Reversible control of reproduction in tom cats: medical options for manipulating libido and fertility.

J Feline Med Surg. May 2023;25(5):1098612X231171406.

Lluis Ferré-Dolcet¹, Stefano Romagnoli²

¹ San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Padova, Italy.; ² Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Italy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:There has been a growing interest in alternatives to surgery for controlling reproduction in tom cats, and the resultant medical options add to a practitioner's toolbox when handling these cases in clinical practice. It is important, however, that when suggesting these drugs, veterinarians have a good understanding of their mode of action, and their correct use and dosage.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE:Breeders increasingly wish to be able to switch on/off the reproductive ability of their tom cats in a controlled manner. In addition, in small animal medicine, there has been concern from some academics, and a growing number of pet cat owners, about potential long-term effects of surgical sterilisation. Further, for some cats surgical castration may not be possible due to health conditions that mean anaesthesia is unsafe. In all of these scenarios, medical alternatives to surgery can prove useful.

EQUIPMENT AND TECHNICAL SKILLS:No special equipment or technical skills are required. A good knowledge of the medical alternatives to surgical sterilisation for controlling reproduction in a tom, and making sure the patient is a suitable candidate, are, however, important for ensuring the cat's health during and after treatment and the owner's satisfaction.

AUDIENCE:This review is aimed principally (but not exclusively) at veterinary practitioners working with cat breeders who seek a temporary arrest in their tom cat's reproduction. It may also help practitioners with clients who would like an alternative to surgery or with cats where anaesthesia for surgical castration is not possible.

EVIDENCE BASE:Advances in reproductive feline medicine have resulted in improved knowledge of medical contraception. This review draws on scientific evidence-based papers that report on the mode of action, length of efficacy and potential side effects of different methods of medical contraception, as well as the authors' own clinical experience.

Keywords

GnRH agonists; GnRH antagonists; Medical contraception; deslorelin; immunocontraception; melatonin; progestogens;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

How to Address Common Misconceptions About Nutrition
Choosing the optimal food for one’s pet can evoke many emotions. Love, confusion, fear, guilt, and complacency are just some of the feelings evoked by pet food industry marketing. Navigating which concerns are valid or fabricated is challenging.

[Disease Caused by Filoviruses: An Update].
The Marburg and Ebola viruses belong to the Filoviridae family and are known to cause emerging zoonotic diseases. These viruses have a high case fatality rate and are easily transmissible from person to person, which makes them capable of triggering outbreaks, including in non-endemic regions, and are also considered agents of bioterrorism. This review aims to improve clinical knowledge and the approach to suspected cases of FD. Improved surveillance and preparedness for potential global outbreaks are essential measures to effectively respond to these public health threats and to ensure that healthcare professionals are well-informed and prepared to deal with these diseases.

Oral Flea Preventive to Control Rickettsia typhi-Infected Fleas on Reservoir Opossums, Galveston, Texas, USA, 2023-2024.
Spinosad killed 98% of fleas infesting opossums.

Resolution of egg binding is possible in most client-owned parrots when multiple treatment strategies are considered.
Of the 150 events that had complete follow-up, 109 (72.7%) resulted in a successful outcome. A successful outcome was observed in 44 of 133 events (33.1%) that were initially managed medically without resorting to additional treatment strategies, in 31 events (86.1%) managed with mechanical assistance, in 20 events (60.6%) managed surgically, and in 12 events (85.7%) managed with ovocentesis.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Using Twine for Gamified Interactive Learning in Veterinary Anaesthesia.
Five interactive clinical cases were developed using Twine, simulating realistic anaesthesia scenarios with decision points and gamified elements, such as scoring systems and resource management. Feedback was highly positive; 90.8% found it effective for training, and 97.0% agreed it improved knowledge. User-friendliness was rated as "easy" or "very easy" by 94.6%. Regarding overall satisfaction, 96.7% of students described the workshop as "good" or "excellent".