Neutering
There are mixed views on neutering pets among owners at present. Many owners are reluctant to put their pet through an anaesthetic and surgery and feel it is an unnecessary risk to their wellbeing. Usually cost is an issue, some people don’t like the idea of tampering with nature and there are many old fashioned myths in circulation declaring that it is healthier to allow animals to breed first before neutering etc. There are lots of health and behavioural benefits to neutering both male and female pets which will be outlined below.
One of the first and most important benefits of neutering is to prevent reproduction and the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens. One female cat can potentially produce up to 15 kittens in a single breeding season so in her lifetime she can go on to be the ancestor of a scarily large number of kittens, most of which end up as strays or euthanized. Anyone who has experienced breeding a litter of puppies knows how much hard work is involved and how expensive it can be to rear the litter especially if things go wrong e.g. caesarean section, deformed/sick puppies, not enough milk production by the bitch and the list is endless. Unfortunately the number of unwanted dogs and cats in pet shelters is horrifying and the large number of pregnant animals they take in does nothing to help the situation.
If bitches are not being used for breeding purposes then we strongly recommend early spaying to prevent future health problems including pyometra, mammary tumours, ovarian tumours/cysts, uterine tumours and pseudopregnancies. Bitches can either be neutered as young as 6 months old before they have their first heat or 2-3 months after their first heat.
Male dogs can be neutered as young as 6 months old. It decreases unwanted behaviour like marking his territory with urine, wandering after bitches and dominance aggression. The health benefits are preventing testicular tumours and decreasing the incidence of prostate problems and some hormone responsive anal tumours.
Female cats can be neutered once they reach a sufficient size – usually 5-6 months old. This prevents your cat going through behavioural changes associated with heats and prevents her contracting feline AIDs through mating. Spaying also prevents pyometra, mammary gland problems, uterine and ovarian tumours.
Male cats can be neutered once they are of a sufficient size – usually 5-6 months old. This prevents infection with feline AIDs through mating, decreases roaming and fighting with other cats and stops spraying of strong smelling urine in the house.
When animals are neutered their daily calorific requirement decreases by approximately 25%. It is important that owners make the required adjustments in their pets diet after neutering otherwise their animals will put on weight which is the most common complaint owners have about neutering. These operations are offered at a very reasonable cost with minimal risk to your pet but it is important that owners contact the vet clinic and speak to a vet if they need more advice, have specific questions or would like to know more about the procedure.
Updated 05-01-2011
