Friday 28 February 2014

Neutering for Dogs and Cats

 Neutering is the collective word used for castrating and spaying - the removal of sex glands to prevent unwanted breeding.

I have mentioned my views on neutering in some of the previous posts, or if I know you in person and have stumbled onto the topic.  There is a rather large misconception regarding neutering, certain people perceive it as unethical and unnatural; others are in favour as it reduces the population of animals, which in turn reduces the number which are abandoned, homeless or neglected.

Percieved myths and truths according to Dr. Dawn Bookmyer, DVM 
  • Neutering a pet does not change the animal’s basic personality. In fact, spaying or neutering an animal often makes for a better pet. Many objectionable behaviors, such as urine marking, roaming and fighting, may be greatly reduced after neutering.
  • Spaying or neutering only removes a pet’s reproductive ability. Neutering does not alter the “gender” of the animal any more than a hysterectomy or vasectomy changes the gender of humans.
  • The ability to reproduce has no bearing on a pet’s happiness. While it’s natural to want to assign human emotions to our pets, we need to remember that the primary basis for a happy pet is a loving home – something that millions of animals will never have, due to the tragedy of pet overpopulation.
  • Spaying and neutering does not lead to obesity. While metabolic changes may cause pets to add a little weight, the primary cause of obesity in animals is the same as humans – too much food and not enough exercise.
  • The risks of the surgery are minimal – especially compared to the medical problems of unneutered pets. Unneutered animals are at greater risk for infections and cancers of the uterus, prostate, mammaries and testicles. And although most vets like to do the surgery when a pet is between 6 and 9 months old, animals of any age will generally see health benefits.

     Health Risks:

    Of neutering:

    • Spaying is thought to increase the chance or urinary incontinence later in life, however, if this does occur it is usually treatable.
    •  Occasionally haemorraging may occur either immedietly following or up to 7 days afterwards so a close eye needed.
    • Spaying is considered major surgery because it involves entering the abdomen, however, vets consider the procedure very safe and even routine.

    Of not neutering:


    •  Pyometra (an infection of the womb which requires an operation (of removal of the uterus), intravenous fluids, antibiotics and spaying and is a risky procedure - much more risky than spaying normally and sometimes fatal - as the uterus is filled with pus.)
    • Neutering may help with behavioural problems and can reduce aggression, reduce possessiveness over toys and food, reduce territorial behaviour towards visitors and reduce the tendency to roam in search of a mate. (A study in male cats showed that there was a post-op decline in fighting - 88% - roaming - 94% - and urine - spraying - 88%)
    • Neutering eliminates the occurrence of testicular cancer (especially important to neuter those whose testicles do not naturally decend by 6-9months.
    • Neutering markedly reduces the incidence of benign hyperplasia of the prostate gland, prostatitis and perineal hernias in dogs.
    • A bitch spayed before her first season has very little chance of developing breast cancer.  Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and 90 percent of female cats. Every season involves a surge of hormones that significantly increase her chance of developing breast cancer.
     For an older, seriously ill animal, anesthesia and surgery are complicated - often fatal -and costly.

The process itself: 

 Timing:  

N/A for male animals.
For female it is easier and safer to operate between seasons due to the increased blood supply to the uterus when an animal is in season. Usually spayed 3 months after their first season.  Bitches an also be spayed as early as 8-10 weeks of age and kittens at 3-4 months old but check with your vet for their policies.
  • Many people may opt for pre-anesthesia bloods which check your animal's liver and kidney function because these organs break down and remove anesthesia from the body after surgery (which is especially important for older animals due to the deterioration of these functions with age).
  • The animal is put under general anaesthetic by injection of any of pentobarbital, thiopental, ketamine hydrochloride (if in cats given xylazine to prevent excitable behaviour on recovery), alfadolone/alfaxalone (though used with caution because in dogs it may cause allegic reaction), or propofol which is commonly used, and the vet nurses check the heart rate and breathing rate throughout the operation (in countries that have vet nurses) and if the vet practice has a gas machine then the animal is kept at a stable level using oxygen and isoflurane (induction of anaesthesia and recovery are more rapid with isoflurane than with halothane.

Spaying - (Ovario-hysterectomy)

The surgeon makes a small incision in your animal's flank (belly area) and removes the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus.  Then the vet sutures (stiches) the attachments and sutures or glues all the layers of muscle and skin back together with surgical glue.

Castration

The vet opens the scrotum and coverings of the testicle by a linear incision, brings the organ up through these structures so easily accessible, dividing the spermatic chord quite far above the epididymis which lies on the testicle in such a way that haemorraging does not occur.

After the operation:

  • Animals may find it hard to regulate their temperature so may chill so keep warm with lots of blankets and keep and eye on them also usually sleepy and wobbly.
  • May be queasy and unwilling to eat or after eating vomit.  So avoid large meals and feed small amounts of light, easy to digest food such as chicken and rice or scrambled egg.
  • Keep close eye on wounds and use a buster collar or T-shirt to prevent licking if you can.
  • REST.  Do not allow off-lead exercise and ask the vet for guidelines as regards to exercise levels.

From Dogchannel.com when to call your vet: (always call your vet if you have any other concerns other than on this list)

  • A reopened incision.
  • Abnormal swelling of the incision area (some swelling is normal).
  • Dark red or purple discoloration.
  • Bloody or thick discharge from the incision.
  • Foul odors from the incision area, which could indicate an infection.
  • Continued lethargy or if your dog doesn't seem to get better after a few days.


Unless you are a professional breeder, spaying and neutering your animals is the kindest and most responsible action you can take, not only for your own pet, but for cats and dogs everywhere.