• L M Howe, M R Slater, H W Boothe, H P Hobson, T W Fossum, A C Spann, and W S Wilkie.
• Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4474, USA.
• J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2000 Dec 1; 217 (11): 1661-5.

ObjectiveTo determine long-term results and complications of gonadectomy performed at an early age (prepubertal) or at the traditional age in cats.DesignCohort study.Animals263 cats from animal shelters.ProcedureCats that underwent gonadectomy were allotted to 2 groups on the basis of estimated age at surgery (traditional age, > or = 24 weeks old; prepubertal, < 24 weeks old). Adoptive owner information was obtained from shelter records, and telephone interviews were conducted with owners to determine physical or behavioral problems observed in the cats after adoption. Follow-up information was obtained from attending veterinarians for cats with complex problems or when owners were uncertain regarding the exact nature of their cat's problem.ResultsCompared with traditional-age gonadectomy, prepubertal gonadectomy did not result in an increased incidence of infectious disease, behavioral problems, or problems associated with any body system during a median follow-up period of 37 months. Additionally, the rate of retention in the original adoptive household was the same for cats that underwent prepubertal gonadectomy as those that underwent traditional-age gonadectomy.Conclusions And Clinical RelevancePrepubertal gonadectomy may be performed safely in cats without concern for increased incidence of physical or behavioral problems for at least a 3-year period after gonadectomy.

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