to neuter or not to neuter?

[cbrister]

i have a male cat about 3 years old, and i would like to get him neutered, but i was told that he was too old, is he too old, and if not how old it too old?

[LordyGeordie]

we had a stray come to us who we had neutuered. the vet reckoned he was about five years' old although of course he couldn't be exact.

anyway the cat was fine (well as fine as you can be with your b0ll0cks cut off!) and lived another 10 years or so.

i don't think there's an age limit on when you can have it done, apart from when the cat is so old that the prospect of general anesthetic and an operation could put it at risk. though when it gets that old i don't think you need to worry about getting it neutered if you know what i mean.

if in doubt check with your vet.

[drgnrdr]

I agree with most of what LordyGeordie says, but just because a cat is old and can't take being put under for an operation doesn't mean he can't get a female pregnant if she's in heat, or it doesn't stop them from spraying/marking. If you want him to stop marking/spraying, it will probably not stop him from doing so, when you get him neutured, some cats keep the ability, (even females can mark), they may not do it as often because they don't have the hormonal drive to do so, but the habit is still there, and the muscles they have developed to spray is still there.  Now, every cat is different and that's why I have allot of "may", and "some". Here IS an expert opinion:

 (Wendy C. Brooks DVM)

ROAMING: > 90% will reduce this behavior with neutering Approx. 60% reduce this behavior right away


FIGHTING: > 90% will reduce this behavior with neutering Approx. 60% reduce this behavior right away



URINE MARKING: > 90% will reduce this behavior with neutering Approx. 80% reduce this behavior right away. (The extreme odor of tom cat urine is reduced after neutering as well.)

So I would say it's not too late...

[muses_queen]

Hi cbrister, who ever said the cat was too old is talking complete rubbish, getting him neutered will help stop any unwanted pregnancies in un-neutered females and will help stop him roaming away. If you said he was 16 years old then I would say there was no point, but at the age of 3 he is still quite young.

Go for the op!

From an ex veterinary nurse.