BENEFITS OF EARLY NEUTERING IN PET MALE DOG
Veterinarians and animal associations always promote the benefits of neutering pets. Hundreds of thousands of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are euthanized yearly.Spaying and neutering your pet can increase their lifespan, decrease serious health issues, make them more manageable, and reduce the incidence of canine overpopulation and homelessness. Spaying and neutering are considered a requirement for responsible pet ownership.The surgical procedures used to stop pets from reproducing are called neutering and spaying. The surgical removal of a female animal’s reproductive organs is known as “spaying.” The surgical removal of a male animal’s testicles is known as “neutering.” Both procedures are performed with the animals sedated. Depending on the animal’s age, size, health, and response to the anaesthetic, the vet may keep your pet under observation for a few hours to a few days.
The history of spay and neuter
In the 19th century, urbanization and increased pet ownership were catalysts for performing neuters. Owners found a pet’s heat cycle in their home to be inconvenient, so neuters were performed to eliminate this annoyance. In the 1950s, neutering became the solution to overpopulation of pets in New York City. By the 1960s, when compliance to neuter contracts was low, humane groups made neutering a requirement prior to pet adoption. In 1975, the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommended early neuter to get as many pets neutered before adoption as possible. Then in 1993, the American Veterinary Medical Association supported early neuter for the purpose of curbing overpopulation.
A standard of practice
Neutering young dogs between 6 and 9 months of age is now common practice. This practice in the US contrasts with many European countries, where neutering is quite uncommon. For example, in Norway, it’s illegal to neuter a pet unless there is a valid medical reason. With these opposing philosophies, veterinarians in the US have begun questioning the validity of the juvenile neuter approach. Practitioners are asking: What are the clinical effects of removing these hormones? How early is too early? Are there even benefits to spay and castration?
Why is Sterilization necessary?
Neutering eliminates the risk of genital disorders: Females who haven’t been spayed are more likely to experience difficult labor, ovarian cysts, uterine infections (such as pyometra and metritis), and breast tumours, more than 90% of which are cancerous. Unlike other forms of contraception, early ovariohysterectomy shields female cats permanently against such health hazards.
Neutering reduces the risk of accidents: Whole cats, both male and female, are driven by their sexual impulse to leave the house, often for days at a time. This puts them at risk for traffic accidents, food poisoning, and injury from fights (bites, scratches, falls). However, neutered cats rarely roam far from their homes, protecting them from such mishaps.
Neutering reduces the risk of contagious diseases.
After direct contact with infected animals, cats, both male and female, may acquire deadly contagious diseases:
– feline leukaemia (FeLV), transmitted by licking and by sexual contact during mating
– feline immunodeficiency (FIV) transmitted mainly by bites, more common in males
Currently the only form of treatment available is the leukaemia vaccine. Neutering is therefore the most effective preventive measure to lower the incidence of FIV since it reduces interaction with contaminated individuals.
When Your Pet Should Be Spayed or Neutered?
The breed and general health of your pet will determine when it should be sterilised:
- Owned cats should be altered before they are 5 months old as they can become pregnant as early as four months.
- Owned female dogs should be spayed before they are 5 months old.
- Male dogs of all breeds, small, medium, and large, should be neutered before they turn five months old.
- Owned giant breed male dogs who are house pets should be neutered after growth stops, between 12 to 15 months of age due to orthopaedic issues.
Male dogs and cats should be neutered to reduce the risk of testicular cancer and, perhaps prostate issues. Your pet’s chances of developing breast cancer are significantly decreased by spaying before the first estrous cycle (i.e., before she reaches sexual maturity), and the hazard of uterine, ovarian, and uterine infection, which is frequent in unaltered females, is completely eliminated. Additionally, neutering reduces the risk of hernias and perianal tumours, which are frequently seen in older, unaltered dogs. Because neutered cats are less inclined to roam, there is a significantly lower risk of disease transmission from fighting and bite swellings.
It is advisable to spay your dog before she reaches sexual maturity to stop the emergence of these behaviours. She won’t be as prone to forming bad habits related to her heat this way. These behaviours may continue even after your dog has been spayed if they have been present for months or years.
Even if your dog is older, spaying her is still beneficial. Even if spaying doesn’t completely stop her undesirable habits, you may notice less of them in the future, and it will still be good for her physical health. It’s best to seek professional guidance if your dog still exhibits undesirable habits after spaying, especially if it is very aggressive.
Consult your veterinarian about your dog’s aggression to determine whether the behavioural problems are caused by a medical ailment that may be treated or whether your dog needs expert training.
Nutritional Solution for Healthier and longer life – One priority: maintain ideal weight!
Sterilization allows pets to live a better and longer life, on condition that a few changes are made, in particular in their diet. Although beneficial, sterilisation multiplies the risk of them becoming overweight by 3.4 times, due to a drop in energy requirements and an increase in appetite within just 48 hours after the operations. A specific diet is therefore essential to help limit weight gain, to cater for their new physiological condition, eating behaviour and, of course, their age! It is also important to comply with recommended daily allowances, to encourage them to move and to weigh them regularly.
Nutritional advances have been such that today, it is possible to help your pet ward off some of the effects of ageing.
- By fighting free radicals:
Free radicals play a part in the ageing process. They trigger chain oxidation reactions which damage cellular components such as membranes, proteins and DNA. Antioxidants are used to fight free radicals by blocking chain reactions (Vitamins E and C, taurine and lutein). - By supporting renal function:
Reduced levels of dietary phosphorus help to delay the onset of clinical signs of chronic renal failure.
- By promoting healthy coat and skin:
High quality omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA), chelated trace elements (better absorbed) and vitamins A, B and D support the health and quality of these natural barriers against external attacks.
- By supporting a healthy digestive system:
Highly digestible proteins such as wheat gluten reduce fermentation in the colon, and therefore minimize its consequences, i.e., bloating and flatulence. Psyllium improves stool consistency and promotes regular bowel movements.
- By supporting a healthy weight:
After neutering energy requirements of cats decrease. Moderate level of fat and adequate daily rations helps limit the risk of excess weight gain. L-carnitine is involved in fat metabolism.Neutering is a common surgery done in stray male dogs for sterilization purpose under animal birth control programme. This column is to highlight that neutering in male dog is not only to avoid breeding but also to save them from many chronic and untreatable conditions.Since veterinary officer at the field level is the primary doctor dealing with cases, they can better guide the pet owners and advise them to get their male dogs neutered in time for their future better health.
Below discussed are some of the points which highlight the benefits of early elective neutering of male pet dogs:
1. Neutering reduces the nuisance of leg-lifting in house on furniture and other items, which is otherwise an act required by wild /stray male dogs done to mark their territory.
2. Neutering reduces the dominance and aggression in the animal, if done at an early age of 6 months, especially for furious dog breeds like Rottweiler, Pit bulls etc.
3. Neutering reduces the risk of male dog going out after females in breeding season and being attacked by other male dogs. The incidence of dog bite is the maximum during this period. Rabies is another communicable disease widely reported in breeding season.
4. The dog may get infected withtransmissible venereal disease like Venereal granuloma, if not neutered.
5. Neutering makes thepet more loyal as its attention from the sexual activities is reduced. It also reduces the sexual behavior of the male dog with the family members.
6. Neutering is very important to reduce the risk of prostate disorders like cancers, cysts, infections etc. Enlargement of prostate in middle to old age is very common in intactmale dogs. Prostate disorders further lead to urinary incontinence, constipation, anal fistulas/wounds and perineal hernia.In developed countries, where neutering is compulsory, such diseases are rare. Neutering also prevents testicular cancers.
7. Neutering is necessary incryptorchid dogs. Cryptorchidisim is the non-descend of testicles in the scrotal sac. This may be unilateral or bilateral i.e one testicle has not descended or both. These testicles in abdomen or subcutaneous tissue could lead to multiple hormonal imbalances leading to hair fall, teat enlargement and development of sertoli cell tumor of the retained testicle. It is recommended to wait for testicle descend maximum up to 6 months.
8. A chronic and frustrating disease condition of intact males is anal frunculosis in which multiple fistulas may develop around anus along with inflammation of rectum. This condition leads to very painful defecation. It is very common in German shepherd dogs due to broad base and non-lifting of tail. Occurrence of this condition can be reduced by neutering the dog at the recommended age.
9. Neutering of pet dog is of utmost importance in a country like India, where we want to limit the population of dogs. Our pet dogs may go out and mate withany stray females, thus, increasing the population. Every dog cannot be bred with another dog without proper knowledge of breeding. This lead to emergence of many hereditary diseases which get transmitted from generation o generation with more severity.
10. So, general public should be encouraged to opt for getting their male dogs neutered at the age of 6-9 months under your consultation.
CONS OR DISADVANTAGES OF SPAYING/ NEUTERING YOUR PET
- Weight Gain: Your dog may become lethargic, tired, and begin to gain weight. Spayed female puppies frequently begin gaining weight quickly after the procedure, most likely due to changes in metabolism and hormonal structure. Weight gain and pet obesity can be avoided by engaging in an adequate amount of routine exercise, understanding pet food and appropriate nutrition, and providing your pet with a healthy and stress-free lifestyle.
- Hypothyroidism: During the surgery, your dog’s endocrine system is affected resulting in low thyroid levels and hence weight gain and obesity.
- Complications: Because the procedure requires general anesthesia, there is a chance your pet will react negatively to the medication. Some puppies might face slight complications in response to anesthesia. If the surgery is performed at the wrong age or incorrectly, it could lead to more serious complications in some dogs such as bone related issues, urine incontinence etc. Sterilisation may also increase the risk of cancers such as lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma in some dogs
- Change in coat: Some dogs’ coats may change after neutering, with the fur appearing fuzzy,denser, or rougher than before.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
