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Cats/undescended testicle in 10 mo. old ragdoll

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Expert: - 4/15/2009


Question
I had my ragdoll neutered when he was 6 mo. old.  The vet said that one testicle was inside and couldn't be removed with the "normal" procedure.  Everything would be fine but sometimes there would be enough hormone still produced to make Thomas a "tomcat".  Well, 4 mo. later he's beginning to mark territory, etc.  I talked to my vet, he doesn't do the surgery but can refer me to someone who does.  My question is: will he stop spraying after the surgery or is this a habit that is going to go unstopped?

Answer
Pam,

Thomas's undescended testicle could have been removed at the same time as the other testicle - the surgery takes a bit longer because the vet has to find the testicle to remove it but it's really not much more difficult than a standard neuter which is why I find it so surprising that your vet didn't remove both of Thomas's testicles while he was under anesthesia the first time. Cats are similar to human beings in that they can still produce offspring with only one testicle so for all intents and purposes Thomas is a tom cat and his behavior reflects that. There's a good chance that if you have the undescended testicle removed Thomas's hormone levels will drop down to what they should be and his territorial marking will stop. Testosterone levels tend to take a few weeks to drop after neutering so it's probably best to confine Thomas to a small, easily cleaned room until he stops spraying - the bathroom is ideal for this purpose.

I would strongly advise that you clean areas where Thomas has sprayed with an enzymatic cleaner, unlike many household cleaners which contain ingredients that mimic the scent of urine as far as cats are concerned enzymatic cleaners use beneficial bacteria to permanently remove odors and stains caused by urine, feces and vomit. I use a product called Petzyme which is available at Petsmart, I would recommend that you purchase the larger sized jug of Petzyme available in the dog section because it is cheaper on a per milliliter basis than the small spray bottle of the same product labelled for use with cat odors and stains. Petzyme even includes instructions for use in the laundry in case there is a need for bedding or other linens to be cleaned.

It's probably a good idea to consider purchasing a handheld black light to check for the presence of urine throughout your home, these lights can often be found at pet supply stores and when the room is dark except for the black light urine will fluoresce which will make it easier to clean up.

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Ali

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I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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