rml@hpfcls.UUCP (rml) (08/25/84)
We have a five month old male kitten. The books we have read give
the impression that un-neutered male cats can not make acceptable
pets, as they will spray everything when indoors and fight and/or
disappear when outdoors. However, I find it very difficult to
accept the idea of having him neutered. Does anyone have any good
experiences with, or ideas about, tom cats? Any horror stories?
We live in a small city - private houses with small yards, alleys,
and moderate traffic. Please reply by mail and I'll summarize.
Bob Lenk
{hplabs, ihnp4}!hpfcla!rmlted@teldata.UUCP (08/28/84)
*************************************************************** Yes, male cats will spray, stray, and fight. Some are worse than others and some may even be totally acceptable as pets, but you won't know until it's too late. Don't feel bad about neutering the cat, he will forgive you. Be aware that neutered male cats are suseptible to a urinary condition (called cystitis I think) which can be quite severe. When you are in to see the vet about the neutering also ask about this other problem and learn what symptoms to watch for. Its a common enough problem to be alert for but not enough to worry about. May all your cats dream of being race car drivers. Mine do and they go RRRR RRRRR RRRRR.
mmf@sdchema.UUCP (08/29/84)
Someone mentioned that a neutered male cat is susceptible to urinary problems. This is an important fact to remember for anyone who has a male cat. Male cats in general are prone to this problem but their chances of developing it are increased when they are neutered, fed dry cat food or both. The author said that these problems were rare but should be considered. I'm not sure how rare the problem is but it should definitely *not* be ignored. One of my cats has had very serious difficulties in this area and had to have surgery twice. We were faced with the choice of keeping our cat or keeping our savings account. I wish I could say that I was the only person I know who has actually had to face these problems but I work with two other people who have had to face this same choice. It isn't fun for the people to fork out the bucks and it sure isn't fun for the cat who suffers terribly. If you have a male cat, especially if it is neutered, do pay close attention to his diet and it would be a very good idea to talk to your vet about it.
rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn) (08/31/84)
>Someone mentioned that a neutered male cat is susceptible to urinary >problems. This is an important fact to remember for anyone who has >a male cat. Male cats in general are prone to this problem but their >chances of developing it are increased when they are neutered, fed >dry cat food or both... Neutering makes males only slightly more susceptible to urinary-tract problems UNLESS the cat is neutered too young. I've heard of males being neutered as young as four months. That's just asking for trouble--eight months is more typical. The cat should be basically full-grown before neutering. The problem is not dry food per se; it's related to ash content, which tends to be a higher proportion of certain brands of dry food. There are some dry foods which are quite suitable even for male cats susceptible to problems. Dry food is generally a good idea--it's more suited to cats' nibbling style of eating and it helps keep their teeth clean. -- Dick Dunn {hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303)444-5710 x3086 ...I'm not cynical - just experienced.
lipp@mariah.DEC (Nicki Lipp - DTN 522-2320) (08/31/84)
<> When I had my male cat neutered, the only time I was told to worry about a urinary infection was when the open area was healing. Make sure you replace the kitty litter with shredded newspaper for the first week or so. Don't let the cat out unless it is healed. Nicki Lipp
mike@hou2e.UUCP (M.LUKACS) (08/31/84)
DO IT! Forget about nasty habits, In a state of nature male cats DIE YOUNG this is survival of the fittest with a vengeance. Our male siamese is now 13 years old. He was neutered at age 3 or 4 after our vet (a pure cat man!) said that at his then current state he would not last another 2 years. Even if they win all thier fights and dont die of thirst locked in someones basement or garage where they wandered unnoticed, the constant fight against infections from bites and scratches weakens them and ages them prematurly. Good Luck, Mike Lukacs houxm!hou2e!mike Rm. HO-2C-426 Bell Communications Research Holmdel, N.J. 07733
2141smh@aluxe.UUCP (henning) (09/06/84)
<> =>> When I had my male cat neutered, the only time I was told to worry about =>> a urinary infection was when the open area was healing. Make sure you =>> replace the kitty litter with shredded newspaper for the first week or =>> so. Don't let the cat out unless it is healed. **** **** From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA aluxe!2141smh The problem they are talking about is not an infection, but a blockage. You will see the cat hovering in the litter box trying to make something happen. You then immediately rush the cat to a vet to be unblocked. It is a simple procedure for the vet, but can usually be prevented by a proper diet.
suem@ihu1h.UUCP (Sue McKinnell) (09/06/84)
Male cats are more susceptible to cystitis because their plumbing is narrower; if you neuter a male after he is old enough, you will not ADD to his chances. "Old enough" varies, but should be at least 10 months. Your vet is your best guide for when the cat is ready. As for dry vs. wet food: the current medical theory on cystitis is that any cat which develops it was BORN with it; it is thought to be a herpes simplex II infection. The ash controversy is not proved, but merely a theory with some supporting data. A vet I took my cats to in Cleveland had done a study on this and ended up recommending dry food for cats WITH cystitis. A good dry food has advantages: it is complete nutrition and cleans the cat's teeth. If you feed your cat only wet food, you will end up taking it to a vet for teeth-cleaning, or it may lose it's teeth. BTW, I strongly recommend that ALL cats not specifically kept for breeding be neutered. Unneutered males will spray and fight; unneutered females with cycle into heat at ever- decreasing intervals until they are perpetually in heat, also they develop cysts and tumors. -- Sue McKinnell ...!ihnp4!ihu1h!suem IH 4B166 x2361