Has anyone picked up a unneutered tom & discovered a chip!

[blackcat]

It might be helpful if the microchip could be encoded to show that the cat is neutered...

Perhaps some  are as it is a question asked on the chip form, although many kittens are chipped before neutering age.

My dog's chip has a website that I can access and update his information. Will check if it provides an opportunity to update gender option ......... Have not looked into it that often as it is only for changes of address that I use it and that has only been twice in five years ..........

[Ela]

who had at least three a month that were operated on, only to be found the job was already done.

Our vet does not like to 'go in' but would rather wait to see if the cat comes into season. When we take in females that we are not sure if they have been spayed. They are in care at least 2 weeks, usually many more and we just watch for the signs of the cat coming into season. if the cat is homed after 2 weeks we make it very clear that it is imperative that they cats are kept in for the full two months suggested (usually in the hope that they care kept in for 4 weeks) and the reason for it. We have not been let down yet. We actually find more females that are signed in by their owners who say they have been spayed and  have not been, than strays who come in and come into season.

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

It must be a nightmare for rescues and vets trying to figure if a stray queen has been spayed. i knew a rescue lady in London who had at least three a month that were operated on, only to be found the job was already done. She still had to pay the same amount.   With ferals, the ear tipping practice is perfect, but with domestics people don't like the cosmetic effects.

A tattoo is a really good idea.  

[Ela]

It might be helpful if the microchip could be encoded to show that the cat is neutered...

Perhaps some  are as it is a question asked on the chip form, although many kittens are chipped before neutering age.

[Ela]

And will be done as soon as he is old enough

I cannot imagine anyone who comes on here would not, knowing the implications of being left  entire. Reduces or eliminates risk of spraying and marking
Less desire to roam, therefore less likely to be injured in fights or road traffic accidents.
Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated, and decreases incidence of prostate disease.
Reduces the number of unwanted cats/kittens.
Decreases aggressive behaviour,
Helps cats live 3 – 5 YEARS LONGER, healthier lives.
Also knowing that breed rescues are just as full to bursting as moggie rescues. Although I appreciate that there are not so many Manx cats available If you help keep it like that they are more likey to be valued.

[blackcat]

If you are talking about your common or garden moggy who is  a stray then I think the basic assumption is correct. If they are entire and they are a stray then the odds are that if they have been owned at any point in time it has been by a person who lacks the basic responsibility gene required to have their animal chipped  . If it is female and has been straying then the possibility of pregnancy and not being spayed is also real. If it is very old then it is possible that microchipping was not an option at the time it was acquired.

Having said that, in Oz and NZ a cat has its ear tattooed if it is spayed or neutered - a simple method of clearing up confusion. I am surprised it does not happen here. The tattoo is a simple circle with a cross bar (like the no smoking sign but with no cigarette). It might be helpful if the microchip could be encoded to show that the cat is neutered...

[Desley (booktigger)]

Michelle, she has said she isn't sure if she will breed him.
Have to say, we haven't found a chip in the unneutered toms we have had so far, but Angie makes a good point with the chipping, it will probably happen in the future. We tend to keep females for a month to check if they come into season, but then have to assume they have been done - I wish there was a tattoo they did when they spayed females (even if just a couple of dots on the tummy), so that if one came into rescue over spaying age, all the vet would have to do is shave a small patch of fur, and you would instantly know, cos even if you see a scar, you can't guarantee they have been done, some vets will do a c section and not spay.

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

He is still intact at the moment.

And will be done as soon as he is old enough ?

[Angiew]

I think its a dangerous assumption. As rescues are chipping before kittens go to their homes, its got to be likely that some of the young lads will run off or the owners won't be bothered to castrate.

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

Im really refering to beddragled strays really rather then pedigrees. Of course if someone reported a pedigree then i would think of chips, but no a tom that had been doing the rounds for months....

[Yvonne]

He is still intact at the moment.

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

  I have just acquired a Manx kitten and have not made up my mind yet which way to go, see how it all pans out.

You have lost me there ??

[Yvonne]

No - not so.  There are pedigree cats which are likely to be used for breeding in their earlier days before being spayed/neutered and quite likely to be chipped.  I have just acquired a Manx kitten and have not made up my mind yet which way to go, see how it all pans out.

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

Further to a post someone put up earlier today.. I seem to assume that just about every unneutered tom we take is has been booted out and the likehood of finding a chip is extremely unlikely.. However, as anyone picked up a tom cat to find one..?

Also whenever we are reported a female cat, if it isnt pregnant already, i assume its probably spayed.. Of course we keep them for a few weeks to see if they come into season, but generally thats my first thought when i pick up an message on the main phone line..

Always pregnant unless proven overwise and unneutered toms never have a chip!

Am i right in presuming this most of the time.? Would be interested on what other CP people do.. as we all get a ear for these things.. Like i have never  heard of a female  (always the males) raiding the local food bowls at night for food through the neighbourhood cat flaps, but i may be very wrong..