Veterinary Medicine - October 2007 - (Page 676)

E UTHANASIA O Spay and neuter Advice from the Veterinary Medicine very small risks with both puppies and kittens.” One randomized study published in 1997 reported that gonadectomy in both kittens and puppies in three periods—1 to 12 weeks, 12 to 23 weeks, and more than 24 weeks—resulted in no differences among the three groups in the incidence of major complications.1 The traditional age group did have more minor complications. The study was initiated in response to an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates resolution in 1993, asking the organization to support the concept of early spaying and neutering. In fact, both the AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) support spaying or neutering starting at 8 weeks of age (see “AVMA and AAHA statements on early spaying and neutering”). Dr. Scarlett says some evidence exists that dogs spayed or neutered at a very early age have a slightly higher risk of incontinence than do adults, but the risk is also seen in dogs neutered at traditional ages. Early neutering solves a compliance problem for practitioners, Dr. Scarlett says. Traditionally, a veterinarian completes the vaccination series when the pet is 4 months old. At that Advice from the Veterinary Medicine Practitioner Advisory Board Robin Downing, DVM. When speaking with clients, we are very blunt in our language articulating that neutering is the right thing medically, behaviorally, and culturally. The entire team delivers the same message—each person personalizes his or her own delivery. The client hears that consistent message from the receptionist, from the technicians and assistants, and from the veterinarian. Early neutering is by far the norm in our practice. AVMA and AAHA statements on early spaying and neutering AVMA: Early-age (prepubertal) spay/neuter of dogs and cats The AVMA supports the concept of early (prepubertal, 8 to 16 weeks of age) spay/neuter in dogs and cats in an effort to reduce the number of unwanted animals of these species. Just as for other veterinary medical and surgical procedures, veterinarians should use their best medical judgment in deciding at what age spay/neuter should be performed on individual animals. AAHA: Early neutering of companion animals position statement To reduce the overpopulation problem in companion animals, the American Animal Hospital Association supports neutering of cats and dogs as early as eight to 16 weeks of age in animal care and control facilities. Practitioner Advisory Board Jennifer McDermott, DVM. I think all veterinarians should educate clients on the health benefits of spaying and neutering instead of assuming they already know. Many people don’t intend to breed their pets, but they don’t realize it is better to have them spayed or neutered. We all know accidents happen, and that contributes to the number of healthy pets in shelters. time, the veterinarian tells the pet owner to come back in two months for neutering. “By then,” Dr. Scarlett says, “the kids are going back to school and they’re really busy, and they put it off. It is a very common occurrence that people tell us, ‘I didn’t think she could come into heat that early,’ or ‘I meant to get him neutered but I forgot.’ “If veterinarians told their clients when they were lining them up that roughly two or three weeks after the final vaccination we’ll schedule you to come right in and have that animal neutered,” Dr. Scarlett says, “they would probably still bring the animal in, and we would get most of them before puberty.” The research shows that roughly 15% of puppies and kittens will have litters before they can be neutered, Dr. Scarlett says. “That’s a hole I’m trying to plug.” However, if despite your best efforts, a puppy or kitten has a litter, spay the animal soon after birthing. “Ovariohysterectomy often is performed at the same time as a Cesarean section,” says Margaret V. Root Kustritz, DVM, PhD, DACT. “The only downside is the incisions end up buried beneath the engorged mammary glands and the puppies may end up irritating them.” Dr. Scarlett says she has talked to many veterinarians who, once they learned how to perform pediatric neutering, were much more comfortable with neutering at a younger age than at the traditional age. “It is much easier, much faster, and the animals recover faster,” she says. “Ask yourself how many litters 15% would prevent.” O REFERENCE 1. Howe LM. Short-term results and complications of prepubertal gonadectomy in cats and dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997;211:57-62. 676 October 2007 VETERINARY MEDICINE

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - October 2007

Veterinary Medicine - October 2007 Contents Leading Off The Veterinary Medicine Interview: Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald Toxicology Brief Idea Exchange Animal Sheltering in the United States: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow The Euthanasia Problem Offer Basic Behavior Counseling for Every Pet at Every Visit Promote and Perform Early Spaying and Neutering Assist Owners in Selecting the Best Pets for their Lifestyles Champion Animal Welfare in Your Community CE Form Product Review Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - October 2007

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