WHAT TO DO AFTER. 
FOR CATS.  The owner takes the cat home at around 5 p.m. Make sure that the cat does not jump and run around for the next 7 - 14 days. Check the wound daily for signs of itchiness or infection. Give pain-killers and antibiotics if prescribed.

Consult the vet promptly if the cat is not eating or active or he keeps licking the wound from day 3. The phone number is 9668-6469.

FOR CATS, RABBITS AND HAMSTERS.  There are no stitches. Make sure the pet is kept in a clean environment for the next 14 days. Change litter or newspapers frequently for at least 14 days. 
Tel 9668 6469 if you have any problems after surgery.   

Cats and rabbits are given injectable anaesthetics for neutering and spay, unlike the dog.

In the rabbit, an antidote injection is given to the rabbit so that he or she can wake up faster. They usually wake up in less than 10 minutes after surgery.

Cats do not need antidote injections. They usually wake up within 10 minutes after surgery.

ANAESTHETIC TIP FOR VETS
Isoflurane gas at 5% given for less than 60 seconds is extremely effective when given by mask as a top up, if the cat reacts in pain during surgery after getting xylazine/ketamine IM combination anaesthesia.

Giant Rabbit & Guinea Pig Neuter Anaesthesia

1. Neutering a 2-month-old hamster at Toa Payoh Vets

2.  Rabbit Neuter 

3.  Neutering a  caterwauling male cat

4.  Neuter tips for a large canine breed

5. Sterilisation of dogs & testicular tumours

When do you remove the dressing or stitches after spay/neuter?

Post-operation complication - self-inflicted traumatic injury after neuter

Neuter dog - 2 post-operation complications - pain, bleeding  

Male cats rarely have post-neuter complications

STRAY CATS SPAYED AND NEUTERED
Pain-killer tranquiliser & general anaesthesia using gas are used at Toa Payoh Vets. Although NEUTER can be done at short notice, it is best for the cat, if the owner will starve it for 24 hours, make sure it passes urine and stools before surgery and washes its private parts before going to the surgery. In the cat, there is no stitching of the wound after NEUTER. It is important that the NEUTER area be kept very clean. 

I find that it is best to let the patient rest for at least 24 to 48 hours before going home, so that its body recovers from the stress and pain of surgery and to minimise the licking of the wound. However, many Singaporeans want to bring back the pet immediately after the operation. We don't encourage this as the patient needs to stabilised in being back to normal health before going home in the evening.   
 

Toa Payoh Vets