Routine Surgeries
Neuter and Spay (Sterilization)
These are terms used to describe procedures in which the animal’s reproductive organs are removed surgically making it impossible for them to breed. In Male animals, it is called Castration (complete removal of testicles). In Female animals, it is called Spaying (complete removal of ovaries and uterus). It is recommended for all non-breeding pets to be sterilized.
The procedure has no effect on a pet’s intelligence or ability to learn, play, work or hunt. Some pets tend to be better behaved following surgical removal of their ovaries or testes, making them more desirable companions.
Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies and reducing roaming behaviour and certain types of aggression, these procedure help reduce and or eliminate the risk of the following medical conditions:
Ovarian and Uterine Cancer, Pyometra (infection of the uterus which is a fatal condition if untreated), Mammary (breast Cancer), Testicular Prostate Cancer, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Spaying female dogs can be therapeutic in some cases such as to treat false/ phantom pregnancies, irregular cycles due to ovarian cysts or as an aid for Diabetes treatment.
One of the main potential disadvantages to these procedures is weight gain due to decreased metabolism after the procedure, however, obesity is the result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity. By regulating your pet’s diet and caloric intake and ensuring daily exercise, you can prevent obesity in sterilized (or intact) dogs and cats.
The other potential disadvantage is Urinary Incontinence especially in female dogs which is the loss of voluntary control of urination. It is usually observed as involuntary urine leakage. It is believed that the lack of oestrogen in these dogs (along with obesity and larger breed size) can cause laxity or loosening of the urethral sphincter or valve resulting in the leakage of urine, especially during sleep.
There are many different factors to consider when determining the optimal time to spay or neuter a puppy or a kitten including health factors, behavioural factors, and your pet’s environment. Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to proceed.
Even though it is referred to as a “Routine Surgery”, it is still a major operation performed under general anaesthesia which carries a small risk of death. However, with modern anaesthetics and monitoring equipment, the risk of a complication is very low. Other surgical complications that may occur are haemorrhage, infection, suture reaction and seroma or haematoma.