Feral cats: notes for veterinary surgeons. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

Abstract

Feral cats are usually difficult to handle. In order to neuter or treat them they should be trapped and immobilised by injection of an agent such as ketamine. This is easier to do if the cat is in a squeeze-back container. Once immobilised, clinical examination, general anaesthesia or euthanasia are straightforward. If the cat is to be ovariohysterectomised, absorbable suture materials and long-acting antibiotics should be used so that recapture will be unnecessary. In colony control schemes all cats left on site should be neutered, marked for identification, vaccinated against feline infectious enteritis with a single dose live vaccine and wormed regularly.