Neutering is beneficial for most pets.
By: Dr. Daniel Eubanks
Some of the questions asked most frequently by my clients regard neutering their dog or cat.
"Should I have my pet neutered and if so, why?" "What effect will it have on their temperament?" "What are the advantages or drawbacks?"
Let’s examine the concept of neutering and answer these questions.
First to clarify some terminology. Neuter literally means the sex organs are removed. Therefore, the term neutered can be used to describe either a male or female that has been sterilized.
Spay refers specifically to a female pet, which has been surgically sterilized by ovariohysterectomy removal of the ovaries and uterus.
In the male, the surgical sterilization is castration. Altered is another term used to denote a pet’s gender status has been changed to a neutral or asexual status.
In common everyday language, however, females that have been rendered sterile are referred to as "spayed," and males are described as "neutered." I think most folks, especially men, instinctively tend to avoid the use of the harsh term castrated.
I’ll proceed using the term neutered to refer to either gender, which has been surgically sterilized.
What are the effects of neutering, and who stands to benefit? Well, just about everyone involved is better off, and here’s why.
First, society benefits because the sterilization prevents adding to the ever-increasing problem of dog and cat over-population. Animal shelters, teeming with homeless and unwanted animals, are forced to euthanize thousands of innocent creatures every year. We can and should do our part to minimize this tragedy.
Next, neutering provides a myriad of advantages for the pet owner, and it’s all about hormones. Spayed females do not come into heat (estrous cycle), do not attract a front yard full of male suitors and do not bear unwanted litters.
Neutering males reduces or eliminates a host of testosterone-related behavioral problems such a territoriality, wandering and inter-male aggression. Tom cats spraying and male dogs lifting their leg on anything vertical is prevented in most cases. The distinctively horrible odor unique to intact male (Tom) cat urine is preventable with early neutering.
Finally, there are many medical benefits for the patient. Yes, neutering your pet is actually good for them also!
Female dogs and cats frequently develop breast cancer and/or serious reproductive tract disorders later in life. These conditions are quite serious and have needlessly claimed the lives of many pets. Timely spaying literally prevents these diseases from occurring.
Intact male dogs suffer from several testosterone-induced diseases later in life. These include multiple prostate problems, perianal tumors and a serious type of hernia that is unique to uncastrated male dogs. Non-neutered male cats can spend an awful lot of time in the hospital with debilitating and expensive fighting injuries.
Are there any side effects from neutering? One legitimate possibility is that a very low percentage of spayed female dogs might develop an estrogen deficiency urinary incontinence syndrome later in life. This is easily controlled, however, with one of several inexpensive drugs. The incidence of this disorder is less than 10 percent of spayed female dogs.
Most of the other "side effects" are myths, conjured up by our own hang-ups and misconceptions about sterilization. Neutering does not produce a calming effect nor does it alter temperament.
The pet’s disposition, character and personality prior to the neutering are the same after neutering. It does not make them lethargic, indifferent, vegetative or dopey. It does not make a docile pet out of an unruly pet. What you see before is what you get after.
Are there options as to the method of neutering? Surgical ovariohysterectomy (spay) or castration (neuter) are the only tried-and-true procedures. No medical sterilization or contraceptive agent thus far has proven effective and without horrendous side effects.
Tubal ligation and vasectomy do not accomplish the majority of the goals of neutering. Sterility is achieved, but the hormones still are flowing, and so none of the other benefits are attained.
When is the best time to neuter? It is almost universally agreed within the profession females should be spayed at six months and males at six to nine months of age. Myths still abound here, also.
Waiting until after their first heat cycle or after having a litter does not affect a female dog’s temperament or personality one way or the other. Timely neutering and, thus, the removal of sex hormones is crucial in order to attain the preventative effect on breast cancer, prostate problems, etc. Procrastination simply voids these valuable prophylactic benefits.
Considering the benefits vs. harm index, neutering is really a no-brainer. In my opinion, the only reason not to neuter a pet is if a legitimate "planned parenthood" litter is justified.
Do society, yourself and your pet a favor and have neutering performed in a timely manner.