{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T13:00:32Z","timestamp":1785416432807,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,28]],"date-time":"2026-04-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1777334400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004329","name":"Slovenian Research Agency","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["P4-0053"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["P4-0053"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004329","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"award":["P4-0053"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["P4-0053"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/059bp8k51","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Veterinary Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Treatment of cats with pharmacological reproductive control is becoming increasingly common, with deslorelin implants as the primary non-surgical method. However, few studies have systematically documented behavioral changes after implantation. This study evaluated 28 behaviors, grouped into eight categories, in 82 cats at one and three months post-deslorelin implantation. At the group level, behavioral changes over time showed a consistent pattern, with decreases in reproductive behaviors, inappropriate elimination, and activity and increases in positive social behaviors and feeding and drinking from one to three months post-implantation. Given the large number of statistical comparisons performed, these findings should be interpreted with caution in the context of multiple testing. Sex-related differences were limited, with females showing a greater increase in feeding and drinking than males at one month. Age-related effects were also observed, with cats younger than one year being more active than those older than three years at one month. Coat type was associated with behavioral variation at three months, with shorthaired cats showing higher levels of reproductive behavior and inappropriate elimination compared with longhaired cats; however, these effects should be interpreted cautiously given multiple testing considerations.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci13050428","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,28]],"date-time":"2026-04-28T13:26:41Z","timestamp":1777382801000},"page":"428","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Behavioral Outcomes Associated with Hormonal Sterilization in a Questionnaire-Based Study of Cats"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Mihaela","family":"Velkovska","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Clinic for Reproduction and Large Animals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4035-9408","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Maja Zako\u0161ek","family":"Pipan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Clinic for Reproduction and Large Animals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0847-0560","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Irena","family":"Bolko","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Darja","family":"Pavlin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Clinic for Small Animals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"189","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1863-2378.2012.01522.x","article-title":"Zoonotic Diseases Associated with Free-Roaming Cats","volume":"60","author":"Gerhold","year":"2013","journal-title":"Zoonoses Public Health"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"366","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jfms.2007.08.003","article-title":"A Review of Feral Cat Control","volume":"10","author":"Robertson","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Feline Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"424","DOI":"10.1111\/jsap.13724","article-title":"WSAVA Guidelines for the Control of Reproduction in Dogs and Cats","volume":"65","author":"Romagnoli","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Small Anim. Pract."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"500","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2006.04.005","article-title":"Surgical Methods of Contraception and Sterilization","volume":"66","author":"Howe","year":"2006","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1023","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.234.8.1023","article-title":"Population Characteristics and Neuter Status of Cats Living in Households in the United States","volume":"234","author":"Chu","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"118","DOI":"10.1136\/vr.101909","article-title":"Poor Owner Knowledge of Feline Reproduction Contributes to the High Proportion of Accidental Litters Born to UK Pet Cats","volume":"174","author":"Welsh","year":"2014","journal-title":"Vet. Rec."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"514","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2006.04.014","article-title":"Non-Surgical Methods of Contraception and Sterilization","volume":"66","author":"Kutzler","year":"2006","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Amaral, J., Briantais, P., Fontaine, C., and Rigaut, D. (2023). Efficacy and Safety of 4.7 Mg Deslorelin Acetate Implants as a Neutering Option in Male Cats: A Large-Scale Multicentre Randomised Controlled Study. Animals, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani13030379"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"73","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2021.07.015","article-title":"Long-Term Effect of Repeated Deslorelin Acetate Treatment in Bitches for Reproduction Control","volume":"173","author":"Palm","year":"2021","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gontier, A., Youala, M., Fontaine, C., Raibon, E., Fournel, S., Briantais, P., and Rigaut, D. (2022). Efficacy and Safety of 4.7 Mg Deslorelin Acetate Implants in Suppressing Oestrus Cycle in Prepubertal Female Dogs. Animals, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani12243504"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1147","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2014.12.015","article-title":"Clinical Use of Deslorelin Implants for the Long-Term Contraception in Prepubertal Bitches: Effects on Epiphyseal Closure, Body Development, and Time to Puberty","volume":"83","author":"Kaya","year":"2015","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"36","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1439-0531.2009.01441.x","article-title":"Clinical Use of Deslorelin for the Control of Reproduction in the Bitch","volume":"44","author":"Romagnoli","year":"2009","journal-title":"Reprod. Domest. Anim."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"389","DOI":"10.1111\/rda.12058","article-title":"Semen Quality and Onset of Sterility Following Administration of a 4.7-mg Deslorelin Implant in Adult Male Dogs","volume":"47","author":"Romagnoli","year":"2012","journal-title":"Reprod. Domest. Anim."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Romagnoli, S., Diana, A., Ferr\u00e9-Dolcet, L., Fontaine, C., and Milani, C. (2023). Chronic Use of Deslorelin in Dogs: Six Cases (2005\u20132022). Animals, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani13020265"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stempel, S., K\u00f6rber, H., Reifarth, L., Schuler, G., and Goericke-Pesch, S. (2022). What Happens in Male Dogs after Treatment with a 4.7 Mg Deslorelin Implant? I. Flare up and Downregulation. Animals, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani12182379"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ferr\u00e9-Dolcet, L., Carniello, L., Ferro, S., Cattai, A., Romagnoli, S., and Mollo, A. (2020). Interval between Removal of a 4.7 Mg Deslorelin Implant after a 3-, 6-, and 9-Month Treatment and Restoration of Testicular Function in Tomcats. Animals, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10091559"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1111\/rda.14023","article-title":"Resumption of Ovarian Activity Following Removal of a 4.7 Mg Deslorelin Implant in Queens","volume":"57","author":"Ferro","year":"2022","journal-title":"Reprod. Domest. Anim."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"803","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2010.10.020","article-title":"Clinical Efficacy of a GnRH-Agonist Implant Containing 4.7 Mg Deslorelin, Suprelorin\u00ae, Regarding Suppression of Reproductive Function in Tomcats","volume":"75","author":"Georgiev","year":"2011","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"941","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2014.01.015","article-title":"Reversibility of Germinative and Endocrine Testicular Function after Long-Term Contraception with a GnRH-Agonist Implant in the Tom\u2014A Follow-up Study","volume":"81","author":"Georgiev","year":"2014","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"841","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2015.10.031","article-title":"GnRH-Agonist Implantation of Prepubertal Male Cats Affects Their Reproductive Performance and Testicular LH Receptor and FSH Receptor Expression","volume":"85","author":"Mehl","year":"2016","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"250","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2016.09.003","article-title":"GnRH-Agonist Implants Suppress Reproductive Function and Affects Ovarian LHR and FSHR Expression in Prepubertal Female Cats","volume":"87","author":"Mehl","year":"2017","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"507","DOI":"10.1177\/1098612X18788157","article-title":"Length of Efficacy and Effect of Implant Location in Adult Tom Cats Treated with a 9.4 Mg Deslorelin Subcutaneous Implant","volume":"21","author":"Romagnoli","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Feline Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"194","DOI":"10.1177\/1098612X15623985","article-title":"Semen Quality and Interval to Sterility in Tom Cats Treated with a 9.4 Mg Deslorelin Implant","volume":"19","author":"Romagnoli","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Feline Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"853","DOI":"10.1177\/1098612X221118754","article-title":"Reversible Control of Reproduction In Queens: Mastering the Use of Reproductive Drugs to Manipulate Cyclicity","volume":"24","author":"Romagnoli","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Feline Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"817","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2012.03.030","article-title":"Ovarian Activity Reversibility after the Use of Deslorelin Acetate as a Short-Term Contraceptive in Domestic Queens","volume":"78","author":"Ackermann","year":"2012","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"640","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2012.11.018","article-title":"Treatment of Queens in Estrus and after Estrus with a GnRH-Agonist Implant Containing 4.7 Mg Deslorelin; Hormonal Response, Duration of Efficacy, and Reversibility","volume":"79","author":"Georgiev","year":"2013","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"662","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2011.07.046","article-title":"Effects of the GnRH Analogue Deslorelin Implants on Reproduction in Female Domestic Cats","volume":"77","author":"Toydemir","year":"2012","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"766","DOI":"10.1177\/1098612X15594990","article-title":"Long-Term Contraception in a Small Implant: A Review of Suprelorin (Deslorelin) Studies in Cats","volume":"17","author":"Fontaine","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Feline Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"190","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2024.10.021","article-title":"Duration of Efficacy and Effect of Implant Location in Adult Queens Treated with a 9.4 Mg Deslorelin Subcutaneous Implant","volume":"231","author":"Baldan","year":"2025","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"984","DOI":"10.1177\/1098612X19901023","article-title":"Contraceptive Implants Used by Cat Breeders in France: A Study of 140 Purebred Cats","volume":"22","author":"Furthner","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Feline Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Velkovska, M., Pereira, M., Zako\u0161ek Pipan, M., Pavlin, D., Ferr\u00e9-Dolcet, L., Normando, S., and Romagnoli, S. (2025). Behavioral Changes in Cats Following Deslorelin Implantation or Surgical Gonadectomy. Vet. Sci., 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci12050430"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1763","DOI":"10.1213\/ANE.0000000000002864","article-title":"Correlation Coefficients: Appropriate Use and Interpretation","volume":"126","author":"Schober","year":"2018","journal-title":"Anesth. Analg."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1188","DOI":"10.1177\/1098612X18824181","article-title":"Fertility Parameters and Reproductive Management of Norwegian Forest Cats, Maine Coon, Persian and Bengal Cats Raised in Italy: A Questionnaire-Based Study","volume":"21","author":"Romagnoli","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Feline Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"145","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jfms.2005.10.003","article-title":"A Questionnaire-Based Study of Gestation, Parturition and Neonatal Mortality in Pedigree Breeding Cats in the UK","volume":"8","author":"Sparkes","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Feline Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"131","DOI":"10.1016\/S0034-5288(97)90134-X","article-title":"Effects of Neutering on Bodyweight, Metabolic Rate and Glucose Tolerance of Domestic Cats","volume":"62","author":"Fettman","year":"1997","journal-title":"Res. Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e5433","DOI":"10.1002\/vetr.5433","article-title":"Long-term Effect of Neutering Age on Body Condition Score and Bodyweight in Domestic Cats","volume":"196","author":"Blackwell","year":"2025","journal-title":"Vet. Rec."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"De Souza Machado, D., Oliveira, P.M.B., Machado, J.C., Ceballos, M.C., and Sant\u2019Anna, A.C. (2020). Identification of Separation-Related Problems in Domestic Cats: A Questionnaire Survey. PLoS ONE, 15.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0230999"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"917","DOI":"10.1007\/s11259-022-09919-2","article-title":"Clinical Use of Anti-M\u00fcllerian Hormone to Monitor Resumption of Ovarian Activity Following Removal of a 4.7 Mg Deslorelin Implant in Queens","volume":"46","author":"Ferro","year":"2022","journal-title":"Vet. Res. Commun."}],"container-title":["Veterinary Sciences"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2306-7381\/13\/5\/428\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,28]],"date-time":"2026-04-28T14:11:21Z","timestamp":1777385481000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2306-7381\/13\/5\/428"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,28]]},"references-count":38,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]}},"alternative-id":["vetsci13050428"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/vetsci13050428","relation":{},"ISSN":["2306-7381"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2306-7381","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,28]]}}}