Pre-pubertal neutering

Question 1

What is “early neutering”?

Answer 1

• Prepubertal probably a much more helpful term
• Cats <4-6 months
• Dogs – more variable 6-12 months or even later in large/ giant breeds

Question 2

Compare benefits of neutering in cats and dogs?

Answer 2

Question 3

Compare Prepubertal versus conventional neutering?

Answer 3

• Delayed physeal closure (not shown to be associated with growth plate f#)
• No increased risk in FLUTD
• Potential for increased risk of osteosarcoma in Rottweilers/ joint disease and neoplasia in Golden Retrievers/ CCL disease in large breed dogs as it straightens their stifles
• Cats roam more when they have balls and they take more risks therefore have more increased risk of #s

Question 4

Practical aspects of prepubertal neutering (focus on the cat)?

Answer 4

• Males very straightforward
• Sometimes very tiny testicles are hard to grip and mobilise
• Cryptorchidism – testicles may be mobile up until puberty so put some pressure on inguinal region to bring them to surface
• If they are true cryptorchid wait till they are have reach puberty to ensure they are cryptorchid
• Anaesthesic considerations covered elsewhere

Question 5

What does a Kitten (8 weeks) repro tract look like?

Answer 5

Question 6

What does a Puppy (10 weeks) uterus look like?

Answer 6

Question 7

What does a “Normal” post pubertal cat spay look like?

Answer 7

(artefact piece of lead shot)

Question 8

What does a post pubertal bitch spay look like?

Answer 8

Normal bitch spay (lots of fat harder to identify the pedicles)

Question 9

Look at this Cat uterus approx. 4-5 weeks’ gestation?

Answer 9

Question 10

Look at this moderate pyometra?

Answer 10

Question 11

What is useful to do before neutering?

Answer 11

Empty bladder – makes visualisation easier, plus alpha-2 will cause diuresis

Question 12

Describe the different landmarks on the kitten?

Answer 12

Different landmarks if midline on a kitten

Landmarks more caudal if <12 weeks; go 2/3 of way back from umbilicus to pubic brim, as compared to halfway for > 12 weeks

Landmarks for flank spay just the same

Question 13

What are the benefits of pre-pubertal neutering?

Answer 13

Relatively avascular don’t need huge hole

Question 14

How to perform a prepubertal spay (40 min video great resource to watch) Link to this?

Answer 14

http://www.kind.cats.org.uk/