Why Neuter?

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‘Neutering’ is a term that refers to sterilizing a male dog or cat. It can also apply to females, but a more appropriate term for females would be ‘spaying’. This article will address the male aspect, and we will dwell on females next month.

Basically, neutering involves the surgical removal of the testicles of an animal (I guess it could apply to humans, too, but that thought makes me shudder!) You hear a lot of pet owners, veterinarians, rescue groups, Bob Barker, and the like harping on neutering your pet. Why? Well, primarily to keep them from making babies! Please reMEMBER that the Memphis Animal Shelter is still euthanizing about 2000 dogs and cats EVERY MONTH! Okay, I know that that reason isn’t enough for some of you, and I have heard all of the arguments, ranging from “My dog never leaves the backyard” to “I can’t take away Buddy’s manhood!” Fine.

Here are some other reasons why you should neuter your pet:

• Neutering reduces the risk of prostatic disease later in life. Chronic testosterone stimulation of the prostate leads to benign enlargement with age. This happens normally in all males that are left intact into adulthood (humans, too!). As the prostate enlarges, these changes predispose it to form cysts and becoming infected. Not fun. The only way to effectively reverse these changes is to remove the testosterone source, a.k.a. the testicles. Yes, even if the dog is old.
  
  
• Neutering reduces the risk of perianal tumors and eliminates the risk of testicular tumors. Keep in mind that testicular cancer in males is just as prevalent as breast cancer in females, and can be just as deadly. No testicles, no testicular cancer. This is even more important when a testicle is retained in the abdomen. Approximately 50% of retained testicles become cancerous, usually with a tumor that produces estrogen, called a sertoli cell tumor. This estrogen actually makes the dog produce pheromones like a female in heat, and attracts other males. How’s that for irony!
  
  
• Neutering reduces or eliminates problem behaviors. Studies have shown that the interest in roaming is eliminated in 90% of neutered dogs and cats. Aggressive behavior against other male dogs is eliminated in 60% of neutered dogs and 90% of neutered cats. Urine marking is eliminated in 50% of neutered male dogs and 90% of neutered cats. Inappropriate mounting is eliminated in 70% of neutered dogs. Cats usually don’t do that. It’s a dog thing.
  
  
• Neutering does not lead to obesity or laziness, nor does it inhibit growth. Eating too much and not exercising leads to obesity. I think a lot of us can attest to that. Getting in the habit of sleeping all day on the couch because no one is playing with you leads to laziness. As for affecting growth, testosterone has been demonstrated to slow bone growth with age, and dogs neutered very young (at about 8 weeks of age) actually grew larger than their un-neutered siblings!

For more information on neutering you pet dog or cat, visit www.veterinarypartner.com, and look under the Dog or Cat menu to find the Pet Health Care Library. There are lots of great articles written for pet owners there, including Canine Neuter FAQ and Neutering the Male Cat. Or ask your veterinarian about it. Heck, that’s why we’re here!

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