Castrating a rat is another term for neutering a male rat. And with hormone-based behaviours a major reason for welfare and behaviour problems in rats, is it possible – can we neuter a rat, given that they’re so small?
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Well the answer is, yes we can! Fortunately, while rats are fairly small, their testicles are large and easily accessible hanging under the tail. Castration is a surgical procedure in which the testicles are removed, making your pet rat sterile. This surgery is performed by a qualified veterinary surgeon with a registered veterinary nurse monitoring the general anaesthetic. A general anaesthetic involves using drugs to slow down and control the heart rate and breathing rate of your rat and renders them unconscious.
Why should you neuter your rat?
Rats enjoy being housed in groups, as they are very social creatures. Neutering your rat will help prevent any unwanted pregnancies, making it easier for your male rat to be housed with females. Entire males commonly fight and castrating them has been shown to reduce this. The testosterone released by testicles can often cause unwanted behavioural signs affecting how easy they may be handled. Neutering should stop urine marking and looking for female attention too.
By removing the testicles, you are also removing the risk of your rat developing testicular cancer. Tumours within the reproductive organs is a relatively common pathology. Many people report much more loving rats that are easier to handle following this surgery.
What are the risks if you neuter your rat?
There are risks associated with carrying out a general anaesthetic. In the worst cases (and this is rare) death can occur. You will need to sign to say you are aware of the risks associated with the anaesthetic prior to surgery taking place. You may be asked whether you wish for your pet to have CPR performed should it be needed. However, the good news is that modern anaesthetics are much safer than even a few years ago, and it is a fairly quick and straightforward procedure. We would suggest finding a vet with some experience in rodent surgery, though, to minimise the chances of complications.
There is a risk of wound breakdown following the operation, meaning your pet may get an infection and need a course of antibiotics. A small amount of swelling and bruising is common following surgery.
Rare complications
Internal bleeding may occur due if sutures do not completely ligate the blood vessels. This could cause blood loss and your pet may become pale in colour or collapse. You need to seek veterinary attention immediately if this happens. However, it is very, very rare.
Your pet may suffer from a suture reaction. This happens when the body reacts to foreign material being present within the body. It can cause redness, irritation and sometimes become painful. However, with modern suture techniques, this too is rare.
Animals may suffer from adverse reaction to drugs. This is unpredictable and animals will react in different ways for different lengths of time. If this happens and you feel your pet is not themselves, please take them to the veterinary practice as soon as possible. Common symptoms include sickness, diarrhoea, lethargy and redness of the skin.
What would I need to do post operatively?
Your rat will need to be housed in a clean environment. This is to ensure the wound does not become dirty and then infected. Limiting their running and jumping is necessary because this could cause the wound to open up. In severe cases, your rat may need to undergo further surgery to close up the wound again.
Following surgery, your veterinary professionals may give you medication to administer to your rat and a wound cleaning routine. Be sure to follow their advice thoroughly and attend any post operative checks they advise.
How do I book a rat castration?
Once you find a surgeon who is happy to perform the surgery, you should ask at what age is best for your rat to have the surgery. A veterinary professional will most likely want to perform a medical consultation and physical examination on your pet rat prior to surgery to check for any signs of concurrent disease. Getting an estimate for the price is also advised.
It is certainly possible to neuter rats but be sure to understand the pros, cons, limitations and risks to the surgery. Gain as much information as possible about the surgery prior to booking in.
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