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When Is The Best Time To Spay And Neuter Pets?


by Dr. Gregory Todd


When contemplating neutering and spay- ing pets, two questions always seem in the forefront of the family’s mind. These are first, “Do I need to spay or neuter my pet?” and second, “When is the best time to spay or neuter my pet?” Both of these are very valid and


important questions. Certain criteria can help guide pet families and rescue organ- izations to the correct answer. With regards to the first question, “Should I spay or neuter my pet?” the answer is generally yes. When making any decision involv-


ing invasive medical procedures, the answer should always be assessed on a risk to benefit ratio. The benefits side of the equation may be divided into two por- tions, birth control and health benefits. Obviously spay-neuter procedures


for pets eliminates the concerns regarding unwanted litters.This is an important consideration for rescue organizations and pet parents. There may be multiple intact dogs in the same household creat- ing stress during Estrus or heat cycles. If multiple pets are intact there is the risk of pregnancy. For rescue organizations, it is important to spay or neuter prior to plac- ing the pet in a forever home as compli- ance may become an issue. Every year millions of unwanted dogs, puppies, cats and kittens are euthanized because there are no homes for them. The importance of gaining some control over this terrible epidemic can not be overstated. As pet parents and concerned citizens, the bene- fit of spaying and neutering as a tool in this issue must be discussed. Birth control and stress during heat cycles are not the only considerations. When making the decision to spay or neuter, one must look at the benefits associated with the proce- dure or with remaining intact. Recent research has shown signifi-


cant benefits are derived from sex hor- mones. These include decreases in the incidence of several commonly occurring cancers such as osteosarcoma, heman- giosarcoma, transitional cell carcinoma and prostatic carcinoma. Additionally, there is less incidence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, cognitive dysfunction and


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hypothyroidism. The timing of the proce- dure is also important. Waiting until pets are one year of age or more before spay/neuter also dramatically reduces the incidence of the diseases just mentioned. By the age of one year, most pets are sex- ually mature. On the other hand, spay/neuter decreases the risk of cancers of the ovaries and testicles. It decreases pyometra, an infection of the uterus which can be life threatening. It decreases perineal and inguinal hernias. Perineal


spaying and neutering, the American College of Theriogenology (ACT), the certifying agency for veterinarians who specialize in reproduction; and the Society for Theriogenology (SFT), a group of veterinarians with special inter- ests in reproduction, states “companion animals not intended for breeding should be spayed or neutered.” However, both organizations believe that the decision to spay or neuter a pet must be made on a case by case basis, taking into considera- tion the pet’s age, breed, sex, intended use, household environment and tempera- ment. The use of generalized rules con- cerning gonadectomy (removal of the ovaries or testes) is not in the best interest of the health or well-being of the pets or their owners. In some instances, pets who are not


hernias are hernias or rents in the muscles next to the anus. Repair of these hernias can be challenging, often requiring sur- gery.


One of the strongest arguments for


spaying dogs is the reduction in the incidence of mammary carcinoma. Mammary carcinoma or breast cancer is malignant in dogs 60% of the time and 90% of the time in cats. Spaying dogs before the first heat cycle reduces the reported incidence of this disease to zero. Spaying after the first heat and before the second reduces the incidence by 75%. This fact has long been a strong factor in early spay and neuter recommendations by family veterinarians. However, if we look at the incidence of this disease as compared with the list of other diseases whose incidence is decreased by waiting to spay, the benefit shifts away from the early spay. In a position letter on mandatory


altered until late in life may enjoy higher life quality by remaining intact. But it can create a physiologic stress for some pets. In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), loss of the sex hor- mones later in life (after age six years) may place undue stress on the Kidney, which may manifest as fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, thyroid disease or Cushings. These cases are very few and in general apply to pets above the age of six years. In summary, the question of


whether to spay or neuter or to leave our pets intact must be made on a case by case basis. While many of the health benefits of sex hormones seem to sway the argu- ment towards being intact, it must be said that spaying and neutering at or after one year of age offer a similar reduction in these diseases. Also, the concerns of roaming, unwanted pregnancy, stress between pets in the same household dur- ing Estrus, are all significant factors which should impact the decision. The common consensus among veterinarians who spe- cialize in reproduction is that pets who do not need to remain intact as part of their lifestyle or function, should be neutered. The procedure, however, should be per- formed after sexual maturity or after one year of age. Only the families involved can decide what is best for their pets and themselves.


U Winter ~ 2014/15 THE NEW BARKER 75


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