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Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus. Ideally it should be done at about six months age, before the cat's first heat, and can help protect her from risks of uterine, ovarian, and mammary cancers. It is a surgery, done under general anesthesia which usually requires an overnight stay at the vet's. The cat will usually act as if nothing has happened and be their usual self upon returning home, but they should still be kept indoors and quiet for the next day or so. Swelling at the incision site is normal, and will go away in a week or two. Any bleeding or drainage should be reported to your veterinarian. Spaying also helps to alleviate territorial behaviors such as marking, and it can reduce your cat's longing to escape outdoors. Spayed animals have a tendency to gain weight, because they are no longer putting out the effort to find a mate. Make sure to play with your cat everyday to make sure they have adequate exercise.
Neutering, or castration, is the surgical removal of the testicles. This is done under a general anesthetic. Neutering should also be done at about six months of age. The cat will usually stay at the vet overnight, and will not show any difference in behavior upon their return home. The cat will heal in a week a two, provided there are no complications such as bleeding or drainage from the incision site. They should be kept indoors and quiet for the first few days after the surgery. Neutering will eliminate problem behaviors such as spraying, or scent marking, and aggressiveness. Another advantage to neutering is that it reduces your cat's risk of developing testicular cancer or enlargement of the prostate. Studies have shown that neutered males are far less aggressive and make better companion animals than "tom" cats. Your vet will be happy to tell you more about the benefits of these surgeries, and you can feel good knowing you are doing something to help homeless cats by not adding to the overpopulation.
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