Prepubertal Gonadectomy with Treatment of Vessels Using Electric Scalpel as Stray Cat Control

Abstract

Prepubertal gonadectomy in which the vessels were treated using an electric scalpel was performed in 131 kittens (male 66, female 65) aged from one to four months. Testicular, uterine, and ovarian vessels were treated by electric coagulation during surgery. No side effect was seen in intra- and post-operations. A questionnaire was submitted to owners of 32 cats aged more than six months after the surgery. All owners were satisfied with the surgery. It was found that the number of captured stray cats declined in comparison with data from the regional public health center. In conclusion, prepubertal gonadectomy was found to be safe with matu-rity in cats and may help decrease the number of stray cats.