VET’S VIEW: The vet who bites cats – or not!

We were busy working at our makeshift surgery on the island of Kastellorizo, when Loeki, one of the volunteers, came in chuckling.

She had just been approached by a neighbour, anxious about a cat she’d seen which had lost its fur and seemed to have been bitten. Could the vet see it?

Loeki had reassured her that this was, in fact, one of the cats we’d operated on, but we had a good laugh about it and after that I became known as the vet who bites cats.

Neutering makes such a difference on these islands.

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By keeping the numbers of strays down we make sure they are healthier and there is less pestering for food which can lead to cats being persecuted by restaurant owners.

Here too, there is really no excuse not to have your cat neutered, even if it is a house cat: it is still likely to get distressed, trying to find a mate.

Neutering generally benefits dogs, too, because apart from preventing unwanted breeding it can reduce or eliminate the risk of a number of common diseases in both males and females, outweighing any 
risks associated with the procedure.

What about your pet’s temperament?

Neutering is unlikely to have any adverse affect on behaviour, but neither can it be expected to improve bad habits, so if you have any concerns in this area, it is best to discuss them with your vet before proceeding.

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Your vet can also advise you on the best time for neutering.

Is neutering safe?

Modern techniques help to ensure a quick recovery from anaesthesia and a relatively small scar.

We always advise that dogs are treated for lungworm before any surgery as this can be a cause of unexpected bleeding.

There is, of course, a small risk associated with any anaesthetic or procedure, but at least we can promise you that the vet won’t bite!