Congrats! You’ve made the decision to adopt a new four-legged member into your family. As you undoubtedly want to get started on the right foot, you’ve visited your vet, bought pet health insurance, and plan to have the newest edition spayed or neutered. Perhaps you’ve done a little research on the best time to have this procedure done. The timing of puppy and kitten spaying and neutering is a hotly debated topic with much misinformation and myths, even amongst veterinarians.
Shelters vs. Veterinary Hospitals
Pediatric spaying and neutering is broadly defined as spay/neuter surgery performed between 6 and 16 weeks of age, or any time before the typically recommended 6 months of age. The most common reason this happens at such a young age is due to shelter situations. Shelters are anxious to get puppies and kittens adopted out, and want to help control the pet population by ensuring pets are altered before going to their forever homes. It is unrealistic for shelters to house these pets up to 6 months of age and then alter them.
In a veterinarian setting, this is less of an issue, as your vet hopes to develop a relationship with you and trusts you’ll return for the recommended procedures and the recommended times. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) has published surgical and anesthetic protocols based on clinical research reporting that early spay/neuter is safe in an effort to stem pet overpopulation.[1]
So we know it is safe, but when is the right time for your pet? Here are some common misconceptions about spaying and neutering pediatric animals.
1. Early spaying or neutering will stunt growth: False
This is likely not clinically true. Some studies even suggest that the growth plates remain open longer when the pet is altered earlier, but this isn’t likely to make any appreciable difference in final size.
2. Early spaying/neutering will protect against certain cancers: True and False
This is true in the case of mammary cancer in females. Literature suggests that the risk of developing mammary cancer in a pet spayed before her first heat cycle is less than 1%, after her first heat cycle her risk rises to 8%. It is false, however, that early neutering protects against prostatic cancer in males. The incidence of prostatic cancer is equivalent in neutered and intact males. [2]
3. Early spaying causes urinary incontinence in females: Unknown
The jury is out on this one. Cornell university did a long term study on dogs spayed prior to three months and found 12% of the early spayed females versus 5% of the later spayed females developed incontinence, but a Texas A&M research projects suggests there was no change in the numbers affected based on age spayed. There have even been some studies showing the opposite to be true, that females spayed later had more urinary incontinence. Clearly there is a need for more research to settle this dispute.
4. Spaying and neutering causes obesity: False
It is statistically true that altered pets tend to be heavier than their intact counterparts, but obesity is highly linked to a variety of contributing factors and is largely preventable with diet and exercise. Even intact pets can be heavy if overfed.
5. My pet’s personality will change with spaying or neutering: False
There doesn’t appear to be any appreciable effect on personality with early spay/neuter. Certainly a pet spayed or neutered at any age will have fewer hormonally-driven behaviors such as urine marking, territorialism, roaming and fighting.
Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about the timing for your puppy of kitten to be spayed or neutered, and any reservations or questions you have about the procedure.
[1] American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. http://www.aspcapro.org/pediatric-spayneuter.php
[2] American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. http://www.aspcapro.org/pediatric-spayneuter.php
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) released a nationwide survey in February 2012 showing 55% of cats are overweight or obese. Getting an obese cat to lose weight can be a bit more challenging, than say a dog, due to their independent nature. And multiple cat households can be even trickier!
If you think Buttons might be too boxy, here are some tips that can help:
1. Reduce Portions
Use the 20% for cats too! Determine exactly how much your cat eats in 24 hours, then reduce by 20%. In single-cat households this can work nicely; when the daily allotment of kibble is gone, no more until the next day. It is possible to feed pre-measured meals also. Cats may benefit from more feedings through the day versus just two. Cats can be trained to eat meals, just like dogs.
Read More…
It’s true, Americans are getting heavier and our pets are doing the same. To reverse this trend, the first thing that must happen is recognition of obesity.The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) released a nationwide survey in February 2012 showing that 53% of dogs overweight or obese. In addition to an increased number of obese pets, there is a disturbing decrease in people’s perception of their pets’ obesity. The study conducted by the APOP showed that 22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners thought their pets were a normal weight, when really they were overweight.
Here are some tips transform your pooch from poochy, to healthy:
1. Hefty Hounds
Feed pre-measured meals. Pets that have access to as much food as they want and nibble through the day are going to be much harder to regulate. First determine exactly how many cups of kibble your pet is eating in 24 hours; use a baking measuring cup. Pet portion control is easy. Just measure out the amount you usually put in the bowl, them measure how much is left at the end of 24 hours. Next, reduce the amount of kibble you feed by about 20%. In single dog households this can work well, because you’ll put the pre-measured amount of kibble in the bowl, and when it’s gone, no refills!
Read More…
Veterinary medicine involves lots of sloppy warm kisses and friendly tail wags on a daily basis. And overall, it’s a very rewarding profession. But not every day is all puppies, kittens, healthy pets and treatable diseases. As a veterinarian, I often see frustrating, sad and even gross things. Recently I posted a blog discussing surprising things your veterinarian loves. Here is my list of the top six least favorite appointments or procedures we see:
1. Neglect
The top of my least-favorite list is any appointment or disease that stems from neglect or was preventable. Unfortunately this happens! It’s often hard for animal lovers and pet insurance enthusiasts to imagine that someone wouldn’t treat their pet like one of the family. But it does happen. Often the neglect isn’t malicious or intentional, but stems from lack of knowledge. For example, injuries sustained after leaping out of the back of trucks, which could have been prevented by tethering or securing the dog correctly (or not putting the pet in the back of a vehicle at all.) Other diseases of neglect could include sunburn from being outside too long, skin issues stemming from poor grooming habits or excessively long toe nails. Even periodontal disease that has been left too long can cause the pet pain and discomfort.
Read More…
Many animal-loving children dream of becoming veterinarians when they grow up. Helping and healing animals seems like the ideal career, and in fact, being a veterinarian is very rewarding. However, not all of the procedures we do are fun and games. Some can be heart wrenching, frustrating or even just plain gross. While these are my opinions alone, I thought I would share five of my favorite veterinary appointments and procedures; keep an eye out for my top five least favorite coming soon!
1. New Puppy and Kitten Exams
Of course, every doctor is different in terms of the things they love to treat, but unanimously every veterinarian loves taking on new puppy and kitten clients. During these routine pet care exams, it’s also a fun time to talk with you, the client, because you are usually excited and invested in your new pet’s care at this time. Sharing helpful healthcare tips, such as considering pet insurance for your new family addition, can help a family start out on the right foot for a long and healthy life. The puppy kisses and kitten purring doesn’t hurt either!
Read More…
