This Month's Topics

Neutering is routine surgical procedure conferring very definite health and behavioural benefits. Female cats, dogs and rabbits are spayed, a routine operation involving the surgical removal of the ovaries, uterus (womb) and part of the cervix, technically known as an ovariohysterectomy (or OHE). Castration for males involves the surgical removal of both testicles. Advantages and disadvantages of neutering are listed below (click on each to read more/reduce).

Tom Cats

• The prevention of unwanted kittens.

• Neutering will also significantly reduce the risk of your cat being exposed to FeLV and FIV. (Feline Leukaemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). These contagious diseases are usually fatal to an affected cat.

• Neutering also helps prevent urine spraying.

• Reduction of the strong tom cat odour and less smelly urine.

Queens (Female Cats)

• The prevention of unwanted kittens.

• Neutering will also significantly reduce the risk of your cat being exposed to FeLV and FIV. (Feline Leukaemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). These contagious diseases are usually fatal to an affected cat.

• No risk of pyometra (womb infections) or problems giving birth (often unattended).

Male Dogs

• Prevention of testicular cancer

• Reduced risk of prostatic disease in later life

• Unwanted puppies cannot be sired

• Reduction in sexual behaviour which can be inconvenient and embarrassing!

• In general a reduced tendency to roam

• In general decreased aggression and increased friendliness towards people and other dogs. This effect is variable and behavioural counselling may also be needed especially in older dogs with established behaviour patterns.

Bitches

• Prevention of seasons. Unspayed bitches will come into season for 3-4 weeks twice a year, with the first season usually occurring between 6 and 12 months of age. During a season a bitch is likely to roam, will drip blood and will attract male dogs from far and wide.

• No chance of unwanted puppies

• Almost 30% of unspayed bitches develop malignant mammary cancer in later life. Only 0.25% of bitches spayed before their first season with develop malignant mammary cancer. Bitches spayed between their first and second season also benefit from a greatly reduced risk. After the second season the main indication for spaying is to reduce the risk of pyometra.

• Pyometra is an infection of the uterus, a serious illness which requires an emergency ovariohysterectomy.

Bucks (Male Rabbits)

• No chance of unwanted litters

• Reduced sexual behaviour

• Reduced aggression towards other pets and people

Does (Female Rabbits)

• Prevention of uterine tumours. Over half of unspayed rabbits will develop malignant uterine tumours by the age of 5 years.

• Reduced aggression towards other pets and people

• No chance of unwanted litters

• All cat and dog general anaesthetics carry a very small risk, in the order of 0.01% for young health animals - very much less than the likelihood of serious preventable disease for entire animals in later life. Rabbit anaesthesia is slightly more risky, but in most cases the benefits still far outweigh the risks.
• Some animals especially bitches have a tendency to weight gain after neutering. Attention to exercise and a good, sensible diet are important.
• A small proportion of spayed bitches may develop urinary incontinence in later life, but then so do some unspayed bitches – this is not a serious problem and can be easily rectified on a daily low dose of medication.