I remember so well one customer holding her selection of a beautiful red-point boy, staring at me with wide eyes saying, "I would never do that!" I explained the risks associated, the negative behavior that her sweet fuzzy kitten would exhibit in several months if not neutered. She didn't realize, or had not thought of the consequences before and was then happy to sign our contract that states she will have her kitty "fixed". (Here at the Chit-Chat Cattery we won't allow any one buying one of our babies to leave us with out signing our contract stating that the kitten will be spayed or neutered at the appropriate age. We also will not release the registration papers until we have proof from their veterinarian that the surgery has been performed.)

As with this previous customer of ours, if you have never owned a cat before, or maybe you've only "inherited" or adopted cats that were already fixed, this may not be something you have ever considered. It may seem like a cruel thing to do to some precious little soul you have decided to give your life to. However the reality is -though we have domesticated these creatures; they were not created to live indoors with man (although I swear my kitties were created just for me). Though they most certainly have adjusted (and adjusted extremely well) to living with us, their drive for sexual reproduction is as strong as ever. If you have your cat living with you as a pet and have not had the education or training or made the necessary preparations you will not be pleased with the "unaltered" pet. Sadly your pet won't be very happy either as his body will be constantly driving for something that cannot be fulfilled and he will certainly exhibit behaviors that are quite undesirable!

Next to providing your cat shelter, food and love, this is the single most important issue in your cat's life!! You simply must have your male cat neutered and your female cat spayed. It is your moral obligation! The surgery its self has risks simply because the cat must be anesthetized and there is always a possibility of infection. These risks are very limited compared to the risks associated otherwise. The risks may include egg crystallization in the ovaries of the females, which can lead to cancerous cysts and death if a female is kept and not bred. Her eggs are only released when she is bred. Also consider the risks in pregnancy and birthing which are many. Consider risks to both sexes due to the drive to escape outdoors and the diseases they will surely come in contact with (not to mention the injuries they will incur from vehicles or other animals!) One of the worst risks in my opinion would be that unwanted kittens might be brought into this world. Would you want this on your conscience? Not me! The worst risk of all is the possibility that you will grow unhappy with your pet as he grows restless and unhappy and becomes possibly violent lashing out and damaging or destroying your home or even attacking you. This is why we see abandoned and abused animals! When an individual cannot handle the "natural" cat but fails to do anything about it. This is a serious problem in this country and I would never, never, EVER want to be responsible for a single unloved, resented, abused or abandoned cat. There is no question.

The risks are overwhelming!!!!!

The undesirable behaviors I had previously alluded to include spraying, calling, constant attempts to get out, violence and just plain old goofy behavior. These behaviors are driven by their sex hormones and your cat cannot be "trained" out of these things. It is as natural as breathing and stronger than their desire for food. It was created in them to preserve their existence and something this strong cannot be trained away. When the spay or neuter surgery is performed, the hormone levels are significantly reduced, taking away these drives and desires. Your cat then relaxes and fits naturally back into your home. It is best to alter your cat early before these hormones kick in and the sexual reproductive pattern is established. Contrary to many other breeds, your Siamese will not immediately become lazy or fat. You and your cat will be much, much happier if your kitty is altered at an early age.

"What is Spraying?" you ask. It is typically referred to when describing the intact (not neutered) male. It is "scent marking". Used to lay claim to the territory he considers his -by right- and he will "mark" walls, doors, and furniture, anything he can back up against. He will swish his tail back and forth in rapid movements and spray urine. The male's urine carries a thick, offensive stench. Once you smell it you will never mistake it. It's understandable how it is able to attract females and sign their territory to warn off other males. Females can also spray when in heat though this is not as common as with the males. It is literally 1% of males that will not spray, and while the percentage is larger, it is the minority of females that will.

Another behavior that is viewed to be undesirable is "calling". This usually refers to the insistent sound that a queen in heat offers to anyone who will (or won't!) listen. It is an extremely harsh sound that unless one expects it, or is accustomed to it, can be very intolerable. The sound is often compared to an infant crying (or screaming!). The queen will howl at every door and window begging any Tomcat to come to her rescue. I love the description Phyllis Lauder wrote in her book regarding the females. She states, "A queen with love in her heart shouts the glad news at the top of her voice and... to the depths of her not inconsiderable voice" The octaves, vowels, and variations are shocking and can be extremely irritating to those not so in-love with our Siamese as we are. I suppose if you do compare the "call" to a crying baby... you love that precious baby but a constantly crying infant can drive one to tears! We have had lovesick queens that literally go hoarse from calling so persistently and for so long.

The calling is of course accompanied by the "mating stance". A queen poses with her back-end in the air, stepping up as tiptoe as possible with those back legs, often treading, or pawing the ground while she crouches with her front legs. Her tail will be positioned over to one side, then the other, usually wagging her rear back and forth. She will be extremely affectionate, rubbing up on your legs, the furniture, the dog, but when you pick her up to return her love you will get the "stiff-arm". She will typically roll around on the floor, pushing herself off of vertical surfaces or digging her claws into the carpet to push off on, shoving herself along the floor. It's quite comical indeed! One might think it entertaining... for about 15 min! Her cries will attract neighborhood Tomcats who will in turn climb anything they can to peer in and call back, very often leaving their "bid" on your doors and windows. I remember once waking in the middle of the night and hearing growling coming from the kitchen, I walked in to see all of my cats staring down 2 big Tomcats on the other side of the patio door. A queen may call as long as a week or only for one day, and when she's not bred will usually come back into season within 3 weeks --a fact that your neighbors may not particularly appreciate! The other problem this continuous "drive" may cause is that she will be trying to get out to meet Mr. Tomcat and it can get very tricky trying to keep her where she belongs.

Although calling is primarily associated with the females, what many don't realize is that the male will also call. Though he presents none of the posturing with the rear in the air, he can be equally as vocal while "calling all females". The thing to realize though is that he doesn't go out of "heat".

His calling is a daily event. We have noticed that our males have special times during the day when the drive is strongest, namely later at night, about the time you and the entire neighborhood are settling down to sleep! The intact male will also try to pin down any other cat (male or female) in the house by grabbing the scruff of the neck until "told" to do otherwise. He can "pester" other cats in the household to the point that they must be separated. A male looking for a mate is also difficult to keep from running out doors and once he has succeeded in the escape, he will most definitely run into other males and cross into their territory lines. A catfight among males is not a pretty sight and there is usually bloodshed. Intact males can also become violent even in their home environment. There has been more than one male that we have had to neuter and put up for sale because he just could not be kept confined and retain a suitable personality. They need room to roam and almost unlimited access to females. The male is always looking for a mate. This is what they were created to do!!!! Preserve the species. Go forth and prosper.

One last thing I would like to address before we talk about the actual spay and neuter surgeries is the theory that one should allow their female to have "just one litter". There is absolutely no benefit in allowing your girl to breed and give birth that she would miss out on otherwise. She does not need the experience. It will not enhance her life in any way nor will she feel deprived if spayed before having come into heat and giving birth. I cringe when I hear the innocent remark, "I want her to have just one litter so that my children can experience the birth." or "It would just be so fun to have a litter of kittens!" I agree, it is fun and it is also a good experience for children however it is not worth the risk.

Chances are, these good-hearted individuals have no experience in "kitten-birth". So many assume that because stray cats and cats in the wild give birth every day that it's nature's way to just leave their kitty to "do their thing". This is not so. While it's true, cats are incredible mothers and know how (with a bit of practice) to take care of the whole thing from start to finish; the frequency of problem births is quite high. Nature alone would indicate this. The reason any animal gives birth to multiple offspring is that there is a high risk to those new babies. In order to preserve the species, any must be born for few to survive. In the wild a mother cat will sadly lose the majority of her litter. Kitten delivery is a "hands on" experience and it is very rare to watch a queen give birth and not need to give a hand. This is especially true for the first pregnancy; queens are often confused, sometimes abandoning or punishing the kittens, believing they are the reason for the pain she's just experienced. Sometimes they will trot back and forth to the litter box to deliver a kitten, not understanding what is actually happening. Sometimes the queen is so huge that she is unable to reach her back end to sever the cord and break open the sac and the newly delivered kitten will not make it unless there is some help. Some times a kitten is just too big and you literally have to take your queen on a frantic trip to an emergency vet. This is not a job for inexperience! Especially when the reason you bought your sweet, beautiful loving Siamese is to be a pet, a companion, a member of the family. Do not take the risk!!!

The cost to alter your female will cost anywhere from $25-$150 depending on where you live. Small town veterinarians will charge far less than a veterinarian in a large city. The average age that a girl is spayed is about 6 months old. The time frame would depend on your vet. Some will want her to be a certain age; some will want a certain weight. There are several modern veterinarians who will even offer the spay surgery with in the first few months.

We highly recommend this procedure if your vet offers it. Tradition only is the reason that the age of 6 months is preferred. Many, many years ago, there wasn't a safe anesthetic for the younger kittens, but there certainly is now. There are no adverse affects and there are many benefits. If you would like more information on this, we have provided an article written on the early spay/neuter surgery directly following this one.

Your girl should not be spayed while in heat. It is physically possible, but the risk is much greater as her organs are "swollen" and her blood vessels are in a state of dilation. Your vet will probably also charge you more to perform the procedure due to the safeguards he will have to take. The surgery consists of a tiny incision in her abdomen wall through which her ovaries and uterus are removed. The incision is closed with usually just one stitch and her recovery is fairly easy. It's good to keep her from jumping and don't let her get too excited for the first several days, but she will be back to normal very soon. A spayed cat is much quieter, sheds less and is more relaxed and at peace with her surroundings. She becomes more affectionate and her main concern is no longer sex, but on loving you and enjoying her precious little life.

The cost to alter a male cat is less than a female as the entire surgery is basically on the outside of the body. The prices range from $20-$125. A tiny incision is made in the scrotum and the testicles are removed. Usually no stitches are required at all and the recovery is even quicker in the neuter surgery than in the spay. This can also be done within the first few months of his life as with the female, but not typically until after the testicles have descended at around 3 months of age.

The change in the altered pet will be incredible when compared to the same animal left to it's own drives and instincts. Hopefully you will have your kitty altered before any of these more negative behaviors present themselves.

Do yourself and your new baby a huge favor and take care if this extremely important matter. Your kitty will live a longer, happier life. Many good years to you!

While it may seem that interest in early spay/neuter is a recent phenomenon, it has not only been talked about, but it has been practiced for over 25 years in North America. Early age altering refers to spays and neuters done between the age of 6 and 14 weeks. Altering pets between 5 and 7 months of age was established by tradition rather than for any specific medical reason. Years ago, when safe pediatric anesthetic techniques were not available, waiting until a patient was older increased the safety of surgery. But we no longer need to delay altering for this reason.

People working to decrease the problem of surplus dogs and cats in the United States pioneered the idea of early altering. While surgical sterilization remains the most effective means of population control, delaying the surgery long enough for sexual maturity to occur defeats the purpose. Animal shelters advocate mandatory altering, but many adopted animals either are never altered or have at least one litter first.

Over the years, the safety of early altering has been questioned, mainly by veterinarians who may be unfamiliar with the surgical and anesthetic techniques required for pediatric patients. As well, concerns that early altering could increase the incidence of feline lower urinary tract disease, could affect skeletal development, and affect behavior have been voiced. These concerns have largely been laid to rest by many studies, and early altering is becoming more widespread and available. A study recently published by researchers at the University of Florida found no significant differences in the physical and behavioral characteristics of cats altered at 7 weeks of age compared to those altered at 7 months of age.

Very important work has been done by Drs. Michael Aronsohn and Alicia Faggella at the Massachusetts SPCA on the anesthetic and surgical techniques for early altering of dogs and cats. In 1993, two papers were published outlining their work on the early altering of hundreds of kittens between the age of 6 and 14 weeks. They evaluated several anesthetic protocols and made recommendations for safe handling and anesthesia in patients of this age. Some small changes to surgical technique are necessary for patients in this age group. As well, these young patients must be handled a bit differently both before, during, and after surgery. The changes in surgical protocol are simple and easy to carry out, and the experience of these veterinarians with early altering is overwhelmingly positive.

As cat breeders, we must do our part to curtail the serious issue of surplus animals. Many of us work in breed rescue programs and give our time and expertise to shelters. We can ensure that our own kittens not destined for breeding programs will never reproduce by practicing early altering. Early altering is a safe and effective means of ensuring we do not unwittingly add to the burden of unwanted pets.

Further Information on Early Spay/Neuter may be found in the following:

1. Aronsohn MG, Faggella AM. Surgical techniques for neutering 6- to-14-week-old kittens. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assoc Vol 202(1);53-55, 1993.
2. Chalifoux A, Niemi G, Fanjoy P, Pukay B. Early spay-neutering of dogs and cats (letter). Canadian Veterinary Journal Vol 22; 381, 1981.
3. Faggella AM, Aronsohn MG. Anesthetic techniques for neutering 6- to-14-week-old kittens. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assoc Vol 202(1);56-62, 1993.
4. Hosgood G. Anesthesia and surgical considerations in Hoskins JD (ed) Veterinary Pediatrics - dogs and cats from birth to six months, Philadelphia, WB Saunders Co., p. 561, 1995.
5. Lieberman LL. Advantages of early spaying and neutering (letter). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assoc Vol 181(5);420, 1982.
6. Lieberman LL. A case for neutering pups and kittens at two months of age. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assoc Vol 191(5);518-521, 1987.
7. Root MV, Johnston SD, Johnston GR, Olson PN. The effect of prepuberal and postpuberal gonadectomy on penile extrusion and urethral diameter in the domestic cat. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound Vol 37(5);363-366, 1996.
8. Stubbs WP, Bloomberg MS. Implications of early neutering in the dog and cat. Seminars in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Small Animal) Vol 10(1);8-12, 1995.
9. Stubbs WP, Salmeri KR, Bloomberg MS. Early neutering of the dog and cat in Bonagura JD, Kirk RW (eds) Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII Small Animal Practice, Philadelphia, WB Saunders Co., p. 1037, 1995.
10. Theran P. Early-age neutering of dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assoc Vol 202(6);914-917, 1993. Are fears of negative side effects of early neutering warranted? Background and medical issues including a summary of an ongoing Winn Foundation funded project to evaluate the long-term effects of early altering.

Developmental and Behavioral Effects of Prepubertal Gonadectomy. Mark S. Bloomberg, DVM, MS; W.P. Stubbs, DVM; D.F. Senior, BVSc; Thomas J. Lane, BS, DVM; University of Florida at Gainesville. Funded by the Winn Feline Foundation, February 1991. Continuation funded February 1992.

A progress report on a study funded by The Winn Feline Foundation Summary prepared by Diana Cruden, Ph.D.

The concept of early spaying and neutering (e.g. before the animal is sexually mature) is not a new one. In the early 1900's, early neutering was the norm and it was not until much later that questions were raised about the negative side effects of such a procedure. Today most of the experts acknowledge that there has not been enough scientific information available about the most appropriate age to neuter a pet. Until recently, there was no research data that either supported or disproved the idea that neutering dogs and cats at ages younger than five to eight months was deleterious. There is, in fact, little scientific basis for selecting this age group as the most appropriate time for neutering. Indeed, one investigator points out that many veterinarians have been practicing early neutering for years, since there is an incredible range of ages when puppies and kittens reach sexual maturity. Large animal practitioners have long practiced early neutering on their livestock and consider it not only acceptable, but also desirable in many cases. Even before concerns for the burgeoning population of unwanted pets raised our collective consciousness, there were many scientifically documented reasons to spay and castrate. Spayed females are protected against mammary cancer and uterine infections. In males, castration reduces the risk of testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate and related infections. From the pet owners point of view, the spayed or castrated pet is a much better companion. They are less aggressive and more affectionate than their unaltered counterparts. Since they are not driven by the urge to reproduce, they are less likely to roam and fight.

Controlled studies into the short- and long-term effects of early neutering have been sadly lacking until recently. While there had been numerous anecdotal reports of early spaying and neutering, these cases were generally uncontrolled from the scientific viewpoint. Most reported cases were random bred, unrelated animals from a variety of backgrounds and no attempt was made to control for these variations. There have been few university-based studies in this area. M.A. Herron of Texas A&M reported in 1972 that neutering before sexual maturity had relatively little effect on the diameter of the urethra in male cats. Studies have more recently been conducted at Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, and the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida. The Florida project, begun in 1991 and completed in 1992, was funded by the Winn Feline Foundation in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). A serious attempt was made in this study to limit background influences and genetic variation. The kittens were bred especially for the project and litter mates were divided among the three groups. The queens were bred and housed in quarantined facilities since both pre- and post-natal nutrition and other factors can contribute to the ultimate size, weight, and overall health of the kittens. Dr. Mark Bloomberg indicates that although long-term follow-up results are incomplete, the initial results are extremely positive. Prior to undertaking the Winn Foundation study, Dr. Bloomberg had completed a similar study in dogs. Animals involved in that study have now been followed for over five years, with no negative side effects reported. In the Winn Foundation study, there were a total of 31 domestic shorthair kittens from 7 litters born on the Gainesville campus.

The kittens were divided into three groups:

• Group 1 (11 kittens) were neutered or spayed at 7 weeks of age.
• Group 2 (11 kittens) were neutered or spayed at 7 months.
• Group 3 (the control group of 9 kittens) were not neutered until maturity and after the completion of the first phase of the study at 12 months.

The investigators reported that the surgical procedures in the Group 1 kittens were straightforward and uncomplicated, and that the kittens recovered even more rapidly than the Group 2 kittens and Group 3 cats. Dr. Bloomberg notes that although there is very little material on pediatric anesthesia in animals, the pediatric patient in human medicine is generally considered to be a very good surgical candidate and there is no reason why this should not also be true for dogs and cats. The major concerns in pediatric surgery are: preventing hypothermia (maintaining body heat); utilizing proper doses of anesthetic agents (since the respiratory centers are not as well developed in the pediatric patient); and maintaining proper blood glucose. The investigators did not fast the pediatric patients as long as adult patients and administered small amounts of Karo syrup prior to induction of anesthesia as a precaution. It should be noted that due to the rapid recovery of the pediatric patient, the common practice of reducing anesthesia during final stages of the surgery was modified.

Critics have claimed several possible detrimental side effects from early neutering. It is commonly believed that neutered animals are less active and more prone to obesity than unaltered animals. It was also suggested that neutering at an early age would stunt normal growth. In male cats in particular, it was feared that early castration would affect the development of the urinary tract and lead to an increased incidence of cystitis or urinary obstruction. Concerns have also been raised as to the effect of early neutering on behavior, food consumption and dietary requirements, etc. The investigators attempted to answer most of these questions by evaluating several parameters in the three groups of kittens. In particular, they looked at weight and body composition (i.e., percent of body fat); bone length and the age of physeal closure (the age when long bone growth stops); behavior; food consumption; development of the urinary tract; and the development of secondary sexual characteristics and degree of sexual maturity.

The results of the comparisons of weight showed some differences between the three groups. Males weighed consistently more than females, but this was uniform in all groups. The studies of body composition and body fat indicated that Group 1 (neutered at 7 weeks) and Group 2 (neutered at 7 months) were identical and were generally fatter than Group 3 (neutered at 12 months, after they were sexually mature). Investigators point out that by 12 months, the male cats in Group 3 were already exhibiting the normal adult male characteristics of decreased weight and the development of jowls, which accounts for some of the differences. It has also been noted that in the course of follow-up, the differences between the weight in cats from Group 1 and 2 and Group 3 are becoming less apparent. All these cats have been placed in selected and supervised pet homes and are more active than they were in the University facilities. A three-year follow-up exam was to be conducted in May of 1994.

There was generally no difference in food consumption between the three groups other than the differences between males and females, which were consistent in all groups. There was no difference observed in the growth rates in all three groups, although the males grew faster in all groups. Increased long bone length was observed in both males and females in Groups 1 and 2. This appeared to be due to the fact that physeal closing (closure of the bone growth plate) was delayed in Groups 1 & 2. This explains why cats neutered and spayed as kittens are frequently larger (longer and taller) than unaltered cats or cats altered later in life. This seems to be particularly true for males.

In terms of behavior, after 7 months, the cats in Group 3 were noticeably less affectionate and more aggressive prior to altering than the cats in Groups 1 and 2. Contrary to popular opinion, neutered animals were as active as their unaltered age mates.

Observations of urinary tract development showed no differences between the three groups other than the differences related to sex and these were consistent across all groups. The investigators measured the diameter of the urethra in the male kittens only and found no differences between the groups. Concerns have been raised that early neutering would result in smaller diameters in the urinary tract, resulting in an increased incidence of cystitis and related problems. This does not appear to be the case. The main differences observed between the groups occurred in the comparison of secondary sex characteristics. Males were examined for differences in the development of the penis and prepuce (skin covering the penis), as well as for the development of penile spines. The penile spines were absent in Group 1, smaller than normal in Group 2, and normally developed in Group 3. In the examination of the female kittens, investigators found that the vulvas were more infantile in Groups 1 and 2 and normal in Group 3. None of these differences had any impact on the ability to catheterize the kittens. Concerns that development of the urinary tract might be arrested or impaired by early spaying and neutering proved unsupported.

The results of this study so far indicate that the differences between cats neutered at 7 weeks and 7 months are insignificant. The differences observed between animals in Groups 1 and 2 and the animals in Group 3, while in some cases statistically significant, are not differences, which appear to affect the health of the animal in a negative way. While the final results will depend on the analysis of long-term follow-up, the indications are that early neutering is not detrimental to the overall health of the animal. From the perspective of shelters and particularly in respect to the problem of surplus puppies and kittens these results are encouraging. If all the animals adopted from shelters, including puppies and kittens, are neutered prior to adoption, there should be a corresponding decrease in the numbers of animals euthanized each year in this country. Preliminary results from Alachua County, near the University of Florida at Gainesville, would seem to support this theory.

Alachua County Animal Control has been working with the investigators at the University and have had an early neuter policy in place since 1990. No animal leaves the shelter without being neutered. In 1987 the county euthanized 1,250 cats and dogs per month. Since implementing the early neuter policies they have seen the numbers drop to 940 per month in 1992 and there has been no increase in morbidity or mortality associated with the program.

In the last year, recognition of the safety and efficacy of early spay/neuter has grown rapidly. The American Humane Association has endorsed early neutering prior to adoption as a "feasible solution to decreasing pet overpopulation and the tragedy of resulting deaths." In July 1993, delegates to the American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting voted to give AVMA's support to the concept of early neutering. Work done by veterinarians at Angell Memorial Hospital for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals supports Dr. Bloomberg's observations. Other organizations involved in early neuter programs include the Denver Dumb Friends League in Colorado, the Miami Humane Society and Alachua County Animal Control in Florida, The Humane Society of Austin and Travis County in Texas, the Chicago Animal Control in Illinois, the King County Animal Control in Washington state, the Vancouver SPCA in British Columbia and the Southern Oregon Humane Society in Oregon. The Dekalb Humane Society in Decatur, Collie Rescue of Metro Atlanta, the Georgia Alliance of Purebred Canine Rescuers, The Haven (dog rescue) and Dog River Sanctuary in Douglasville are among the Georgia organizations working with early neuter in dogs and cats, as well as exotic species.