As Veterinarians, we are often asked about the risk and rewards of spaying and neutering our dogs and cats.

In considering the risks, even though spaying is an extremely common surgery, it is still considered major surgery and should be treated as such. Typically these animals are young and healthy and are in the lowest risk category and problems should be extremely rare. Neutering, being a less invasive surgery, should have even rarer complications.

I think of the benefits in major categories; health benefits, behavioral benefits, and pet over population issues.

The health benefits of neutering include eliminating testicular cancer, decreasing prostate hypertrophy up to 80%, and decreasing prostate cancers and certain types of perianal cancers. Spaying eliminates ovarian and uterine cancers and pyometras (deadly uterine infections) seen in older intact females after heat cycles. Spaying before the first heat cycle decreases mammary cancer by up to 95% and the percentage decrease is lessened with each heat cycle. I have recently seen articles linking early spaying / neutering with an increased risk of certain traumatic ligament injuries (anterior cruciate ligament rupture) although no definitive studies have been reported.

Behavioral benefits of spaying / neutering may be an even more important benefit to your pet. Neutering dramatically reduces inter dog / cat aggression as well as wandering. Many of the pet health insurances will not cover being hit by a car in an unaltered male. With females, dealing with the pet in heat; bleeding, vocalizing, roaming, and possible unwanted pregnancies occurs twice a year in dogs and monthly in cats. My associate, Dr. Jaime Clevenger DVM did a research grant through UC Davis which showed dogs spayed or neutered prior to entering the animal shelters had a much higher chance of being adopted and a lower euthanasia rate primarily due to behavioral factors. Urine marking behavior is a common problem more often associated with males and its incidence is much higher in unaltered males. This problem can lead to the euthanasia of the pet if uncorrectable.

We should all understand the benefits of spaying/neutering to the pet overpopulation problem. Millions of pets of pets are needlessly put to death in this country each year due to pet overpopulation. Dr Lexie Endo, my other associate is currently on a spay/neuter mission in the Galapagos. As ecotourism increased, hotels and businesses moved to the islands to accommodate tourists. These local workers brought their pets which are now reproducing unchecked threatening this fragile ecosystem. A group of veterinarians volunteered to go there and spay and neuter as many pets as possible and educate the locals as the importance of the project.

When is the best time to spay your pet? That depends on several factors including breed, temperament, and living conditions (indoor/outdoor, other pets) and you should consult with your veterinarian.

In conclusion, spaying/neutering your pet will help ensure a healthier more adjusted pet and ease the burden of pet overpopulation and needless euthanasia of unwanted pets. All of us should consider this one of the most important responsibilities of owning a pet. If you have any further questions or comments feel free to contact me or my associates at http://oaktreevet.com.