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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wonder if my cat has been properly castrated?

46 replies

Fernx0x0 · 07/11/2021 07:01

Have just rehomed a cat from the RSPCA. They say that he has been neutered and the paperwork reflects this. However, he has extremely large testicles in situ. I remember from cats I have had when I was a child that the testicles were removed when cats were castrated. Can anyone advise on this as Googling hasn't been particularly helpful.

OP posts:
Hellokittyninja · 07/11/2021 07:05

My male cat was desexed by the SPCA abroad and they did a vasectomy. He still has his balls. It is an easier and cheaper option apparently.

Theunamedcat · 07/11/2021 07:07

If he was an adult maybe they gave him a vasectomy instead but perhaps a trip to your vet is in order

cowburp · 07/11/2021 07:09

Ask the vet?

Chunkymenrock · 07/11/2021 07:12

Make an appointment to have him seen at the vets to confirm. The testicle are removed during castration so I reckon it's a paperwork cock up somehow and he has not been neutered. How odd!

Original poster
Fernx0x0 · 07/11/2021 07:13

@Hellokittyninja

My male cat was desexed by the SPCA abroad and they did a vasectomy. He still has his balls. It is an easier and cheaper option apparently.
That is reassuring! It sounds like the probability is that everything is in order! I could ring the vet tomorrow as well for further reassurance!
OP posts:
Greenhillfaraway · 07/11/2021 07:15

I’ve a tomcat who was castrated (not vasectomised) at around 5 years old. He has retained his furry ball sacs.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 07/11/2021 07:16

If he has his testicles, he had t been castrated.that’s what castration is. He may have had a vasectomy though.

Original poster
Fernx0x0 · 07/11/2021 07:19

Actually I may ring the vets who did the castration as I have the details on my cat's paperwork that came with him.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fernx0x0 · 07/11/2021 07:20

@Greenhillfaraway

I’ve a tomcat who was castrated (not vasectomised) at around 5 years old. He has retained his furry ball sacs.
My cat is 4 years old and was apparently castrated only recently when taken to the RSPCA as a stray. I wonder if age when castrated makes a difference as to whether testicles are removed or not?
OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 07/11/2021 07:21

My cat was neutered by the CPL when they took him in. He was slightly late being neutered and he has some furry bits left over. He is definitely neutered, but has a residual very small furry pouch.

Anonaymoose · 07/11/2021 07:25

If he was just done done very recently the testicle sacks can look swollen for a week or so. Very unlikely he would be given to you unneutered. Vasectomy in cats is very rare in the UK.

shouldistop · 07/11/2021 07:27

Castration is the removal of testicles so if he still has them then he hasn't been castrated.
As others have said maybe he's had a vasectomy.

Original poster
Fernx0x0 · 07/11/2021 07:31

@Anonaymoose

If he was just done done very recently the testicle sacks can look swollen for a week or so. Very unlikely he would be given to you unneutered. Vasectomy in cats is very rare in the UK.
No he hasn't been neutered recently. It was done back in August.
OP posts:
shylatte · 07/11/2021 07:31

They usually remove the testicles, but leave the testicular sack, which can be a bit droopy and make it look like they are still in situ. If you have the paperwork to say he has been neutured I'd take them at their word.

Original poster
Fernx0x0 · 07/11/2021 07:33

@Anonaymoose

If he was just done done very recently the testicle sacks can look swollen for a week or so. Very unlikely he would be given to you unneutered. Vasectomy in cats is very rare in the UK.
I agree that it is highly unlikely the RSPCA gave him to be un neutered as they have been brilliant in every way. I paid £75 and he came with microchip, vaccinations and de-flead and wormed and 4 weeks of free pet insurance. I really can't rate the RSPCA highly enough for this.
OP posts:
Original poster
Fernx0x0 · 07/11/2021 07:36

@shylatte

They usually remove the testicles, but leave the testicular sack, which can be a bit droopy and make it look like they are still in situ. If you have the paperwork to say he has been neutured I'd take them at their word.
Yes, this is probably what has happened. He is certainly not acting like an un neutered tom. He loves to chill and spends most of his time indoors by preference. No signs of wanting to rove about after the ladies whatsoever!
OP posts:
ShinyMe · 07/11/2021 07:48

I've had three male cats who have been neutered, but who still have their furry little ball sacks. They were definitely not intact though!

Original poster
Fernx0x0 · 07/11/2021 08:44

@ShinyMe

I've had three male cats who have been neutered, but who still have their furry little ball sacks. They were definitely not intact though!
That is good to know! I think that I can probably safely assume that my cat has been castrated and they have just left the ball sacs behind!
OP posts:
BigSigh2021 · 07/11/2021 08:48

When castrating, we incise through the scrotum (ball sack) and remove the testicles. We don't lop off the entire scrotum! Feel his scrotum gently. Are there two firm round objects inside? If not, he is neutered.

shouldistop · 07/11/2021 08:51

Surely leftover scrotum wouldn't look like 'extremely large testicles' though?

Theunamedcat · 07/11/2021 09:47

Are they firm?

AwkwardPaws27 · 07/11/2021 09:50

@shouldistop

Surely leftover scrotum wouldn't look like 'extremely large testicles' though?
If he's 4 years old and had big 'uns, they might Grin Especially if they are particularly fluffy, the empty scrotum can still look pretty big on a cat neutered later. You won't be able to feel the testes though.
icedcoffees · 07/11/2021 09:51

They often leave the ball sac but remove the balls Grin

icedcoffees · 07/11/2021 09:52

@shouldistop

Surely leftover scrotum wouldn't look like 'extremely large testicles' though?
They definitely can do if the cat is large and was neutered later on in life.
Original poster
Fernx0x0 · 07/11/2021 09:55

Panic over guys! I have felt them and there is definitely nothing inside either ball! Phew!

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