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In my last blog I discussed the importance of vaccinations, so I thought I’d continue to discuss the basics and tackle a question I hear (unfortunately) way too often in clinical practice: do I really have to spay/castrate my pet?
The simple answer: yes. Yes! YES!! Without question, YESSSS!!!!
Now, to avoid making this the shortest blog in blogging history (probably), I’ll explain why it is such a vital step in the life of all cats and dogs. I guarantee you, even if you agree with the answer above, you’ll learn something new. (As an aside I will use the term “neuter” as the general term for sterilization of both females and males, and the specific terms for the genders if we need to be more specific)
Why is it so important to get my pet neutered? What happens if I don’t get the neuter done?
By January 1st, 2020, Montreal has made it mandatory for all pets to be neutered and microchipped. So for some, this may be enough reason to get it done! Others aren’t really going to do things just because the city told us to. As it’s not my job to enforce the law, but to recommend what is best for your pet, I’ll discuss the medical benefits instead.
The best thing neutering does is “prevention”. It helps prevent both behavioural and medical problems, both in the short, and long terms. Let me explain: Neutering has been proven to prevent the appearance of unwanted behaviours in both dogs and cats that may appear after puberty. These behaviours include territorial aggression, aggression towards people and/or other animals, urinary marking or spraying, searching out a mate, and meowing or barking often. If you’ve never experienced a female cat in heat at home (good!), but imagine non-stop meowing overnight as she tried to get outside to find a boyfriend. Male cats spraying walls with their musky testosterone-laden urine isn’t a desirable trait either!
Furthermore, there are numerous medical conditions that are prevented by neutering. In dogs, entire males can develop enlargement of the prostate brought on by the influence of testosterone called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). It is seen regularly in older males (normally after 6 years old and older) and can cause frequent, painful urination, as well as difficulty defecating if the prostate presses on the colon. The way I describe the prevalence of BPH in entire males to my clients is: “if you wait long enough, it will inevitably happen, so get the castration done ASAP before it does”.
In female cats and dogs, the development of an infection in the uterus, called pyometra, is also an inevitable occurrence in any entire female. It can happen at any age (I’ve seen it occur in a two year old cat!), but normally happens in older females. Pyometras are true medical emergencies which require immediate surgery to remove an enlarged, pus-filled uterus. The surgery is a spay (!!!): an unnecessarily risky, difficult spay, not to mention also much costlier than a normal spay due to the need for hospitalisation and longer surgery times, among other things. Since it is completely preventable through spaying, it is incredibly frustrating to see pyometra cases in clinical practice.
The last medical problem I’ll discuss in depth is mammary cancers in female cats and dogs. Under the influence of estrogen, entire females may develop mammary tumours. In cats, these tumours are malignant in over 95% of cases, whereas in dogs, the malignancy rate is roughly 50%. The prevention of mammary cancers also seems to have a correlation with WHEN the animal is spayed. These are rough numbers, but the occurrence rate of malignant mammary tumors if the animal is spayed before the first heat is under 0.5%. If performed between the 1st and the 2nd heat, there is an 8% chance of developing mammary tumors. The rate jumps to over 24% chance if performed after the 2nd heat. This is likely due to the amount of time estrogen is circulating in the blood and available to act of the mammary tissue.
I’m worried my dog/cat won’t have the same behaviour after the neuter.
Some clients get concerned that the neutering will cause personality changes. From experience, I can definitively say that neutering does not change personality, but, instead, can prevent unwanted behaviour. For example, castrating a male cat before puberty has been proven to greatly hinder the appearance of urine spraying. The male cat comes out of the operation with the same personality, but he loses 2 testicles and will not spray urine all over the house. Conversely, if a cat has been spraying urine for several months/years, castrating and removing the testosterone from the body MAY not change the behaviour, because it has been engrained in the everyday nature of the cat. In these cases, neutering is still warranted, since it may reduce the frequency of the spraying and eliminate the testosterone-laden urine smell, as well as potentially eliminate the bad behaviour.
The same reasoning applies to dog and the potential development of aggression after puberty. Neutering before puberty may prevent the development of aggression, however if the dog has developed aggressive tendencies, neutering may or may not remove this already learned behaviour. Keep in mind that, neutered or not, any pet has the potential to be aggressive due to many other “environmental” factors.
Is my pet too old for neutering?
Neutering, even at geriatric ages, has its benefits. In male dogs, entire males with benign prostatic hyperplasia will effectively be cured after castration (once the testosterone is removed from the bloodstream; usually 2-3months after castration). Spaying a female, cat or dog, at any age, removes the possibility of pyometras (uterine infections) and ovarian cancers.
It is NEVER too late to neuter a pet, however precautions should be taken before anesthesia, such as complete blood tests to rule out any liver or kidney dysfunction, before proceeding. If the risk is deemed minimal, there should be no reason to not neuter!
Why is there such a large range of prices for neuters?
I don’t want to get too in-depth about pricing on this blog, but I thought it is important to at least address it when it comes to neuters. Apart from consultation prices, neuter prices are the most “shopped” service in general practice; also, individual clinics are allowed to charge whatever they deem adequate for the services they offer.
That being said, when it comes to neuters, there are several “add-ons” that clinics can add to the price, on-top of the surgery itself. Pre-anesthetic blood tests can be run to ensure proper liver and kidney function, as well as proper red and white blood cell counts. IV fluids during the procedure can be included to ensure adequate blood pressure while under anesthesia to prevent kidney damage and remain hydrated. Post-operative pain-relief/anti-inflammatories can (and should) be added, as well as an Elizabethan collar to prevent over-grooming of the incision site, which prevents post-operative infections.
Some clinics will have a set price which includes any or all of the above, and other clinics may offer them as optional add-ons at additional costs. It is very important to ask your vet what is included in the price of the neuter as well as the add-ons available, and whether these incur additional charges.
In medicine we cannot talk in absolutes, as every patient is different. Our pets are under the influence of hormones, genetics, and environment, which will shape every aspect of their lives . What I wanted to highlight is that neutering at least helps us control a certain aspect of that influence in regards to unwanted behaviour and health issues. After neutering, your cat or dog will still be the same pet you love.
One last thing before we end. I thought I should mention, that the reason cities are moving towards mandatory sterilization of pets is primarily to combat overpopulation issues. The amount of resources used directly related to controlling stray populations, or maintaining pound/SPCA contracts, can be reduced simply by adequate population control. So although it shouldn’t be the main concern for the individual pet owner, it indirectly benefits everyone to get your pet spayed or neutered! As Bob Barker used to say: “help control the pet population, get your pet spayed or neutered. Goodbye everybody!”
If you have any questions, queries, comments, or just feel like telling me how great this column was, you can send any or all of the above to: AskDrJames@outlook.com. All questions used for blogging purposes will remain 100% anonymous.
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