World Spay Day | Spaying and Neutering in Dogs and Cats

Special Animals and Veterinary Emergency Relief Society (SAVERS) observed World Spay Day on February 27, 2024 at UVAS. Vet Crescent Society of UVAS and SPCA Punjab also conducted activities. They organized an awareness walk and highlighted the benefits of neutering and benefits of spaying. They also organized a workshop and demonstrated the practical aspects of spaying in dogs and neutering in dogs. Besides this, they also focused on spaying in cats and neutering in cats. Not only for population control, vets also use spaying and neutering techniques in different reproductive health issues. Ms. Kashaf Rasul highlighted these different aspects including types of spaying and types of neutering.

نیوٹرنگ اور سپیئنگ کے حوالے سے معلومات، جانوروں کی آبادی کنٹرول کرنے کے تکنیکی طریقے

Pet Vaccination and Kennel Management

Spaying and Neutering in Dogs and Cats

Spaying in dogs or neutering in dogs or cats is a surgical procedure. Surgeons perform it on animals to remove the reproductive organs. Moreover, spaying in dogs or cats or other animals is specifically the removal of reproductive organs in female. On the other hand, neutering or castration is the removal of reproductive organs in male. Main purpose of spaying in cats and dogs and neutering in dogs and cats is population control. On the other hand, professionals also also use to address different health issues of reproductive organs like pyometra , endometritis etc. Besides neutering in cats and dogs, there are also the benefits of spaying in dogs and other animals.

Procedure & Types of spaying and Neutering in Dogs and Cats

There are different types of spaying and types of neutering depending upon the procedure. Types of spaying and types of neutering also relate to the animal behavior.

For spaying and neutering in cats and dogs, anesthetist applies general anesthesia on the animal. During spaying, female reproductive organs are removed. A surgeon may remove ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes, which is called ovariohysterectomy. Moreover, a surgeon may also remove the ovaries only. It is called Ovariectomy. But, professionals prefer ovariohysterectomy over ovariectomy.

On the other hands, in neutering in dogs or neutering in cats, surgeon removes the testes in male. It is called orchiectomy. Neutering in male is also called Castration. So generally, spaying is the term for females for while neutering for males.

After the surgical removal through spaying and neutering, animal is completely sterile. Female loses its reproductive cycle completely and there is no hormonal activity. Similarly male also becomes completely sterile.

Pet Deworming 

Other Types of Spaying and Types of Neutering

On the other hand, there is the option to keep the reproductive hormonal activities while stopping the reproduction. This is the less common option. In this process, in female, surgeon removes the uterus and fallopian tubes while ovaries remain intact. This process is called hysterectomy.

On the contrary, in males. surgeon removes only vas deference, which is responsible for transferring the sperms from testicles to the urethra during ejaculation. This process is called vasectomy.

Best Age for Spaying and Neutering in Dogs and Cats

The recommended age for spaying or neutering is 4-5 months in cats and 6-9 months in dogs. Furthermore, a vet should decide the age depending upon the breed of animal. We should neuter or spay large breed animals later, as it affects the bone growth. Besides the breed, a vet should also care for the overall condition of the animal.

Benefits of Neutering and Benefits of Spaying:

There are different benefits of spaying and benefits of neutering. The primary benefit of neutering and spaying is to control the population of dogs and cats. Pet owners use these procedures, to keep the number of their pets under control. On the other hand, these techniques have primary importance for stray animals population control.

Besides population control, it also affects the behavior of animal. It has special effects on aggressiveness of animal. It reduces territorial aggression and fighting behavior in animals. Neutering and spaying in cats and dogs also reduces the wandering behavior. Studies have repeatedly shown that spayed or neutered dogs and cats live longer, on average, than other dogs and cats.

Yellow Cat Disease

There are also some medical benefits of neutering. Spaying before the first heat cycle substantially decreases the chances of mammary tumors in female animals. This process also reduces the chances of cancer of reproductive organs and other reproductive problems. Benefits of spying are more important in female animals.

History of World Spay Day:

World celebrates World Spay Day on fourth Tuesday of February every year. American Singer and Actress Doris Day started this day in 1995. She raised voice against the high rate of dog and cat euthanasia in overcrowded shelters. UVAS observed this day. They also demonstrated the neutering and spaying in cats and dogs.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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