Unless otherwise agreed; all kittens sold as pets will be sold spayed (females) or
neutered (males).

All kittens sold as pets will leave our cattery spayed (females) or neutered (males) by our
licensed veterinarian.  Kittens will be spayed/neutered by the time they reach 8-9 weeks
of age, and when they are at least 2 lbs., in weight by my cattery veterinarian.

Once spay or neuter has been completed by our veterinarian, To-Pher Cattery will
give the C.F.A registration papers to the buyer as well as a spay/neuter certificate.  
Only kittens that will be used for breeding will be sold intact along with their C.F.A
registration papers, and this is only based on a very delicate study of the persons
interested in breeding.  Generally we only sell breeding rights to people who have
established CFA cattery's, and are interested in Promoting and Perfecting the
Traditional Siamese breed.
Early Spaying & Neutering




A Winn Feline Foundation Report On ...

EARLY SPAY/NEUTER IN THE CAT
Are fears of negative side effects of early neutering warranted? Background and medical issues including a summary of an ongoing
Winn Foundation funded project to evaluate the long term effects of early altering.

Developmental and Behavioral Effects of Per-pubertal Gonadectomy. Mark S. Bloomberg, DVM, MS; W.P. Stubbs, DVM; D.F.
Senior, BVSc; Thomas J. Lane, BS, DVM; University of Florida at Gainesville. Funded by the Winn Feline Foundation, February 1991.
Continuation funded February 1992.

A progress report on a study funded by The Winn Feline Foundation

Summary prepared by Diana Cruden, Ph.D.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The concept of early spaying and neutering (e.g. before the animal is sexually mature) is not a new one. In the early 1900's, early
neutering was the norm and it was not until much later that questions were raised about the negative side effects of such a procedure.
Today most of the experts acknowledge that there has not been enough scientific information available about the most appropriate age
to neuter a pet. Until recently, there was no research data that either supported or disproved the idea that neutering dogs and cats at
ages younger than five to eight months was deleterious. There is, in fact, little scientific basis for selecting this age group as the most
appropriate time for neutering. Indeed, one investigator points out that many veterinarians have been practicing early neutering for
years, since there is an incredible range of ages when puppies and kittens reach sexual maturity. Large animal practitioners have long
practiced early neutering on their livestock and consider it not only acceptable, but desirable in many cases. Even before concerns for
the burgeoning population of unwanted pets raised our collective consciousness, there were many scientifically documented reasons to
spay and castrate. Spayed females are protected against mammary cancer and uterine infections. In males, castration reduces the risk
of testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate and related infections. From the pet owners point of view, the spayed or castrated
pet is a much better companion. They are less aggressive and more affectionate than their unaltered counterparts. Since they are not
driven by the urge to reproduce, they are less likely to roam and fight.
Controlled studies into the short- and long-term effects of early neutering have been sadly lacking until recently. While there had been
numerous anecdotal reports of early spaying and neutering, these cases were generally uncontrolled from the scientific viewpoint. Most
reported cases were random bred, unrelated animals from a variety of backgrounds and no attempt was made to control for these
variations. There have been few university based studies in this area. M.A. Herron of Texas A&M reported in 1972 that neutering
before sexual maturity had relatively little effect on the diameter of the urethra in male cats. Studies have more recently been
conducted at Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, and the
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida. The Florida project, begun in 1991 and completed in 1992,
was funded by the Winn Feline Foundation in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). A serious
attempt was made in this study to limit background influences and genetic variation. The kittens were bred especially for the project and
litter mates were divided among the three groups. The queens were bred and housed in quarantined facilities since both pre- and
post-natal nutrition and other factors can contribute to the ultimate size, weight, and overall health of the kittens. Dr. Mark Bloomberg
indicates that although long-term follow-up results are incomplete, the initial results are extremely positive. Prior to undertaking the
Winn Foundation study, Dr. Bloomberg had completed a similar study in dogs. Animals involved in that study have now been followed
for over five years, with no negative side effects reported. In the Winn Foundation study, there were a total of 31 domestic short-hair
kittens from 7 litters born on the Gainesville campus.

The kittens were divided into three groups:

Group 1 (11 kittens) were neutered or spayed at 7 weeks of age.

Group 2 (11 kittens) were neutered or spayed at 7 months.

Group 3 (the control group of 9 kittens) were not neutered until maturity and after the completion of the first phase of the study at 12
months.

The investigators reported that the surgical procedures in the Group 1 kittens were straightforward and uncomplicated, and that the
kittens recovered even more rapidly than the Group 2 kittens and Group 3 cats. Dr. Bloomberg notes that although there is very little
material on pediatric anesthesia in animals, the pediatric patient in human medicine is generally considered to be a very good surgical
candidate and there is no reason why this should not also be true for dogs and cats. The major concerns in pediatric surgery are:
preventing hypothermia (maintaining body heat); utilizing proper doses of anesthetic agents (since the respiratory centers are not as
well developed in the pediatric patient); and maintaining proper blood glucose. The investigators did not fast the pediatric patients as
long as adult patients and administered small amounts of Karo syrup prior to induction of anesthesia as a precaution. It should be noted
that due to the rapid recovery of the pediatric patient, the common practice of reducing anesthesia during final stages of the surgery was
modified.

Critics have claimed several possible detrimental side effects from early neutering. It is commonly believed that neutered animals are
less active and more prone to obesity than unaltered animals. It was also suggested that neutering at an early age would stunt normal
growth. In male cats in particular, it was feared that early castration would affect the development of the urinary tract and lead to an
increased incidence of cystitis or urinary obstruction. Concerns have also been raised as to the effect of early neutering on behavior,
food consumption and dietary requirements, etc. The investigators attempted to answer most of these questions by evaluating several
parameters in the three groups of kittens. In particular, they looked at weight and body composition (i.e., percent of body fat); bone
length and the age of physeal closure (the age when long bone growth stops); behavior; food consumption; development of the urinary
tract; and the development of secondary sexual characteristics and degree of sexual maturity.

The results of the comparisons of weight showed some differences between the three groups. Males weighed consistently more than
females, but this was uniform in all groups. The studies of body composition and body fat indicated that Group 1 (neutered at 7 weeks)
and Group 2 (neutered at 7 months) were identical and were generally fatter than Group 3 (neutered at 12 months, after they were
sexually mature). Investigators point out that by 12 months, the male cats in Group 3 were already exhibiting the normal adult male
characteristics of decreased weight and the development of jowls, which accounts for some of the differences. It has also been noted that
in the course of follow-up, the differences between the weight in cats from Group 1 and 2 and Group 3 are becoming less apparent. All
these cats have been placed in selected and supervised pet homes and are more active than they were in the University facilities. A
three-year follow-up exam was to be conducted in May of 1994.

OBSERVATIONS
There was generally no difference in food consumption between the three groups other than the differences between males and females,
which were consistent in all groups. There was no difference observed in the growth rates in all three groups, although the males grew
faster in all groups. Increased long bone length was observed in both males and females in Groups 1 and 2. This appeared to be due to
the fact that physeal closing (closure of the bone growth plate) was delayed in Groups 1 & 2. This explains why cats neutered and
spayed as kittens are frequently larger (longer and taller) than unaltered cats or cats altered later in life. This seems to be particularly
true for males.

In terms of behavior, after 7 months, the cats in Group 3 were noticeably less affectionate and more aggressive prior to altering than the
cats in Groups 1 and 2. Contrary to popular opinion, neutered animals were as active as their unaltered age mates.

Observations of urinary tract development showed no differences between the three groups other than the differences related to sex
and these were consistent across all groups. The investigators measured the diameter of the urethra in the male kittens only and found
no differences between the groups. Concerns have been raised that early neutering would result in smaller diameters in the urinary
tract, resulting in an increased incidence of cystitis and related problems. This does not appear to be the case. The main differences
observed between the groups occurred in the comparison of secondary sex characteristics. Males were examined for differences in the
development of the penis and prepuce (skin covering the penis), as well as for the development of penile spines. The penile spines were
absent in Group 1, smaller than normal in Group 2, and normally developed in Group 3. In the examination of the female kittens,
investigators found that the vulva's were more infantile in Groups 1 and 2 and normal in Group 3. None of these differences had any
impact on the ability to catheterize the kittens. Concerns that development of the urinary tract might be arrested or impaired by early
spaying and neutering proved unsupported.

The results of this study so far indicate that the differences between cats neutered at 7 weeks and 7 months are insignificant. The
differences observed between animals in Groups 1 and 2 and the animals in Group 3, while in some cases statistically significant, are not
differences which appear to affect the health of the animal in a negative way. While the final results will depend on the analysis of
long-term follow-up, the indications are that early neutering is not detrimental to the overall health of the animal. From the perspective
of shelters and particularly in respect to the problem of surplus puppies and kittens these results are encouraging. If all the animals
adopted from shelters, including puppies and kittens, are neutered prior to adoption, there should be a corresponding decrease in the
numbers of animals euthanized each year in this country. Preliminary results from Alachua County, near the University of Florida at
Gainesville, would seem to support this theory.

Alachua County Animal Control has been working with the investigators at the University and have had an early neuter policy in place
since 1990. No animal leaves the shelter without being neutered. In 1987 the county euthanized 1,250 cats and dogs per month. Since
implementing the early neuter policies they have seen the numbers drop to 940 per month in 1992 and there has been no increase in
morbidity or mortality associated with the program.

In the last year, recognition of the safety and efficacy of early spay/neuter has grown rapidly. The American Humane Association has
endorsed early neutering prior to adoption as a "feasible solution to decreasing pet overpopulation and the tragedy of resulting deaths."
In July 1993, delegates to the American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting voted to give AVMA's support to the concept
of early neutering. Work done by veterinarians at Angell Memorial Hospital for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals supports Dr. Bloomberg's observations. Other organizations involved in early neuter programs include the Denver
Dumb Friends League in Colorado, the Miami Humane Society and Alachua County Animal Control in Florida, The Humane Society of
Austin and Travis County in Texas, the Chicago Animal Control in Illinois, the King County Animal Control in Washington state, the
Vancouver SPCA in British Columbia and the Southern Oregon Humane Society in Oregon. The Dekalb Humane Society in Decatur,
Collie Rescue of Metro Atlanta, the Georgia Alliance of Purebred Canine Rescuers, The Haven (dog rescue) and Dog River Sanctuary
in Douglasville are among the Georgia organizations working with early neuter in dogs and cats, as well as exotic species.

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) has changed its show rules to permit altered kittens to compete. Many breeders of pedigreed cats
are working with their veterinarians to neuter pet quality kittens prior to placement in new homes. Those breeders who have adopted
this policy report that they are very happy with the practice. New pet owners indicate that acquiring an already neutered animal relieves
them of the worry and expense of scheduling the surgery at a later date, enabling them to relax and enjoy their new companion. As is the
case for shelter managers, breeders can relax in the knowledge that the kitten they place today is not going to contribute to the surplus
pet population tomorrow.

Article taken from (12/10/2006):  The Winn Feline Foundation Web-site  


Early Spay and Neuter of Cats
Unexpected Benefits
From Franny Syufy
Article taken from: http://cats.about.com/cs/spayneuter/a/earlyneuter_2.htm

Notwithstanding the most obvious (and most critical) benefit, that of helping to diminish the population growth, certain side benefits of
early spay and neuter accrued to the cats themselves, such as less traumatic surgery, quicker recovery, and fewer complications.
I viewed a video produced by the U.C.Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in conjunction with AVAR, on the benefits of early spay and
neuter of cats. This video was intended for veterinary use, to demonstrate the comparative ease of the technique with young kittens, as
well as the collateral benefits. At the same time, I also viewed a video produced by the American Humane Association, in which
surgeries (both spay and neuter) were shown in both young kittens and cats at the traditional appropriate ages.  The criteria used for the
suitability of kittens was a clear health check, at least two pounds in weight, and two descended testicles for male kittens.

The Surgery
In preparation for the surgery, because of kittens' predisposition to hypoglycemia, they were not fasted as long as older cats prior to
surgery, but actually were given a small meal.

They were also well-swaddled in toweling and placed on a heated pad, because of the possibility for hypothermia. Other than those
preparations, the surgeries were basically the same, including the kind of anesthetics used for inducement and maintenance. There were
two important differences, however:
1. The surgeries went much quicker and with less trauma for the kittens because there were no extra layers of fat to cut through. For
the same reason, closure was a relatively simple process of one stitch through the one-centimeter incision for the spay.
2. Because of the delicate nature of the organs at that young age, gentle tissue handling was important.

Recovery
Kittens shed the anesthesia much quicker than the adult cats. In a video comparing neutering surgery at two different ages, fifteen
minutes after the surgery the kitten was awake and starting to move around. The one year old cat was still out cold. Within an hour, the
kittens were moving around, playing, and eating. They didn't show the adult cat at an hour later, but from my recollections, my own cats
were still pretty groggy when we brought them home several hours later.

Conclusion
The evidence seems clear that early spay and neuter is not only safe for the youngsters, but that the procedure produces less tissue
trauma, is less stressful, provides a shorter recovery period, with a lower risk of complications. On the other hand, no working studies
are available to support the appropriateness of waiting the traditional period.
The concept has been slow to enter into the mainstream of small animal practice. However the fact that it is being taught in more and
more veterinary colleges, coupled with the endorsements of such august groups as the AVMA with 64,000 members; The Canadian
Veterinary Medical Association, with over 8,000 members; The state veterinary associations in California, Nevada, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Oregon, and Wisconsin; and numerous humane societies, promises that new ground is being gained every day. One fact
is for certain: people who run shelters can attest that their NBA (Neuter Before Adoption) programs have contributed to increased
morale in shelter workers.
That's a real plus, in my book.


Early- Age Spay / Neuter is Endorsed By:

*  AVMA-(American Veterinary Medical Assoc)  
*  AVAR (Assoc of Vets for Animal Rights)
*  American Humane Association  
*  The American Animal Hospital Assn
*  ASPCA  
*  AKC
*  HSUS, Humane Society of the US  
*  Cat Fanciers Association
*  Texas A & M College of Vet Med.  
*   Univ of Minnesota Columbus Academy of Veterinary Medicine
*  Knox County Humane Society  
*  Capital Area Humane Society
*  Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals  
*  Doris Day Animal League
Traditional Siamese Kittens, Applehead Siamese Kittens for sale in California