Question:
As a volunteer for a no-kill cat rescue, we do juvenile spays and neuters of kittens prior to adoption. I have heard several times from people looking to adopt or foster that this is not healthy to do at such a young age. Could you address this with current research so we have something to back up what we do? I have heard that the research shows no problems but have never actually seen articles stating this. It would be beneficial to have it in writing for when it does come up.
Thank you.
Diane
Answer:
Dear Diane,
Neutering before adoption is becoming more commonly practiced at animal shelters across the United States.
Humane organizations have been performing early age spaying and neutering on puppies and kittens for about 30 years. Today, the practice is widely endorsed, even by conservative organizations: "The American Veterinary Medical Association supports the concept of early (prepubertal, 8 to 16 weeks of age) spay/neuter in dogs and cats in an effort to reduce the number of unwanted animals of these species."1
Many controlled prospective and retrospective studies have been performed to demonstrate that early age spaying and neutering (prepuberal gonadectomy) is safe. The most recent study was performed at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Published in February of 2004, the study concludes that "because early-age gonadectomy appears to offer more benefits than risks for male dogs, animal shelters can safely gonadectomize male dogs at a young age and veterinary practitioners should consider recommending routine gonadectomy for client-owned male dogs before the traditional age of 6 to 8 months. For female dogs, however, increased urinary incontinence suggests that delaying gonadectomy until at least 3 months of age may be beneficial."2
An August 2002 study on early age spay-neutering of puppies and kittens 6 to 14 weeks of age at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine states "Pediatric gonadectomy surgeries are quick with minimal bleeding. Anesthetic recovery is rapid. No significant short-term or long-term effects have been reported. Prepuberal gonadectomy is most useful for humane organizations and conscientious breeders wishing to preclude reproduction of pet dogs and cats while placing animals at a young enough age to optimize socialization and training."3
Another study on early age neutering of dogs and cats in the US by Guide Dogs for the Blind states "Early-age neutering does not stunt growth in dogs and cats (a once-held belief), but may alter metabolic rates in cats. The anesthetic and surgical procedures are apparently safe for young puppies and kittens; morbidity is lower and recovery is faster than adult animals. To date, adverse side effects are apparently no greater in animals neutered at early ages (7 weeks) than those neutered at the conventional age (7 months)."4
Lastly, a study performed by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University states that "Prepubertal gonadectomy did not result in an increased incidence of behavioral problems or problems associated with any body system, compared with traditional-age gonadectomy, during a median follow-up period of 48 months after gonadectomy. With the exception of infectious diseases, prepubertal gonadectomy may be safer performed in dogs without concern for increased incidence of physical or behavioral problems during at least a 4-year period after gonadectomy."5
I hope these studies help provide the back-up you are looking for.
Thank you for your question.
Regards,
Laurie Peek, DVM
1 AVMA welfare positions evolve. AVMA news. June 1, 2004
2 Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs. Spain V., et al. JAVMA, Vol 224, No. 3, February 1, 2004, pp 380-387.
3 Early spay-neuter: clinical considerations. Kustritz M. V. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract. August, 2002; 17(3), pp124-128.
4 Early-age neutering of dogs and cats in the United States (a review). Olson P. N., et al. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 2001 (57), pp223-232.
5 Long-term outcome of gonadectomy performed at an early age or traditional age in dogs. Howe L. M., et al. JAVMA, Vol 218, No 2, January 15, 2001, pp217-221.
