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Spay and neuter Q & A
(Information courtesy of the Doris
Day Animal Foundation)
Question: What are spaying and neutering?
Answer: Spaying and neutering are simple, safe
surgical procedures that stop an animal from being able to have
babies. Females are spayed, and males are neutered (although the
word "neuter" may also be applied to a group of animals
of mixed or unknown gender). The clinical name for "spay"
is ovariohysterectomy. When a female is spayed, her ovaries and
uterus are removed. The clinical name for "neuter" is
orchidectomy. When a male is neutered, his testicles are removed.
Question: Does spaying and neutering
hurt?
Answer: Any discomfort an animal experiences is minimal,
and well outweighs the suffering and death caused by uncurbed breeding.
Veterinarians perform spay and neuter surgeries under a general
anesthetic. Animals usually return to normal activity within 24
to 72 hours. According to VetCentric.com, "most cats will heal
very easily and quickly," and "most dogs show no signs
of discomfort from the procedure." In fact, some dogs "may
attempt to resume their normal level of activity immediately after
surgery." This, of course, should be monitored to ensure that
the animal does not aggravate the incision.
Question: Does spaying and neutering
provide any other health benefits?
Answer: Yes. In both cats and dogs, spaying greatly
reduces the risk of breast cancer and prevents various reproductive
tract disorders. Neutering often resolves undesirable behaviors
such as aggression, spraying, and roaming, and eliminates the risk
of various testicular diseases.
Question: Can animals younger than six
months of age be spayed or neutered?
Answer: Yes. Although animals have traditionally been
altered at six months, many veterinarians are now practicing pediatric
(also known as "early-age") spay/neuter surgery, which
can be performed on animals as young as six weeks. Doctors practicing
this technique report that the surgery is significantly easier and
quicker to perform; guardians who have had pediatric spay/neuter
performed on their animals report fewer medical problems than those
who have older animals altered; and spaying or neutering homeless
animals before adopting them out is the best way to ensure unwanted
births do not occur.
Question: Doesn't spaying and neutering
make animals less protective?
Answer: No. Any changes brought about by spaying or
neutering are generally positive. Neutered male cats usually stop
territorial spraying. Neutered dogs and cats tend to fight less
and are less likely to become lost due to straying from home in
search of a mate. Spayed animals do not go into heat or need to
be confined indoors to avoid pregnancy. Animals do not become less
protective or loyal to their guardians as a result of being altered.
Question: Is it really necessary to
neuter males? Males don't give birth!
Answer: The old saying "it takes two to tango"
is as true for animals as it is for humans. Even if you are very
careful to keep your male pet under control at all times, accidents
do happen and he may escape. In fact, he will likely try repeatedly
to escape, digging up your yard, scratching up your door, or chewing
off his restraint in the process. Males roaming in search of a mate
are susceptible to being injured by traffic and in fights with other
males. And while a female cat or dog can only have one litter at
a time, male animals can impregnate many females each day.
Question: Isn't spaying and neutering
expensive?
Answer: Although to some animal guardians the cost
of surgery may seem high initially, it's a real bargain when compared
with the cost of raising a litter of puppies or kittens. Spaying
and neutering also saves taxpayer dollars. According to a recent
study,* it costs some shelters an average of $176 to capture, house,
feed and eventually kill a homeless animal—a cost that ultimately
comes out of all our pockets. Most important of all, when you consider
the moral expense of killing millions of healthy, innocent beings
whom many of us consider "best friends," the cost of spay/neuter
surgery fades to insignificance.
While prices for spay/neuter surgery vary considerably,
many humane societies, welfare organizations, and municipal animal
care and control departments offer low cost spay/neuter services
for people who truly need them—those struggling to make ends
meet on a low income, animal rescue workers such as those who trap
and neuter feral cats, and Good Samaritans who are paying for someone
else's animal(s). Friends of Animals, for example, distributes low
cost spay/neuter vouchers through its national toll-free hotline:
1-800-321-PETS (1-800- 321-7387).
The bottom line, when adopting an animal, is you
assume responsibility for that animal's well-being. Spaying and
neutering is as vital to your pet's health and happiness as routine
physical examinations, good nutrition, grooming, playtime, and love.
Before you adopt an animal, you need to seriously consider whether
or not you are ready to take on the financial responsibility of
properly caring for one. If you have already adopted an unaltered
animal, it is your responsibility to have that animal spayed or
neutered regardless of cost.
* Wenstrup, John, and Alexis Dowidchuk, "Pet
Overpopulation: Data and Measurement Issues in Shelters," Journal
of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2(4), 1999, 303-319.
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