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Never has a single topic in veterinary medicine and animal control been so misunderstood. Far as common as the procedure is, myths and misconceptions abound. Here, hopefully, are some facts to set the record straight.
The Procedures:
Neutering, or the surgical removal of the sexual organs in animals, is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by veterinarians. In males, the proper term is castration, which involves removing the testicles from the scrotal sac through a small incision. In females, the proper term is ovariohysterectomy, although it is more commonly called a spay. This surgery is a little more invasive than castration as the abdomen must be opened to allow removal of the entire uterus and ovaries and the tying off or ligation of the associated blood vessels. Both are surgical procedures and therefore carry the normal risks of anesthesia. In healthy animals, this risk is minimal. Complications can occur after any surgery, but following your veterinarian's advice on post operative care will minimize these as well. The most common complications are post operative swelling and animals pulling out their sutures.
The Benefits:
Better health - Mammary tumors are the second most common tumor in the female dog and is almost always malignant, yet spaying before the first heat decreases your pet's chance of developing this cancer to almost 0%. After just one heat cycle, the chance jumps to about 20%. Spaying also eliminates the development of ovarian tumors, pyometra (pus-filled uterus), metritis (inflammation of the uterus) and endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus). Castration in male animals eliminates the chance of developing testicular tumors and also greatly reduces the chances of developing certain diseases of the prostate.
Better behavior - Anyone who has been in a room with a cat in heat will tell you how annoying they can get as they yowl at the windows and doors and rub themselves on anything they can. Female cats are induced ovulators, which means they tend to stay in heat for long periods of time unless mated. Female dogs are not as blatant, only coming into heat roughly twice a year for about 2 weeks at a time, but they bleed and attract every intact stray male within a 2 mile radius. Don't think that a fence will keep out these amorous suitors either. Male dogs have been known to scale 8 foot fences and jump through windows to reach the object of their desires. Which brings us to male dogs. Neutering will tend to keep your male dog closer to home instead of out roaming in search of a mate where he is more likely to be hit by a car. In fact, the greatest percentage of dogs found dead in the road are intact males. He will also be less likely to urine mark your house. In some cases, castration can reduce aggression, but this does not always happen due to the many factors involved in aggressive behavior. Male cats enjoy the same benefits and are also less likely to seek out fights with other male cats.
Population control - Here are some depressing numbers for you. In 1998, St. Charles Parish Animal Control collected 1,959 animals. Of those 1,354 (about 70%) had to be euthanized. This year in St. John the Baptist Parish, the percentage of animals euthanized is running at around 80%. This is despite the employees best efforts to promote adoptions. The national slogan of the SPCA is correct: when animals are allowed to breed unchecked, there are just not enough homes for them all.
The Excuses:
It is cruel to deprive my animal the pleasure of sex. There is absolutely no evidence that animals crave sex for pleasure. For them it is purely a biological function driven by hormones. I have never seen a female dog not in heat let a male mate with her.
I don't want my animal to get fat. While it is true that most animals will gain weight after neutering, this is more due to the behavioral changes such as ceasing roaming. This weight gain is easily controlled with diet and exercise.
My dog is a guard dog and neutering will blunt his edge. This is untrue. Territorial behavior is not greatly affected by neutering, unless you want them to defend their territory more against other dogs. If anything, it will make them better as they will stay closer to your property instead of running off after a female.
I want to make money from selling the puppies. This is a legitimate reason for not neutering, provided the dog comes of good bloodlines and is free from health and personality defects that can be passed on to the offspring. However, never consider breeding as a source of easy money. Breeding animals require special care, such as tests for sexually transmitted diseases such as brucellosis, proper nutrition, vaccinations, and parasite control. This can be quite expensive, especially if there are unforseen complications with the birth. Also, due to overproduction by amateur breeders, many popular breeds have suffered from a glut of puppies so prices are not as high as might be thought.
There are other excuses, many based on emotions, that I do not have the room to address here, but they remain just that - excuses. The truth is that neutered animals tend to live longer, happier and healthier lives.
The Procedures:
Neutering, or the surgical removal of the sexual organs in animals, is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by veterinarians. In males, the proper term is castration, which involves removing the testicles from the scrotal sac through a small incision. In females, the proper term is ovariohysterectomy, although it is more commonly called a spay. This surgery is a little more invasive than castration as the abdomen must be opened to allow removal of the entire uterus and ovaries and the tying off or ligation of the associated blood vessels. Both are surgical procedures and therefore carry the normal risks of anesthesia. In healthy animals, this risk is minimal. Complications can occur after any surgery, but following your veterinarian's advice on post operative care will minimize these as well. The most common complications are post operative swelling and animals pulling out their sutures.
The Benefits:
Better health - Mammary tumors are the second most common tumor in the female dog and is almost always malignant, yet spaying before the first heat decreases your pet's chance of developing this cancer to almost 0%. After just one heat cycle, the chance jumps to about 20%. Spaying also eliminates the development of ovarian tumors, pyometra (pus-filled uterus), metritis (inflammation of the uterus) and endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus). Castration in male animals eliminates the chance of developing testicular tumors and also greatly reduces the chances of developing certain diseases of the prostate.
Better behavior - Anyone who has been in a room with a cat in heat will tell you how annoying they can get as they yowl at the windows and doors and rub themselves on anything they can. Female cats are induced ovulators, which means they tend to stay in heat for long periods of time unless mated. Female dogs are not as blatant, only coming into heat roughly twice a year for about 2 weeks at a time, but they bleed and attract every intact stray male within a 2 mile radius. Don't think that a fence will keep out these amorous suitors either. Male dogs have been known to scale 8 foot fences and jump through windows to reach the object of their desires. Which brings us to male dogs. Neutering will tend to keep your male dog closer to home instead of out roaming in search of a mate where he is more likely to be hit by a car. In fact, the greatest percentage of dogs found dead in the road are intact males. He will also be less likely to urine mark your house. In some cases, castration can reduce aggression, but this does not always happen due to the many factors involved in aggressive behavior. Male cats enjoy the same benefits and are also less likely to seek out fights with other male cats.
Population control - Here are some depressing numbers for you. In 1998, St. Charles Parish Animal Control collected 1,959 animals. Of those 1,354 (about 70%) had to be euthanized. This year in St. John the Baptist Parish, the percentage of animals euthanized is running at around 80%. This is despite the employees best efforts to promote adoptions. The national slogan of the SPCA is correct: when animals are allowed to breed unchecked, there are just not enough homes for them all.
The Excuses:
It is cruel to deprive my animal the pleasure of sex. There is absolutely no evidence that animals crave sex for pleasure. For them it is purely a biological function driven by hormones. I have never seen a female dog not in heat let a male mate with her.
I don't want my animal to get fat. While it is true that most animals will gain weight after neutering, this is more due to the behavioral changes such as ceasing roaming. This weight gain is easily controlled with diet and exercise.
My dog is a guard dog and neutering will blunt his edge. This is untrue. Territorial behavior is not greatly affected by neutering, unless you want them to defend their territory more against other dogs. If anything, it will make them better as they will stay closer to your property instead of running off after a female.
I want to make money from selling the puppies. This is a legitimate reason for not neutering, provided the dog comes of good bloodlines and is free from health and personality defects that can be passed on to the offspring. However, never consider breeding as a source of easy money. Breeding animals require special care, such as tests for sexually transmitted diseases such as brucellosis, proper nutrition, vaccinations, and parasite control. This can be quite expensive, especially if there are unforseen complications with the birth. Also, due to overproduction by amateur breeders, many popular breeds have suffered from a glut of puppies so prices are not as high as might be thought.
There are other excuses, many based on emotions, that I do not have the room to address here, but they remain just that - excuses. The truth is that neutered animals tend to live longer, happier and healthier lives.
by Dr. Jennifer Raulerson
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