How does a neutered rat look? - briefly
A neutered male rat usually presents a reduced, recessed scrotal area and a slightly smoother abdominal profile compared with an intact male. Female rats show no visible external changes after the procedure.
How does a neutered rat look? - in detail
A rat that has undergone surgical castration displays several distinct visual traits. The most obvious change is the absence of testicular tissue; the scrotal sac becomes a flattened, skin‑only pouch. Immediately after the procedure, a small incision may be visible on the ventral abdomen, typically closed with sutures or surgical glue that form a thin line. Within a few days, the incision heals, leaving a faint scar that may be slightly raised or pigmented.
Additional characteristics include:
- Reduced size of the scrotal area, often appearing as a smooth, hair‑covered flap.
- Absence of the characteristic bulge that intact males exhibit when the testicles descend.
- Possible mild swelling around the incision site during the first postoperative week; swelling subsides as tissue regenerates.
- Hair growth patterns remain unchanged; the coat retains its normal coloration and density unless a separate dermatological condition is present.
- No visible external reproductive organs; the ventral abdomen presents a continuous smooth surface from the sternum to the pelvis.
Overall, the rat’s external morphology remains consistent with that of an adult female or intact male, except for the flattened scrotum and the healed surgical mark. The changes are subtle but discernible upon close inspection.