Companion piece to:
Spay Q & A
Please see the archive for more Q & A topics.
First,
some basic reproductive terminology:
Spayed = a female cat or dog who has had both ovaries and uterus surgically removed, and is not capable of producing offspring.
Neutered = a male cat or dog who has had both testicles surgically removed, and is not capable of producing offspring. Also known as castration. Some refer to "neutered" as
a male or female dog that has been surgically altered to render them sterile (testicles removed or ovaries removed, making them
not capable of producing offspring).
Related terms: desexed, fixed, altered, castrated
Intact = not spayed or neutered, the animal has reproductive organs capable of producing offspring.
Queen = intact female cat
Tom = intact male cat
Bitch = intact female dog
Dog = intact male dog
For
the purpose of this article, intact male cats and dogs will be referred
to as the "pet" or "patient".
Is neutering a major surgery?
No, in the sense that neutering does not enter the abdominal or other body cavities. A general anesthetic is required, however, and there are risks, as with any surgery and anesthesia procedure. Dogs and cats
generally recover a bit quicker from neutering than spaying since it is not as invasive as a spay. (For more on the actual surgery, see below.)
Myth #1 - I've
heard that my pet won't be as good of a protector of my home and family
if neutered (dogs).
Dogs have a natural instinct to protect their home and loved ones. They
are also much more inclined to stay home and happy when neutered. It is true that unneutered dogs are often more aggressive and territorial (urine marking, fighting), but these traits should not be confused with loyalty and protection of their home and family.
Providing a loving
environment for your pet, proper health care, and proper training will be the most influential benefit to maintaining a happy pet that fits into
your family.
Myth #2 - I am
worried that my pet will become fat and lazy.
Proper nutrition
and exercise are what will keep your pet at a healthy weight and level
of fitness, not failing to neuter him.
I want to neuter
my pet, but I think I'll wait until it is more convenient for me (i.e. when time, money, other activities, etc. permit).
Just because you own a male pet doesn't mean that you shouldn't be a responsible pet owner as far as pet pregnancy "accidents" - creating more
unwanted puppies or kittens. Even with the best fencing, kennel, and training - it is not a guarantee that your dog won't escape or...that a female
in heat won't "break in" to meet up with your pet. Cats, of
course, are difficult to contain if outside, and they are quite quick at escaping the house when they want to be!
Pet
overpopulation is a HUGE problem in the United States and many countries
around the world -- don't contribute to the problem of unwanted puppies
and kittens simply due to lack time, interest, funding, etc. Speak with
your veterinarian if you have financial concerns.
Non-neutered males
have an increased risk of cancer (testicular, perianal, and possibly prostate)
over their lifetime.
Why does my vet
want to do pre-surgery blood work on my pet?
Many veterinarians offer pre-anesthesia screening to their patients, and
may have you sign a waiver if you decline these blood tests. Why is this
so important? It provides a way to assess kidney and liver function prior
to undergoing anesthesia among other things. The liver and kidneys are
the primary routes that the anesthetics are broken down and removed from
the body. If they aren't working well, then anesthesia may be more of
a risk. There are many anesthetic agents available, and your veterinarian
may also use the blood screening information to determine the best anesthetic
protocol for your pet.
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