Spaying and neutering your pets: It is not just for population control

We get asked frequently at the clinic about spaying and neutering pets. It is one of the most common questions, especially when talking to clients during a new puppy or kitten visit. Hey doc, when can I get my pet spayed or neutered? What we wish we got asked just as often, is what could happen if I do not get my pet spayed or neutered? 

In dogs, both female and male, there can be some reproductive problems that arise from them not being altered or sterilized. In female dogs, the most common problem we see is a uterine infection called a pyometra. This occurs most commonly in middle aged dogs about four to six weeks after a heat cycle. Progesterone, the hormone known for supporting pregnancy, also primes the uterus and prepares it for ovulation and mating. So, during a heat cycle, the levels of this hormone are high. This process can decrease the immune function of the uterus. Also during heat, the bacteria from the vagina can travel up the reproductive tract into the uterus causing a severe infection or pyometra. The uterus swells with pus and can rupture if not treated. Treatment requires emergency surgery and in most cases a dog will become septic and die if surgery is not performed quickly. Roughly 25% of dogs that are not spayed will develop this condition by age 10. 

Another common problem in female dogs that have not been spayed is mammary cancer. This is similar to mammary cancer in humans, in that it is linked to estrogen; however, the incidence for dogs to get cancer is much higher in dogs than in women. After a dog has had two heat cycles, their chance of developing mammary cancer is about 25%. A female puppy spayed before her first heat cycle is basically prevented from having mammary cancer. This is worth preventing as most dogs end up with mammary tumors that metastasize or spread to other parts of the body. It is typically both locally aggressive and metastatic. Surgery to remove the tumors, therefore, may not be curative. 

Male dogs who have not been altered are also at risk of cancer, particularly testicular cancer, though prostate cancer can also occur. 

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is another common problem we see in male dogs who have not been neutered. Testosterone causes the prostate gland to enlarge. The prostate gland can become so large that it causes problems with urination and/or defecation. I have even seen dogs with herniated bowels secondary to straining to defecate, all because the prostate was pushing on the colon. 

In cats we also see reproductive problems when they have not been altered. In female cats we do see pyometra and mammary cancer, just not as commonly as we see it in dogs. I will say, however, that mammary tumors in cats are almost always very aggressive, therefore, the prognosis is usually very poor. 

Male cats seem to be fairly resistant to reproductive problems. Intact male cats are more prone to urinary blockages. Other problems seen in male cats are not related to reproductive health but overall health, as intact male cats are notorious for fighting. This leads to the spread of viruses such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), which causes chronic respiratory illness and immune suppression.  

Back to the first question. When can I have my puppy or kitten spayed or neutered? Since the primary goal is still population control, we prefer around five months of age. This is before the pet is sexually mature so before a female dog or cat has a heat cycle. As mentioned above, this should fully prevent secondary problems such as pyometra and mammary cancer. 

What if you don’t have the resources financially to get your pet spayed or neutered? There are lots of programs that can help! We as veterinarians want to support you in this. The Branson area has a new spay and neuter clinic affiliated with the Humane Society. I am so excited for our community to gain this resource and I hope that people take advantage of it. 

I will caution you that spay and neuter clinics may not offer all the services that your primary veterinarian does, however, so make sure you ask lots of questions when seeking an estimate as well as scheduling an appointment for surgery. Things like anesthesia monitoring and pain medication to go home are often left out at a spay and neuter clinic. 

Once again, the old adage of prevention is better than the cure rings true. Please be a part of the solution and not the problem. Please have your pets spayed and neutered!