A New Approach to Reduce the Numbers of Unwanted Dogs?
Published on September 26, 2008 by Freelance Contributors · 7 Commentswritten by Karen Clark-Stapleton
So the credit crunch is finally hiting us all in the UK, recession is imminent and people will have far fewer pennies to spend on their beloved pets. SO, one may ask, what will become of the many dogs being bred solely for cash strapped show exhibitors or the pet profiteer who relies on breeding as an income.
Well as we all know they will be abandoned for rescue centres to take care of, they themselves strapped for cash. Well for many years, the approach to unwanted breeding by breeders is to endorse the KC papers , a joke in itself because, if the buyer says , the breeder didnt tell me I couldnt breed then the KC will revoke the endorsement, that is of course the explanation in its simplest terms, however , that is factual.
Another way was to have the puppy undergo a surgical procedure to castrate or spay which in itself carries the risk of anaesthesia, pneumonia etc. I wonder though, how many vets are promoting the new outlook for anti breeding which is to inject a solution into the testes of the male dog between 3 and 6 months to effectively neutralise the sperm, thus rendering the dog sterile.
Dog and cat overpopulation and homelessness are critical issues worldwide with approximately 5 million dogs and cats killed annually in US shelters alone.
In a recent survey of over 2,000 US pet owners, reducing the pet overpopulation problem was ranked as the most important issue.
Cat and dog overpopulation costs millions of dollars in public and private funds and poses public health risks.
Preventing cats and dogs from reproducing is widely accepted as the primary solution to pet overpopulation and homelessness.
Traditional sterilization (surgical spay/neuter) is difficult to access for many dog and cat owners, is prohibitively expensive and complicated for population control in many unowned animals, and is even considered inhumane in some countries.
Availability of appropriate nonsurgical sterilization methods, delivered as a simple injection, would dramatically increase access to sterilization for both owned and unowned cats and dogs.
If you feel that this is a more ethical approach to over population in the dog world and that breeders should do this before letting pets go to new homes then sign the petition to make more owners aware taht this is a safer tool in the battle for pet over population.
I know as a breeder and owner and lover of animals I will be looking at doing this for my dogs in the future, that way I can be deemed a more responsible owner.
Highly Recommended: This could be the most important link you EVER click as far as your dog’s life is concerned – see why….!
Tags: Animal Welfare
This is good news.
However I do feel with the extortionate prices breeders charge for puppies there is no excuse for breeders not to neuter their male and female pups before being sold.
Lisa,
Neutering an 8 week old puppy is really nor recommended!
They could however offer an incentive/voucher to the buyer, payable when the dog is neutered (at maturity).
Hi Pedigree dog owner.
The American Veterinary Medical Association which consists of over 67,000 veterinary surgeons recommends neutering from 12 weeks of age and before 6 months. They also accept neutering before 12 weeks is an acceptable way of reducing the overpopulation crisis.
If breeders truly cared they would hold on to their pups until twelve weeks, socialise them properly and have them fully vaccinated and neutered before being sold.
There is an association with early spay or neutering and cruciate ligament injury, The incidence of estrogen-responsive urinary incontinence is increased among neutered female dogs, and there was concern that neutering puppies at an earlier age might further increase the risk for spayed bitches. Urinary incontinence in dogs neutered at traditional ages can develop within days of the surgery or not until several years later.A third controversy surrounds the best time to perform a spay. This controversy has been widely discussed in the United States literature in regard to the issue of neutering at a very young age compared to the traditional age of 6 – 8 months. Initial studies of 200 – 300 dogs and cats followed for up to 4 years did not indicate physical or behavioral differences between early age spaying or traditional age spaying. A larger study of 983 dogs found that 12.9% of dogs spayed at 3 months became incontinent. Other differences documented in early age neutered dogs compared to traditional age neutered dogs were an increased incidence of cystitis, hip dysplasia, noise phobias and sexual behaviors, and a decreased incidence of obesity, separation anxiety, escaping behaviors, and inappropriate elimination when frightened. In 859 cats, an increased incidence of shyness was found in early age neuters compared with traditional age neuters, whereas a decreased incidence of asthma, gingivitis and hyperactivity were found.
For years, veterinarians have been telling clients that they should wait until their animal are 6-12 months old before sterilizing them. Why 6-12 Months? Several factors have been cited for this arbitrary age of sterilization. They include the unscientific belief that there is some benefit to maturation prior to neutering, our limited anesthesia and anesthetic protocols for immature animals and most significantly because it has a tradition in veterinary medicine.
If one accepts neutering (castration of males / spaying of females) as a form of population control, as a form of increasing health and good behavior, and as a form of extending the life of our pets, then the question becomes what optimum age should we perform surgery. At what age can one get the maximum benefit with least amount of risk to our companion animals?
What scientific or anecdotal based data do we have to suggest something other than a 6-12 month neutering range? Certainly, the first pioneers in early age sterilization (animals < 4 months) were motivated to make a difference in pet overpopulation and in decrease the huge euthanasia rate in our country. This early age neutering sparked a storm of controversy, because in veterinary medicine the mantra is “We fear change.” Because of this controversy, many studies were undertaken to more fully evaluate the effects of early age sterilization in dogs and cats. In the last 10-15 years, the following findings have emerged concerning prepubertal neutering.
1 Animals neutered prior to a full maturity live longer on the average- dogs live 1-3 years longer and cats live 3-5 years longer
2 There is a sharp decrease in certain cancers, particularly mammary cancer.
3 Prostatitis, perianal tumors, testicular cancer, perianal bernias, ovarian cyst, ovarian and uterine tumors and pyometras are examples of common medical problems impacted by neutering,
4 There are anesthetic agents and anesthetic protocols that are well documented for animals as young as 6-8 weeks.
5 Young animals recover much faster from surgery due to higher metabolic rates, less bleeding during surgery, and shorter overall surgical time.
6 There is even growing evidence that early age neutering has positive effects on socialization and behavior in many animals.
7 One clear physiological fact that has emerged is these animals tend to have slightly increased skeletal bone growth (taller) and stay leaner longer that their adult counterparts neutered at an older age.
The ideal age for neutering our companion animal friends is 8-16 weeks.
Prepubertal neutering has been ‘controversial’ for years. Because of this controversy, a lot of
academic research, independent studies and anecdotal evidence has accumulated.
The Humane Society in Medford Oregon decided back in 1974 to spay/neuter all
their dogs and cats prior to adoption. Why? They realized that many pets adopted from their
shelter produced offspring that eventually came back to them, repeating a never-ending
cycle. In 1987, Dr. Leo Lieberman truly set the spark for the prepubertal controversy by
publishing “A Case for Neutering Pups and Kittens at 2 months of Age.” While Medford
Oregon is given credit as the modern birthplace for prepubertal neutering, Dr. Lieberman is
considered the father of prepubertal neutering by many. There are numerous universities that
should be given credit for adding science to a common sense solution, for addressing pet
overpopulation. The University of Florida conducted the first truly controlled study in 1991
comparing neutering at 7 weeks vs. 7 months of age. Texas A&M and the University of
Florida have looked at urethral diameters in prepubertal vs. conventionally neutered animals.
The University of Colorado has provided very useful anesthetic protocols and the University
of Minnesota has reviewed the literature extensively with regard to prepubertal neutering.
The nineties produced a lot of data with which to move forward. Just as the scientific
literature has grown, so has the anecdotal information coming from humane societies, private
veterinary practices, spay/neuter clinics and owners of pets neutered prepubertally.
Even with all our efforts, we still get 30-60% of adopting owners not abiding by
their spay/neuter contracts. With humane societies supplying about 20-25% of companion
animals to households each year, humane organizations quickly become major contributors to
pet overpopulation. Prepubertal neutering becomes an important tool against pet
overpopulation. Considering the following:
• No puppy or kitten should be adopted prior to 8 wks, of age
• 8-12 wks is the ideal age for placing pets into households
• Sterilized pets can never reproduce
Fully 85% of cats and 70% of dogs in households today have been neutered. Unfortunately,
about 20% of companion animals produce at least one litter prior to being sterilized. We, as
humane organizations, cannot demand better sterilization compliance by the public, if we are
still having our own sterilization compliance issues.
The number one cause of death for dogs and cats remains euthanasia. With 70
million dogs, 75 million pet cats and countless millions of feral cats, our job remains an uphill
battle. After decades of effort, the realization that overpopulation of companion animals is
still a major problem for humane organizations can seem depressing. The realization that we
have cut euthanasia rates by millions of companion animals each year, gives us hope as we
look to the future.
There are 3 primary areas that need to be explored to expand prepubertal
neutering and further drop companion animal euthanasia rates. How the veterinary
profession and humane organizations have dealt with prepubertal neutering are two. This
nations horrendous feral cat issue is the third.
1. The veterinary profession has for decades made 6-8 months the recommended
age for neutering. There is no scientific reason for this age selection; it has simply become a
‘tradition.’ The conservative nature of the veterinary profession has made change hard. We
must demand from any veterinarian we support, that they embrace prepubertal neutering as
the standard. We must be willing to educate our veterinary friends and boycott those who are
not part of the solution. Their own national organization (AVMA) has endorsed the practice
of prepubertal neutering since 1993.
2. Humane organizations have placed too much emphasis on the warehousing of
animals and not enough emphasis on education, behavioral counseling, and neutering
programs. While many groups have embraced prepubertal neutering, a large number will still
adopt animals prior to sterilization. With dogs being 15x and cats 45x more prolific than
humans, it becomes very clear we are helping to create the very problem we are working to
solve. The public must demand that 100% of adopted animals be sterilized and that more
money be put into educational and neutering campaigns. It is totally unethical for us to call
ourselves a humane movement when we use euthanasia as the cornerstone for controlling
companion animal overpopulation. Having said that, I will also say there are things far worse
than death.
3. In reference to our feline friends, only about 20% of owned cats reproduce
before being sterilized. In contrast, 75% of feral/stray cats are either in heat, pregnant or
lactating most of the year. We truly must put more emphasis and money into feral/stray cat
programs. The huge numbers of feral/stray cats provide an endless supply of furry feline
friends for euthanasia and worse. People don’t adopt cats; cats adopt people. Averaging 2.1
litters per year and 4.25 kittens per litter, numbers add up. Even knowing 40% of kittens will
die in the first 2 months of life, and 60-80% by sexual maturity (5 months) the numbers are
still staggering and the carnage unrelenting. Felis, Domesticus is a domesticated species that
has much healthier, longer lives when treated as a true companion animal friend.
After over 20 years of endless discussion about neutering and millions of
companion animals being euthanized, it is time to stop the back door approach to animal
control. We must ensure that 100% of adopted pets are sterilized, we must increase public
education and we must have active neutering programs, with special emphasis on feral/stray
cats.
Prepubertal neutering is a very useful tool in the fight to control pet
overpopulation. Over the last few decades, much has been revealed about the medical aspects
of prepubertal neutering. Many concerns have been raised, and many concerns have been
addressed while the euthanasia has never stopped. The major areas of concern have been
about behavior, obesity issues, skeletal growth problems, urinary tract issues, and
anesthetic/surgical protocols.
1. Behavior represents a complex interaction between genetics and environment.
Breed is a major factor in behavior with companion animals. Neutering in general reduces
roaming, (>90%), reduces inter male aggression (>60%), reduces urine marking (>50%),
extends life, (1-3 yrs dogs, 3-5 yrs cats) and makes for a better companion animal in general.
Prepubertal neutering maximizes all these benefits. About 50% of surrendered animals are
unaltered at the time of relinquishment, about 80% of hit by car dogs and dog fight victims
are intact males. It should be clear that an intact male dog represents a threat to himself and
to other dogs. As dogs and cats mature, it’s the hormones of puberty that precipitate many
behavioral issues. By removing the source of these hormones we can modulate negative
behavior much more easily.
2. Obesity is primarily affected by diet, activity level and age. Neutered females are
2x more likely to be obese, but they live longer and tend to have more pampered lives. It
should be noted that neutered animals in general require about 30% less calories. It can also be
noted that many Iditarod dogs are sterilized and not fat at all. Obesity is a problem in
America for humans and our companion animal friends. Years of working with feral cats and
street dogs reveal a lot healthier yet not obese animals as compared to their intact
counterparts. Prepubertal neutering helps delay obesity if anything but clearly is not a
primary factor. Feeding less and exercising more will keep your pet fit and trim for life.
3. Skeletal growth is controlled by the hormones of puberty. Prepubertally
sterilized animals have a slowing in the closure of their growth plates. The result is slightly
more growth of the long bones. There is not scientific data indicating this represents a
problem. We do have years of anecdotal evidence that these prepube animals are leaner,
lankier, and live longer healthier lives.
4. Urinary system issues have consistently been a major complaint with
prepubertal neutering. The scientific and anecdotal evidence is in agreement with regard to
prepubertal neutering. Prepubertal males will have an infantile penis but their urethral
diameter & function are the same if neutered at 7 weeks or 7 months. All veterinarians
should know that Feline Urology Syndrome in cats is due to diet and genetics. There is no
advantage to waiting and numerous advantages to prepubertal neutering. With regard to
urinary incontinence, the literature is in conflict and inconclusive. Studies place incontinence
from 4% to 20% of neutered female dogs and 0.4 to 8% in unaltered female dogs. What is
clear is that large breed dogs are more commonly affected than small breed dogs. Many
factors including breed, thyroid level, allergies and level of obesity have not been fully
evaluated. Blaming urinary incontinence on lack of estrogen is not logical or fully supported
by research. Why is it that pregnant bitches don’t have increased rates of incontinence, given
they have extremely low estrogen? It is possible that obesity (controllable) and
hypothyroidism (treatable) may prove to be primary factors in urinary incontinence. At this
time it is clear that prepubertally neutered females actually have a lower incidence of
incontinence than those neutered at the ‘traditional’ age. Also, the overall benefits of
neutering are much greater than the alternative.
5. Anesthetic and surgical protocols are well developed for the prepubertal puppy
or kitten. The primary considerations are how prepubes process the drugs being used, taking
into account higher metabolic rates and lower blood volumes. Statistically speaking,
prepubertal animals are less likely to die under anesthesia and recover faster than their adult
counterparts.
The following are guidelines for successful prepubertal sterilization:
• De-worm and vaccinate several days prior to surgery
• Withhold food 2 hrs. prior to surgery for kittens and 4 hours prior to surgery for
puppies
• Administer glucose or honey and water in small amounts 15-30 minutes before surgery
and as soon as possible post-surgery
• Administer heated subcutaneous fluids prior to surgery
• Keep all prepubes on heated surfaces during surgery and recovery
• Keep prep to a minimum and use non-reactive suture material
We see the absolutely lowest complication rates with kittens neutered by 12 weeks and
puppies neutered by 16 weeks. Surgical time for kittens is 3-6 minutes, and 4-8 minutes for
puppies. The surgery requires less time, less anesthesia, less recovery and virtually never
results in post-operative complications.
Prepubertal dogs never develop ovarian or uterine tumors, get pyometra or go into
heat. Mammary cancer (the #1 cancer in female dogs & the # 3 cancer in female cats) is
almost eliminated with prepubertal neutering. Testicular cancer is the #2 cancer in male dogs
and a full 60% of unaltered dogs over the age of 5 develop prostate problems. Perianal
tumors are the most common tumor in male dogs and are directly correlated with
testosterone.
The research, literature and anecdotal evidence are quite clear. Prepubertal
neutering has many more positive benefits than negative. Prepubertal neutering must become
a major tool in the fight against companion animal overpopulation. Prepubertal animals are
just healthier, happier pets that will make any adoption program more successful.
http://www.spayusa.org/media/pdfs/prepubal_neutering.pdf
Interesting topic for discussion, though it’s funny that the author doesn’t use any statistics for her own country. It also fascinates me that this article first condemns breeders, then states that the writer breeds animals. Rather confusing, hm?
The use of the statement “Well as we all know they will be abandoned …” also caught my eye in this story. “As we all know” is used whenever a writer wants to make a reader think like the WRITER – whether or not a statement is true. Funny, all of this.
IF anyone reading this wants to know why animals actually enter US shelters, here’s why: http://www.petpopulation.org/exploring.pdf
IF anyone wants to read both positive and negative effects of early spay/neuter, and find links to actual veterinary research, please go here: http://saveourdogs.net/health.html
If people really want to know about dogs and cats in the US, consider these facts:
– over 70% of the US dogs are already sterilized, and over 80% of the US OWNED cats. This means that only 3 of every 10 dogs, and 2 of every 10 cats, can possibly reproduce.
– Feral cats of course are wild creatures; trap-neuter-release programs are the best way ever to decrease their numbers when mousers are not wanted.
– In California where I live, over 80% of all dogs are already sterilized and over 93% of all owned cats. This means only 2 of every 10 dogs, and only 7 of every 100 cats can produce a litter. What are the statistics in England?
Before crying ‘pet overpopulation,’ consider this: if all cats and dogs are sterilized…. where will the next generation come from? Ask any child and you’ll get the answer: both species will *die out*.
From a genetics and species conservation point of view, tell me this: if 80 or 93% of the members of one species cannot reproduce, resulting in a very very small gene pool which includes very old, very sick, and temperamentally unsuited members which cannot be bred… is that species in danger of extinction? Are the individual breeds within those species in danger of dying out?
If you want proven solutions to the number of animals entering shelters, read “Redemption” by Nathan J. Winograd. He doesn’t believe in pet overpopulation, and after reading his book neither do I.