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| There is a certain celebrity who became famous while hosting a TV game show. He also gained notoriety for his tagline at the end of each show, which asked viewers to spay and neuter their pets. The cause was so important to him that when he retired, his replacement decided to continue the tradition. There are other options for pet owners, however, making it important to have a little more information. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org), surgical sterilization involves the removal of reproductive organs. “If your cat or dog is a female, the veterinarian will usually remove her ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.” The medical name for this surgery is an ovariohysterectomy, although it is commonly called “spaying.” If your pet is a male, the testicles are removed, and the operation is called an orchiectomy. This is commonly referred to as castration or simply “neutering.” The AVMA adds that while these are serious surgical procedures, they are very common and are routinely performed. The animal is given an exam to ensure that they are otherwise healthy, and general anesthesia is used to sedate the animal. Pain medicine is administered to help with healing, and may be sent home with the owner. Because there is an incision, it is advisable to keep your pet in a quiet and relaxed state while they recover, with minimal activities such as jumping and running. Once a pet is spayed or neutered, it eliminates the animal’s ability to reproduce. Dogs and cats are commonly spayed and neutered, but other pets such as rabbits can also be surgically sterilized. If your pet is going to be contained or confined away from other animals, surgical sterilization may not be necessary to prohibit it from reproducing. Pets such as birds and reptiles are relatively easy to keep isolated and contained, and the chances of them coming into contact with other animals and reproducing can be eliminated for the most part. Surgical intervention is usually more dangerous than of any benefit to these smaller animals. There are a few other nonsurgical products used for birth control for pets, but they are not widely used or approved for use as contraception in animals. Pharmaceutical solutions for nonsurgical castration or sterility have been discovered, and some are in use overseas. According to the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (www.acc-d.org), “Thorough investigation and approval of products is time-consuming and expensive, and requires substantial investment not only from scientists, but also from pharmaceutical companies and investors.” Three products have been approved: Neutersol in the U.S., Suprelorin in Australia and New Zealand, and Gonazon in the European Union. Each product has attractive features as well as limitations. A product is not yet available for cats. At this time, even Neutersol is unavailable in the U.S. According to the ACC&D, “Neutersol was originally introduced in the U.S. in 2003, and was available until the patent-holder and original distributor severed ties in early 2005.” Oral contraceptives are available for female dogs, but their efficacy is questionable. They also come with side effects such as liver damage, personality changes, sterility, uterine infections, and mammarian cancer. Birth control for companion animals is becoming increasingly necessary for many reasons. The ACC&D says, “If ‘overpopulation’ is defined as more animals than humans find convenient, most of the world has overpopulation. Feral (unsocialized to humans), stray, or homeless cats and dogs are present to a greater or lesser degree in every country on earth. In the U.S. alone, an estimated four million dogs and cats die in animal shelters every year.” The Humane Society (www.humanesociety.org) adds, “The most important thing to know about spaying and neutering is that it saves lives. In every community in every U.S. state, there are animals sitting in animal shelters waiting for homes. Only about half of those dogs and cats will ever get one. The other half will be euthanized.” The reasons that owners sometimes resist surgically altering their pets vary from being unable to afford the procedure, to being concerned about the animal’s health, to wanting to “clone” a special pet, to not wanting their dog or cat to be “less male.” Fortunately, many communities have low- or no-cost clinics where pets can be spayed and neutered. The procedure is said to improve the animal’s health (it can lower the risk of cancer, for example). Most animal welfare organizations universally agree that spaying and neutering pets gives existing animals the best chance for a loving lifetime home. So how do you know which option is going to be the best choice for your pet? Your veterinarian is the best person to start with. He or she can educate you on the available options and make a recommendation based on your pet and the individual circumstances of your household. Unless you are an animal breeder or your pet has serious health complications, most veterinarians will recommend spaying or neutering your animal. The AVMA says, “Both surgeries prevent unwanted litters and eliminate many of the behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct.” If you choose to spay or neuter your pet, your veterinarian can also advise you when the surgery should be done. Keep in mind that adolescent animals as young as 5 months old can begin reproducing. Some vets will spay or neuter at the age of 8 weeks, or once the animal reaches two pounds. It is also important to note that while fertility decreases with age, pets may still have the ability to reproduce well into their senior years. As long as your animal is in good general health, there is no upper age limit to spaying and neutering. If you choose containment as a birth control option for your pet, the same age ranges apply: They should be kept away from other animals by the time they reach sexual maturity throughout the lifetime of the animal. Working closely with your veterinarian is crucial no matter what method of birth control you use for your pet. Consider your vet as your partner and resource in maintaining a happy and healthy way of life for your pet and your family. |
Spaying & Neutering Pets |
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