Cats who have undergone abdominal cryptorchid orchiectomy will require more time to recover than cats who have experienced a conventional neuter procedure. During the healing phase, cats should be kept indoors and not allowed to participate in outside activities. Cats will need to wear an Elizabethan cone during surgery to prevent irritation of the surgical site. Cat owners need to keep an eye out for signs of swelling, pus, or bleeding near the surgical site. If this occurs, owners should contact their trusted veterinary practitioner right away to discuss their options.
What is Abdominal Cryptorchid Orchiectomy?
Cryptorchidectomy, also known as abdominal cryptorchid orchiectomy, is a surgical operation performed to treat cryptorchidism, a disorder in which one or both testicles do not correctly descend. By the time a kitten reaches the age of six months, both testicles should have descended into the scrotum of the male reproductive system. When the testicles become stuck in the belly, the procedure known as abdominal cryptorchid orchiectomy is performed. Even though only one testicle may be retained, both testicles are removed in order to prevent more issues from developing. When compared to mixed breed cats, purebred cats, particularly Himalayans and Persians, have a higher propensity to develop this condition than mixed breed cats.
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Abdominal Cryptorchid Orchiectomy Procedure in Cats
- Before surgery, the cat will be sedated, shaved, and prepared.
- Then the surgeon will create an initial incision in the midline of the body.
- Surgical scissors will be used to remove subcutaneous fat from the outside abdomen to visualize the linea alba, which is a connective tissue that runs along the outer abdomen.
- Forceps will be used to hold the incision site open as the surgeon creates a precise incision into the abdomen. Surgical scissors will be used to expand the length of this incision.
- Using a spay hook, the surgeon will then find the testicular vas deferens (vaginal canal).
- To retrieve the testicle and the testicular blood supply from the abdomen, the spay hook will be inserted into the first incision made in the belly.
- By utilizing cord ties, the surgeon will completely cut off the blood supply to the undescended testicle and prevent it from regrowing.
- The surgeon will dislodge the testicle from the tied cord and re-insert the tied cord into the abdomen after removing the testicle.
- After that, absorbable sutures will be used to close the surgical site up.
- A castration procedure is completed by removing the remaining testicle from within the scrotal sac, which is performed after the undescended testicle has been removed from the abdominal cavity.
Efficacy of Abdominal Cryptorchid Orchiectomy in Cats
The procedure, known as abdominal cryptorchid orchiectomy, is curative of the disorder and is associated with few postoperative problems. The prognosis for the vast majority of kittens that undergo this procedure is generally good to outstanding. Cats who have suffered from cryptorchidism into maturity may have a more uncertain outlook than those who have not.
Cost of Abdominal Cryptorchid Orchiectomy in Cats
The cost of abdominal cryptorchid orchiectomy will vary depending on the patient’s style of living and any additional expenses incurred, but it is generally between $300 and $1,000 in most cases. The average cost of abdominal cryptorchid orchiectomy in the United States is $600.
Factors to Consider When Having a Cat Abdominal Cryptorchid Orchiectomy
Even though the operation is typically quite effective, there is a minimal possibility that complications will arise. Urinary tract injury and abdominal hernia are two of the most often seen post-surgery problems. In general, these issues are thought to be an extremely infrequent occurrence.
When a cryptorchid orchiectomy occurs unilaterally in the abdomen, it is frequently performed in conjunction with a regular neuter procedure, in which the healthy testicle is also castrated. There is a possibility that the kitty will get testicular cancer later in life due to the condition if the remaining testicle is not removed. It is also more likely that cats with the remaining testicle will transmit the defect to their progeny if the deformity is left in place. Extracting the undescended testicle from the scrotal sac is not a viable option at this time.
The complications that can emerge if the ailment is not addressed are, on the other hand, often more severe than the issues that can arise following surgery. When compared to normal testicles, men who have retained testicles are thirteen times more likely to acquire cancer. Spermatic cord torsion, in which the spermatic cord becomes twisted, can also occur due to cryptorchidism left untreated for an extended period of time.
Prevention of Abdominal Cryptorchid Orchiectomy in Cats
It is challenging to prevent cryptorchidism from occurring due to the nature of the illness. Cats that have been diagnosed with or treated for cryptorchidism should not be crossed with other cats. Unless a cat has previously produced a litter of kittens where any of the kittens were found to have cryptorchidism or other birth abnormalities, the cat should not be bred again.
Prognosis for Cryptorchid Cats
Those cryptorchid cats who are neutered early before any difficulties arise have a perfect chance of a long and prosperous life. The procedure is relatively straightforward, and the outcomes are almost universally positive.