Conference misery::feline_v1

    I'm afarid I don't know of any alternatives. However, both my cats
    have had this operation and seem to be perfectly happy. It stops them
    spraying and it also stops them from roaming to far from home or
    from getting in fights.  They could be hurt much more by a fight
    than by the operation. 
    
    Both of my cats are still very affectionate and loving. If you can't
    find any alternative you may find that castration is not as bad
    as you think.
    
    Ellen (in England)

    Funny how different cultures have different feelings about this
    issue.  I think most of us over here feel that a pet, whether male
    or female, dog or cat, that is not going to be used for breeding
    should be neutered.  In fact, some will go as far as saying that
    it is irresponsible to keep an un-neutered pet, primarily because
    of the vast numbers of unwanted pets in animal shelters, or left
    to roam the streets.  Here, the procedure is fairly inexpensive,
    and there are groups who will subsidise the cost if the pet owner
    cannot afford to neuter.  My two males have been castrated ('altered'
    as we usually call it), and both had no problems.  My kitten, who
    was altered in December, was home the same afternoon, and was running
    around, jumping (a little!), and playing with that evening.  It
    makes for a much more enjoyable pet (neutered males are more
    affectionate) and a lot more pleasant to be around.
    
    No amount of punishing or scolding or anything will stop him, because
    it's a biological function, driven by his hormones, that is the real
    source of the spraying.  And there is nothing more foul smelling
    than a sexually mature cat spray (blechhh!!).  Even if he will be
    free to roam, un-neutered, he will also be free to fight with other
    toms, and will also continue to spray inside.  When neutered, he
    will be free to roam the beaches, and will have time to work on
    his tan on the French Riveira in sweet-smelling peace!  Sounds good
    to me!!
    
    Mary

    Mary and Ellen are right.  Having your kitty altered (as we call
    it here in the states) is the best thing you can do for him.  He
    will make a much better pet in a number of ways.  First of all,
    his urine won't have as strong of a musk scent after he is altered.
    He may continue to spray, but the odor won't be as bad.  Most cats
    will stop spraying after being altered.  Secondly, he will be less
    obssessed with finding a mate and therefore spend more time at home
    with you.  Third, he will be less aggressive and get in fewer
    territorial fights.  
    
    The operation is simple and he will be fully recovered in a day
    or two.  I find altering a cat preferable to putting up with the
    nastiness of cleaning up cat spray and patching up cats after fights.
    
    Here in the states we have a real problem with too many unwanted
    stray animals so altering is highly advocated.  Don't worry, you
    will be doing the best thing for your cat and for yourself in having
    him altered.
    Jo Ann

    I forgot to mention that here in the states there is a drug called
    Ovaban that can be used in male cats to help in the control of
    spraying.  This drug is not to be taken lightly.  I whole males,
    it can cause sterility so shouldn't be used on breeding cats.  In
    altered males, it causes water retention and weight gain.  I is
    also contra-indicated for kidney problems and heart problems.
    
    I used this drug on one of my altered males for a period of six
    months.  He did stop spraying eventually, but it took several months.
    I took several more months to get the excess weight off him and
    I also noticed an increase in his FUS flair ups while he was on
    the drug.
    
    I would suggest having your cat altered first and then, and only
    then, if he continues to spray in your house, discuss with your
    vet the pro's and con's of using Ovaban.
    Jo Ann

    My family has always owned male kitties and since they have never been
    meant to be used in breeding, they were always "altered". There is a
    definate decrease in the amount of fighting, though all of them managed
    at least one major cat-fight injury during their lifetime (all
    successfully recovered though). It does tend to make them gain weight,
    but that could just be from less exercise, than anything else. 
    
    My vet recommended that the operation take place before the kitten
    started spraying, so that he didn't get into the habit. Timing
    can be tricky, but we were lucky. And, Merlin went in to the vet
    in the morning and we had him back that afternoon and though he
    was a little quiet, he was just fine that evening. On the other
    hand, my sister's cat just went through the operation and was obviously
    sore for at least 1 week after the operation. So a lot does depend
    on the vet...
    
    Our other cat came neutered (he was 2 1/2 yrs when we go him) but
    we noticed that when he first arrived, he would walk up to something
    and make the motions as if he was spraying. When we would check
    out the spot, it would be dry. The vet said that even though they
    don't spray anything, they still might go through the motions.

    janet b.

    Yes, by all means neuter your cat.  Mary put said it all.  I have
    2 cats (a 9 yr. old male and a 2 yr. old female) and both have been
    neutered/spayed.  They are clean, healthy and happy cats and I must
    say they have no bad habits at all.  They are indoors all the time
    due to the dangerous traffic area we live in.  Drivers seem to
    deliberately try to run down anyone crossing the street so my cats
    wouldn't last long outside.
    
    I recommend you get your male cat neutered soon so that the odor
    of his spraying in the apartment that you're leaving isn't too offensive.
    The new tenants would not appreciate it nor would the landlord/lady.
    Since I am a pet owning tenant and have had difficulty in the past
    finding a place to rent that would allow me to keep my pets, I can't
    stress enough emphasis on having clean, well-trained pets.   
    
    Really, it's a very simple operation and not to worry!
    
    Pat
            

    One of my cats goes through the motions too.  I always panic at
    first, then after checking the spot and finding it dry I can relax
    again.  My husband says that Winston is "praticing" and that someday
    there will be a wet spot.
    Jo

	Add yet another note for neutering...

	 When my  I  was growing up, my folks used to complain that they
     spent  more  on vet bills for the cat than they did on doctor bills
     for  the rest of the family. Until Tiger got neutered. Then the vet
     only saw him once a year for shots. (Before that, there were 2 huge
     absesses,  of  course  at  different times, and other miscellaneous
     boo boos).

	 My own  two,  Josh  and  Becky, had their respective operations
     before  they were even aware of the facts of life. I'm happier that
     way, and I'm pretty sure they are too. (Ignorance is bliss, and all
     that!)

I agree with .2.  Allowing the cat to go outside won't stop the indoor 
spraying.  The operation is pretty simple, and solves a lot of problems.  I'm 
not sure hormone pills, if such a drug is available, would be less cruel.  

In the states, the operation is relatively quick and easy.  My last male, 
however, upon retrieval from the vet did not have full control of his hind 
quarters, and his bum kept flopping over.  I laughed once, and he gave me a 
look that said "You did this to me!" so I stopped laughing.

						     
							- JP

    The July 1984 issue of CAT FANCY had a real good article on what
    is involved in neutering a male cat. Following the form feed, you'll
    find the portion of the article that describes the procedure.
    
    Do get your little guy fixed. My two boys are fixed and they are
    both ultra-affectionate and lovable. I adopted Argus as an adult
    and he was already fixed. I found Panther as a four week old kitten
    and had him fixed at 9 months. The only change in his behavior is
    that he stopped spraying.

    Deb
    
   "Surgical Sterilization
    
    "There are two ways to sterilize a male cat. The most common technique
    is orchidectomy, or castration, in which the male's testicles,
    epididymis and spermatic cord are removed, leaving all other portions
    intact.
    
    "The veterinarian will anesthetize the cat and then surgically cut
    into the scrotum, tie off the spermatic cords and remove them along
    with the attached testicles. Stutures are not used to close the
    skin incision, but rather, it is left open to heal. This differs
    from the female spay in that you do not have to return to the
    veterinarian in order to havce sutures removed.
    .
    .
    .
    "The procedure itself is quick. Skilled practitioners can castrate
    a male in as little as five minutes, excluding preperation, anesthesia
    time and recovery. Usually the cat can be taken to the clinic in
    the morning and picked up that evening, but some veternarians like
    to keep the cat overnight for observation."
    

Our family had two full tom cats (at different times) when I was growing up.
Both were outdoor cats.  We never had any problem with either cat spraying in
the house.  However, we only had one cat at any one time, so they may not
have sprayed simply because they didn't feel the need to mark parts of the
house as their territory.  They *did* spray trees, car tires, and things in
our yard, though.

Fighting is the other problem with full toms.  Our cats would disappear for
days at a time (especially in the spring), and come home torn up and smelling
of cat urine.  Infected abscesses are the most common problem, here.

--PSW