Castration of pets. Castration of animals. Benefits of neutering a pet

Your friends gave you a thoroughbred, cute kitten, or rather a cat. There can be no talk of a cat giving offspring in the future, and you also do not accept the concept of “neuter”, since heard from the advocates of cats, which is like an operation. This is total pet abuse!

Arguing in this way, few people think about what problems should be expected from an unsterilized, physiologically complete animal.

The cat can... Or what will happen to the kittens?

Already at eight months a cat can give birth to three or four kittens, which, in a few months, can also give birth to their offspring, and so on. One healthy cat, without pathologies and living in normal living conditions, in its twelve years of life can give birth to two hundred kittens, and all her kittens in the next seven years at once can give birth to up to four hundred and twenty kittens! Now think - can all this thousand-strong army of meowing balls find their home to live in, in which they would always eat deliciously, live carefreely and be taken care of by the most loving owners in the world? Of course not! Most likely, most of these seals will face the fate of homeless, stray, hungry animals.

Sleepless nights of the owners - the cat is walking

As soon as your kitty wants to take a walk, she will do everything possible and impossible to escape from the house or apartment to the street, she will meow at night, run around the house, get angry and hiss. Forget about night sleep and calmness, as excessive aggression, refusal to eat, constant craving to run away from a cat will soon develop into something terrible - the pet may get sick due to high hormonal release. An unsterilized cat does not control itself, there have been cases when cats were thrown out of apartment windows or ran away from home and died on the streets.

Happen once to a cat...

You will say that you cannot mock an animal, you must definitely bring a cat with a cat so that it gives offspring at least once in its life. After all, it is cruel to deprive your pet of maternal joy. Did you know that motherhood is not a joy for a cat, very often a cat who has given birth can become seriously ill and die.

What do you think will happen to her little kittens? She will give birth, for example, to 4 kittens, and where will you put them? Drown, throw out into the street or throw in someone else's yard? And if it would be a pity for you to give newborn kittens to “bad hands”, then you will have to keep a whole army of animals, which financially, in the near future, you simply cannot master. Few friends want to take another kitten into their house, and if this kitten has a violent temper, then his fate has already been determined - living on the street. Unfortunately, most of the kittens that you managed to distribute are thrown into the trash for various reasons.

Correct and true there will be one solution - sterilization or castration of a pet.

What is sterilization

Neutering is called the most effective method to help prevent pregnancy, childbirth and estrus (cyclic activity) in females. There are several reasons for spaying pets today, but the most important are spaying as a way to control the population of cats and dogs, as well as spaying in the name of maintaining the health of a pet.

Sterilization as a pet population control

The main purpose of spaying stray cats and dogs is population control. Nowadays, many cities are fighting stray cats and dogs through the introduction of sterilization. In every city there are nurseries and zoological clubs that catch stray animals and sterilize them. And it is right! But sterilization concerns not only street animals, but also pets.

If you decide to sterilize your pet, in this way you have protected him and yourself from many social problems, and also preserved his health. A sterilized dog or cat is very calm and docile, easy to train, train and instruct. Spayed cats do not go into heat, they are completely carefree and affectionate.

Sterilization for the health of your pet

Spayed cats and dogs than their physiologically untouched counterparts. A neutered cat rarely suffers from infectious and inflammatory diseases, it is more resistant and healthy, less susceptible to the development of cancerous tumors. All castrated cats are not threatened with testicular cancer, and sterilized cats do not suffer from purulent endometritis. Timely sterilization will help your pet stay alert, healthy and active for a long time.

Castration as one of the methods of deposition

Besides sterilization, second most efficient method decongestion is ovariohysterectomy, i.e. castration. This method involves the complete removal of the reproductive organs in cats. In the case of castration, the animal will still be in heat, as before, it will behave according to its physiological position, but it will not have the ability to conceive.

Young females can be castrated as planned. To do this, the veterinarian completely examines the animal for the absence of contraindications to castration. Castration, as a procedure, is not the safest method, just like any operation has a total of both minuses and pluses.

Positive aspects of castration of a pet:

• Pregnancy, childbirth, and the problem of where to arrange future offspring no longer exist.
• The animal is not aggressive due to the fact that its sexual behavior disappears.
• Early sterilization of cats prevents the spread of neoplasms and tumors. This applies even to bitches who have been spayed after their second or third pregnancy.
• The process of inflammation of the uterus and endometritis in castrated animals does not develop.
• Pets do not suffer from sexually transmitted diseases. Also castrated animals do not suffer from immunodeficiency diseases.
• Neutered pets live longer than their counterparts who have not been castrated, so they remain funny and cheerful longer than other animals.

Negative aspects of pet castration:

• Castration is an operation to remove the reproductive organs. It is fraught with such possible complications as infection under the skin of an animal, adhesive disease, divergence of the seam. Many breeds of dogs do not tolerate anesthesia. This is especially true of those thoroughbred cats and dogs that are prone to cardiovascular diseases (Sphynx and Maine Coon cats, as well as pug dogs).
• In some breeds of cats, especially if these cats are old and weigh more than 20 kilograms, urinary incontinence may occur after castration.
• Long-haired dogs are at risk of getting "puppy shedding", their coat sheds very quickly, but short-haired dogs can experience symmetrical alopecia.
• After castration, many dogs and cats have a brutal appetite. Therefore, animals run the risk of getting better in the next few days. To prevent this from happening, be sure to put the animal on a diet and increase physical activity. The pet should in no case lose its former shape.

Weigh the pros and cons and act in the best interests of your pet.

In the past few years, a new concept has appeared on the veterinary services market: planned sterilization *. What it is?

Many pet owners ask veterinarians questions: why are animals sterilized, at what age is it better to do it, and is it necessary to sterilize an animal at all? The last decisive word, of course, always remains with the owner of the animal, but the veterinarian should help him as much as possible to understand this issue.

So: if the owner of the animal does not plan to receive offspring from his pets (puppies, kittens) and does not want to burden himself with the cares associated with caring for the animal during estrus, pregnancy and childbirth, then it is better to sterilize the dog or cat.

The use of chemical contraceptives (“contrasex” or “anti-meow”) for a long period disrupts the hormonal status of the animal, which is fraught with the development of such pathologies as: ovarian cyst, glandular uterine hyperplasia, uterine tumor, and also cases of hydrometers or pyometra are not uncommon. These pathologies are treated only surgically. In addition, if an unsterilized animal has not been pregnant during its life, then in old age (6-8 years, depending on the type and breed of the animal), the possibility of developing pathologies associated with the reproductive organs also increases.

In addition, it has been scientifically proven that in the early period of life it significantly reduces the risk of developing breast tumors (BM) **. Most AMFs are hormone-dependent in nature. Therefore, it is advisable to combine their surgical removal with ovariohysterectomy to prevent new AMF***.

In addition, males (males, cats) during the period of sexual arousal can experience attacks of aggression even towards owners and well-known people. Neutering reduces their libido and makes the animals manageable.

To the question: how does the behavior of animals change after sterilization, we can answer the following: aggressive animals almost always become calmer. The behavior of animals largely depends on their temperament. If the animal was active and mobile before the operation, then it is likely to remain so.

Some animals gain weight after sterilization. Of course, this fact can be seen as a negative consequence of sterilization. But it must be remembered that active exercise and a balanced diet with a reduced calorie content can control the body weight of an animal within its breed and physical norm.

As another side effect, it should be noted the occurrence of urinary incontinence **** in bitches of large breeds. This tends to occur with higher amputation of the uterus (close to the bladder neck).

So let's sum it up:

1. It is necessary to sterilize animals from which it is not planned to produce offspring in order to reduce the risk of AMF and pathology of the reproductive system. Prevention is easier than cure and cheaper by more than 20 times!
2. It is necessary to sterilize animals that, in the event of pregnancy, will not be able to normally endure and give birth to offspring due to any congenital or acquired pathologies (hip dysplasia, fracture of the pelvic bones, etc.)
3. It is necessary to sterilize vicious and aggressive animals for the sake of personal safety and the safety of those around them.
4. Before the operation, the owner of the animal should remember that in females it is desirable to remove both the ovaries and the uterus at the same time (ovariohysterectomy). Sterilization of cats through a lateral surgical access according to German technology is the most appropriate, since soft tissues are minimally injured and the animal tolerates the operation more easily. But this surgical technique can be used only for non-pregnant animals and animals without pathology of the reproductive system.
5. When deciding to neuter or not to neuter, the owner of the animal must always be aware of the responsibility he has towards his animal. And also about a certain anesthetic risk, since the operation is performed under general anesthesia.

This article is based on data from 750 dogs and 1200 cats that underwent ovariohysterectomy.

Notes

* Sterilization implies the termination of the reproductive function. In fact, ovariohysterectomy (or orchitectomy) is called castration, i.e. removal of the gonads, with subsequent lack of ability to reproduce. Sterilization is correctly called an artificial violation of the reproductive function, without the removal of the gonads (ovaries or testes), while the hormone-producing function is preserved.

** Twenty-year experience of European colleagues has reliably proved that castration of cats or bitches before the first estrus reduces the risk of AMF by 50 times.

*** Not all authors agree with the thesis that the removal of the ovaries reduces the risk of recurrence of the removed AMF. As a surgical method, total mastectomy is preferable, i.e. removal of AMF and unaffected breast packs, as well as inguinal and axillary lymph nodes.

**** Urinary incontinence according to statistics occurs in one in 20 bitches older than 6 years and larger than 35 kg. Also, one of the factors of incontinence is a change in the tone of the urinary sphincter as a result of changes in the hormonal background.

Despite the fact that castration of cats and dogs today it is widespread, until now many owners have little idea what kind of operation it is and why it is necessary.
First of all, most people confuse castration and sterilization. Castration- this is the complete removal of the gonads of animals (testes in males or ovaries in females). Under pet sterilization imply an effect due to which there is a violation of the reproductive ability while maintaining the gonads and their production of sex hormones and cells. These, for example, include doping (ligation) of the ducts of the gonads (oviducts or vas deferens). At the same time, the characteristics of sexual behavior and physiological processes (libido, estrus, etc.) are fully preserved, but it is impossible to obtain offspring.
The sex glands perform two functions: germinal and hormonal. The first is the formation of germ cells, and the second is the production of sex hormones. When the gonads are removed, the sexual function is turned off for life and irreversibly. Why is castration necessary? Often, the owner turns to the veterinary clinic for appropriate help only when his animal exhibits sexual behavior: marking the apartment and objects, excitement and aggression during hunting, disobedience, pseudo-lactation, etc. Some owners even prefer medical contraception (introduction of hormonal drugs, inhibiting the formation of germ cells in the gonads), mistakenly believing that thereby they bring less harm to their pet. And very few realize that castration, first of all, is necessary precisely for the health of the animal itself.
Doctors of the ENIMALS veterinary clinic, just like in the countries of Western Europe and North America, recommend castrating all animals that are not involved in breeding. What is it for? The fact is that it is physiological for all animals to constantly have offspring. If this function is not implemented, then both males and females can develop a number of pathologies. Castration avoids this.
Surgical intervention is best done in animals up to a year, but not earlier than 6 months, because. earlier removal of the gonads can retard the growth and development of animals.
Positive aspects of castration of pets:
1. Castrated animals live longer on average by 1-2 years
2. Castration of animals significantly reduces the occurrence of the following diseases:
neoplasms of the reproductive system (mammary glands, vagina, ovaries, uterus)
neoplasms of the rectum
pyometra (inflammation of the uterus with accumulation of purulent contents in the cavity)
neoplasms of the prostate and perianal glands, testes
prostate adenoma
perineal hernia.
Neutered animals are less prone to stress, they practically do not have sharp hormonal surges that greatly affect the behavior of the animal. Males are less aggressive.
Negative aspects of castration:
possible weight gain
risk of urolith formation in the urine
So, let's discuss all the pros and cons in more detail:
Castration In cats, it consists in the surgical removal of the testicles and leads to the fact that the animal, as a rule, ceases to put odorous "marks", becomes less aggressive towards other individuals of the same sex. On the other hand, castration does not affect the playfulness of the male or, say, the instinct for hunting, while the absence of a sexual dominant allows the animal (and the owner) to lead a calmer life. It should be noted that castration does not have any negative impact on the ability to learn and work. On the contrary, the opposite effect is often observed, since a castrated animal is less distracted.
In general, it is believed that castration with a probability of 80-90% relieves cats of bad habits, allowing once and for all to solve the problem of marking the territory. In addition, neutered cats are less likely to develop life-threatening diseases such as prostate tumors, and testicular cancer is also eliminated. In addition, castration of cats at the age of one year is one of the ways to prevent urolithiasis. Remember that to prevent the development of feline urological syndrome, a neutered cat should be fed food that prevents the urine from becoming supersaturated with calcium and phosphorus salts. In this regard, fish castrated cats are contraindicated for life!
Castration in the pre-puberty period disrupts the manifestation of the physiological characteristics of the male, contributing to some of his feminization due to the lack of testosterone. It is advisable to carry it out over the age of 8 months.
Regarding the optimal age for castration of cats, then it is better to carry out at the age of 6.5 months. It has been shown that ovariohysterectomy performed within these time limits does not lead to any difference in the physical development of cats. Such an operation before the first estrus dramatically (by 50 times!) reduces the risk of cancers of the mammary glands and uterus and eliminates the likelihood of pyometra. A neutered cat does not show aggressiveness and sexual hunting. In females spayed after the first estrus, the likelihood of mammary tumors is reduced by 6 times. In males, prostate cancer does not occur (males older than 7 years are susceptible).
Sterilization, unlike castration, consists in ligation of the fallopian tubes, or in a vasectomy. This helps to prevent the appearance of unwanted offspring, but has little effect on sexual behavior. In addition, animals subjected to such an operation remain at risk of developing such life-threatening diseases as pyometra, neoplasms of the mammary glands.
Another positive aspect of castration is that it reduces the number of abandoned animals, which then end up in shelters or even killed. Neutered cats are the most pleasant and gentle companions of a person. In addition, neutered cats live longer than their unneutered counterparts.

The negative consequences include the following:
As a rule, after sterilization, the cat immediately begins to gain weight, and therefore it is necessary to prescribe a diet with a low energy content and the least fat content. Based on the data of the conducted studies, their authors concluded that neutered cats require 28% less calories, and neutered cats - 33% less than intact cats and cats, respectively.

The body weight of cats, taking into account this type of feeding, must be monitored every week and then once a month. It is advisable to use Science Diet “Feline Maintenance Light”, which is intended for less active, neutered and obese adult cats. This food is enriched with fiber and helps keep your cat satiated without consuming excess calories. It contains 25% fewer calories than dry Feline Maintenance and helps to maintain the optimal weight of the animals.
Spayed animals are believed to be at slightly greater risk of urinary urolith formation. The main factor for the formation of salt crystals, which are able to aggregate in the bladder, is the tendency to urinary retention observed in spayed cats. To prevent the formation of struvite crystals and uroliths in normal cats, Prescription Diet Feline c/d is recommended, and to prevent the formation of struvite crystals and uroliths in obese cats, Prescription Diet Feline w/d is recommended.

During the castration or sterilization of your pet in the ENIMALS veterinary clinic, our veterinary nutritionists will do their best to select the correct postoperative food, which you can purchase in our store.

It is known that sex hormones play an important role in the regulation of growth, contributing to the disappearance of the metaphyseal cartilage. Concern about spaying too early (less than 12 weeks) is due to the fact that it leads to the premature disappearance of the metaphyseal cartilage (bone tissue growth plates) and, as a result, to growth retardation and urinary incontinence. In addition, too early sterilization impairs skeletal development and urethral function. However, spaying does not adversely affect the diameter and function of the urethra in cats.
As for "Childbirth for Health" - it's a myth!
The most common opinion is that if an animal has not given birth, then it will not be as physically healthy as those who gave birth. There is no correlation between childbirth and the future health of the animal. So, dear owners, now the choice is yours. And we are always glad to see you in our clinic!

Each of us at the sight of cute, funny, cute puppies, kittens or other animals comes to tenderness. But, often having a pet, not everyone wants it to bear offspring. Therefore, in order to insure against undesirable consequences, the best solution is castration of animals. Such an operation also reduces the risk of various diseases, including cancer.

Pet castration- it's not just health, but also the longevity of your animal. After all, such animals are less aggressive, do not show sexual behavior, stop marking the territory, do not fight with animals, are more calm and affectionate.

It is desirable to carry out castration in a timely manner. Best of all - at the age of up to one year of the animal. The operation itself is the simplest procedure that lasts a few minutes and usually does not lead to complications. Castration is performed under local anesthesia, while the pet is completely relaxed. Sometimes general anesthesia can also be used, in particular with the so-called cryptorchidism, in which the testes are located in the abdominal cavity. In such cases, the operation is more complicated and general anesthesia is required.

Under general anesthesia, sterilization of female animals is also carried out - with the surgical removal of the ovaries or uterus (or both at the same time).

Many owners believe that castration of animals should be avoided and give the pet sedatives or hormonal drugs. Of course, for some time they will help, but they will not completely solve the problems and can even be harmful to health. Subsequently, many diseases can be treated only by surgical methods.

Timely castration of animals not only insure against unwanted offspring, but also prevent many diseases. Clinic "Paws and scratches" performs castration or sterilization of any pets. You can have the procedure done at your home or at our clinic.

The preparatory period before castration depends on the state of health and age of your pet. Young animals must be vaccinated against infectious diseases - no later than 3 weeks before the procedure. During estrus, sterilization should not be carried out. For medical reasons, an animal of any age can be castrated.

Before castrating an animal, our veterinarian examines it to avoid the possibility of an underlying disease. If necessary, he will prescribe an additional examination. The animal must be on a starvation diet for 10-12 hours before the operation. Our clinic uses only modern veterinary drugs and sterile equipment.

After castration, the animal will be under the control of our specialist. Stitches after castration are not removed, after sterilization, the sutures are removed after 2 weeks. Pets do not require special care.