Anesthesia and Incision

• The vet completely anesthetizes your kitten before his surgery begins; he may also give IV fluids. Some vets also give pain medication in order to ensure your pet will be comfortable after his anesthesia wears off. (The practice used to be to allow the cat to feel pain after his surgery so he would stay inactive until he healed. Vets now provide pain medication because veterinarians know that cats who are pain-free will heal more quickly.) The vet makes a tiny incision on the scrotal sac so he can expose the testicles and cords tethering the testicles to other structures.
  
  

Exposure of Testicles

• The tunica vaginalis (fibrous covering which protects the testicle and other organs) is exposed and cut so the vet can expose the testicle and its cords. The vet might make two cuts into the scrotal sac so he can expose both tunica vaginali and complete surgery.
  
  

Ductus Deferens, Pampiniform Plexus

• As the vet is moving through surgery, he squeezes or pushes the testicle out of the tunica vaginalis so he can see, tie off and cut the ductus deferens off of the epididymus. He then ties the cords of the ductus deferens and the pampiniform plexus together into a square knot. After he has done this, he cuts both cords on the testicle side of the knot. He pushes the new knot back into the scrotum and repeats this procedure with the second testicle and its two cords.
  
  

Completion of Surgery

• Your cat will probably not need to have stitches to complete his surgery. Some vets suture the incision closed while others allow the incision to heal naturally. Your cat will awake from his anesthesia within one hour and, once he has recovered, he will be discharged to go home. Your vet will provide post-surgical instructions which will include keeping your cat quiet and giving him a limited diet until you know his digestive system is working as it should. If you notice any unusual symptoms such as swelling of the scrotal sac, pain, an open incision site or infection, call the vet for an appointment. If you notice fever, heat, redness, no urination, appetite or stool within 24 hours, call the vet. Ask for a hood to be placed around your cat's neck so he won't lick his incision.