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:

Antimicrobial use in the surgical treatment of canine pyometra: A questionnaire survey of Arizona-licensed veterinarians.
Overall, 76% of veterinarians stated they always use preoperative and perioperative antibiotics, and 74% stated they always use postoperative antibiotics. A total of 16 different antibiotics were reported. Twelve percent of respondents regularly submitted a culture. Culture submission was impacted by cost, prior experience, poor owner compliance, result turnaround time, and anticipated results.

The Mental Health Impact of Online Veterinary Reviews
Businesses that have 15% to 20% negative reviews actually earn more revenue than those with 5% to 10% negative reviews. Negative reviews, up to a certain extent, show a sense of authenticity with the optimal negative reviews being between 10% to 25%. Clients expect to see negative reviews and having only 5-star reviews can make clients wonder if the reviews are fake or paid.

Equine Gunshot Euthanasia: Creation of a 3D-Printed Model with Integrated Sensors for Training.
Here, we report the development and production of a portable, reusable, equine gunshot euthanasia training model. The model facilitates the training of veterinary personnel and first responders in successful gunshot euthanasia, providing instantaneous feedback on the likelihood of a shot causing immediate, humane death in a live animal.

A review of adverse events in animals and children after secondary exposure to transdermal hormone-containing medicinal products.
The clinical signs reported in animals included persistent signs of oestrus, poor growth rate, and birth defects. In humans, reported clinical signs included precocious puberty, unresolved virilisation, accelerated growth rate, and female infertility.

National Dog Survey: Describing UK Dog and Ownership Demographics.
The online survey was completed by a total of 354,046 respondents owning dogs in the UK, providing data for 440,423 dogs. The results of this study highlight dog demographics, including acquisition and veterinary factors, as well as owner demographic and household information. This dataset serves as an up-to-date baseline for future study comparisons to continue to monitor trends and patterns of the dog population and dog owners going forwards.