DESEXING
(by Dr Jason Smith & Dr Michael Chia 2005/2006)
Desexing removes the sexual urge from both dogs and bitches. If you do not intend to breed from your dog, surgical desexing has many benefits both in the male and the female. In the male dog it removes the sexual urge so that if the dog gets the scent of a bitch in oestrus he is unlikely to show any interest. It also reduces the likelihood of testicular cancer and prostatic disease.
Undesexed male cats tend to become very territorial and often wander around the neighbourhood or get into fights. They are most at risk of getting hit by a car, developing cat fight abscesses and contracting FIV infection (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or Feline AIDS). Undesexed female cats are amazing kitten factories, especially during the warmer months. Unlike the dog, cats are induced ovulators and are extremely prolific breeders. This is why there are so many unwanted kittens every year available for adoption at both our vet centres as well as animal shelters and vet clinics throughout Australia.
Desexing the bitch prevents oestrus as well as breeding. Once desexed, the bitch will have no oestrus and will not have unwanted puppies or phantom pregnancies (which in some bitches may cause a lot of distress). If unsterilised, the bitch is more likely to diseases such as developing mammary tumours (breast cancer), and uterine conditions such as mucometra and pyometra (uterine infection). Pyometra is often seen in middle-aged to older unsterilized bitches, especially after they have had their season. If left untreated, pyometra can be a potentially fatal condition. Treatment normally involves supportive care and removal of the affected uterus. Breast cancer may spread to other body organs especially the lungs and result in death as a result of multiple seasons.
Owners are often tempted to have at least one litter from a bitch. There appears to be a general misconception that having a litter will improve temperament. There is no scientific evidence to support this theory whereas it has been proven that neutering in the bitch not only prevents common diseases of the uterus but also reduces the incidence of breast cancer. Studies have shown that bitches desexed before their first season (oestrous cycle) have about a 0.5% risk of developing breast cancer, while the risk for bitches desexed between their first and second season is about 8%. After the second season, the risk of developing breast cancer is approximately 26%.
It is a common fallacy that all desexed dogs will become fat and lazy. Although sterilized females may be more prone to weight gain, remember that most working dogs such as Airport Sniffers, Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Dogs for the Disabled are routinely desexed. Judicious feeding of a scientifically prepared complete diet without excessive titbits should adequately control any problems of obesity, just as it does in the entire animal.
Another common fallacy is that the desexed dog loses character. Admittedly, desexing is often carried out, both in dogs and bitches, for certain behavioural abnormalities (e.g. juvenile aggression) and often dogs will become more gentle. However, they do not lose their spirit nor their intelligence; and provided they are not allowed to become obese, they can enjoy a normal, happy and active life.
The recommended age for desexing both dogs and cats is 6 months of age although the surgery can be performed anytime after that (except when a bitch is in season).
