DESEXING YOUR PET
Humans have been neutering animals for thousands of years. Records from the 7th century report that the Scythians castrated their war horses in order to improve their behaviour and decrease fighting among the stallions. Desexing dogs and cats have only become commonplace in the past 100 years. The modern practice of desexing dogs and cats developed as a way to control the population size of these animals. As recently as the 1950s, the principal method of population control was euthanasia of the excess animals. Much has changed since then, and these days we consider euthanasia as an absolute last resort. In modern animal keeping practice, it has become the norm to keep animals that are desexed, and leaving animals intact is considered the exception.
There are a number or terms that are commonly used to described the various ways in which to desex animals. In males, the most common terms are castration or neutering. In females, we refer to the procedure as speying (also spelled spaying in some countries), but the term neutering can also be used. In both males, the testicles are typically removed surgically through a small incision just in front of the scrotum. In females, both the ovaries
and the uterus is removed through an incision just behind the belly button. Some vets may perform a variation of these basic surgeries in some situations, such as removing the ovaries but not the uterus, or performing the surgery through an incision in the flank, rather than the mid-line of the belly. In both dogs and cats, the procedure is done under full anaesthesia in order to eliminate pain during surgery. It is common practice to tattoo the
ear of the animal at the same time, so as to make it easier to determine whether an animal has been desexed.
REASONS FOR DESEXING
As discussed earlier, the initial reason for desexing dogs and cats was primarily to prevent them from breeding. There are a number of additional benefits to desexing your pet. Removing the ovaries and testicles can alter some behaviours associated with the effects of sex hormones like testosterone. This is particularly important in males, where intact dogs and tomcats will mark their territory, and be more likely to get into fights because of territorial behaviour. This also affects the spread of diseases like FIV in cats, which is usually transmitted in cat fights. By removing the ovaries and testicles, we also eliminate the development of cancer in these organs. Other cancers like mammary cancer can also be reduced in females by between 70 and 90%, if the dog is speyed before they come onto heat for the first time. In males, prostate enlargement and cancer can also be
prevented with neutering. One of the most prominent reasons for speying female dogs, is the risk of pyometra, or uterus infections. Some studies have shown that this terrible condition develops in as many as one if four intact female dogs. About one in ten dogs that develop the condition dies in spite of treatment.
DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF DESEXING
There are some potential negative effects that you should also be aware of when deciding on whether to desex your pet or not. Because these procedures are done under full anaesthetic, there is always a small risk of an anaesthetic complication. Modern anaesthetics and monitoring equipment have made these risks very small and manageable, but you should discuss any concerns with your vet prior to the surgery.
Putting the patient on a drip during surgery and doing blood tests prior to surgery has become the norm, and you should insist on safety measures like these when your pet goes under anaesthetic for any reason. The incidence of some cancers can also be increased by the absence of the sex hormones. If your dog has a family history of haemangiosarcoma, bladder or bone cancer, this might be of importance. In recent years, evidence has also been found to suggest that desexing especially large breed dogs at a young age may increase their risk of knee injuries later on in life. In the majority of animals, these risks are limited, and they generally do not come close to outweighing the benefits. If you have any concerns regarding these risks, have an open discussion with your vet.
ALTERNATIVES TO NEUTERING
Modern science has provided us with a new alternatives to surgically removing the gonads. In male dogs, we can now use a slow release hormone inhibitor to counteract the production of testosterone. The product is registered under the name Suprelorin, and can be administered in the consult room without anaesthesia. The Suprelorin implants are available in 6 and 12 month formulations, depending on the needs of the owner. Suprelorin
has just about all of the benefits of surgical desexing, whilst circumventing all of the negative effects. I expect that non-surgical solutions like these will become more prevalent in the years to come.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN MY PET GOES IN TO BE “FIXED”?
Surgical desexing is usually done as a day procedure in most clinics. Animals are usually dropped off at the clinic first thing in the morning, and are sent home in the afternoon. Most animals recover remarkably quickly from anaesthetic, and are usually not particularly drowsy by the time they go home. This is not true in all cases however, and you might find that your pet is still a bit dopey for a few hours. They are usually sent home with an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from licking their wounds. Most vet practices will also send home pain killers for a few days. Please make sure to follow your vet’s instructions regarding the collar and the drugs. A follow-up visit is usually booked a week or so later to remove external stitches and to inspect the would line.
LEGAL ASPECTS OF DESEXING
Your local council may have particular rules relating to desexing animals. In a lot of cases, municipal councils will discount your pet’s registration fee significantly if they are desexed. There is often a grace period for registering new puppies, whereas other councils may charge you the discounted rate if you sign a document promising to desex the animal within a specified period of time. Please respect the rules imposed by your state and council, as they are aimed at improving the well-being of both pets, as well as our endangered wildlife.
If you have any questions, give us a call today and we will certainly be more than happy to answer them and explain specifics about how desexing is done at your clinic.
