Part I of the From Start to Ovariohysterectomy series was focused on the benefits of spaying and neutering and the myths that surround sterlization procedures.

Mandatory spay and neuter legislation is being enacted all over the country. As such, the debate has entered the mainstream media and an informative article on MSNBC outlines the risks and the controversy surrounding the legislation. In light of Ella Bean’s impending spay surgery, it seemed valuable to include this pertinent discussion.

Mandatory Sterilization?

Because of the pet overpopulation problem, Los Angeles, CA has passed legislation that will require cats and dogs over 4 months of age to be spayed or neutered, or risk facing fines up to $500. Palm Beach and North Las Vegas have recently passed similar laws and nearly a dozen other cities are mulling over the details of mandatory spay and neuter legislation.

As more cities pass legislation that requires pet owners to sterilize, the critics of such legislation have begun to make noise, stirring up a great deal of confusion for pet owners, who just want to do whats best for their beloved four legged family members.

Critics of the legislation are standing behind Every dog has different needs. While Louis had a pediatric neuter at 10 weeks old, Ella Bean is nearing 8 months of age and is due for her surgery this Friday. There are benefits to a pediatric spay/neuter. You can read about those benefits here.

Louis rarely, if ever lifts his leg and never marks his territory. He also has never exhibited humping or other dominant behaviors. My childhood dog was neutered later and was extremely dominant marked his territory everywhere. Louis is 4X the size of Ella Bean and was twice her current weight when he was neutered. (Neutering is also a much less complex procedure then spaying.) For Ella, it is good that we waited, as far as her deciduous teeth situation. Because she has not lost many of her baby teeth, they can be pulled while she is already anesthesia.

Conflicting Information

For as many studies that tout the health benefits of spaying and neutering, there are studies that support the opposite claim - that sterilization actually can increase risk of some cancers, incontinence and thyroid issues. Studies also show that some of the aggression and behavior issues that were thought to be curtailed by spay or neuter procedures, may not actually be helped.

WHAT? This flies in the face of everything I have been taught about dog rearing!!

So what is the truth?

Well, everything depends on your specific dog. How old he or she is when the procedure is preformed, the breed of the dog and lifestyle must all be taken into consideration. Large and giant breed dogs, for instance, may fare better if they undergo the procedure after their growth plates are closed, at about 12-14 months. I realize that isn’t very helpful, but find a vet you trust and work with him or her to decide what is right for your pet.

If you purchased a purebred from a reputable breeder, they will have definite opinions about when their puppies should be sterilized and those opinions will be based on experience with the breed. For those who adopt, often times the procedure takes place before your pet comes home with you.

This is a definite departure from the archaic ‘6 month’ approach - which many vets still practice. According to MSNBC’s article, this notion dates to the 1960’s and 70’s when it was found that spayed and neutered dogs showed a decrease in undesirable behaviors and spaying females before their first estrus cycle nearly eliminated the risk of mammary cancer, which commonly occurs otherwise.

Risks vs. Reward

The actual risks associated with sterilization are minimal, but they are real.

Experts disagree when the surgery should take place, but they do ultimately agree that spaying and neutering is what is best for pets. There is no risk that outweighs the benefits of sterilization.

Given that this fact is agreed on, and millions of animals are euthanized each year, it seems to me it would be a far better use of financial resources to direct money toward providing communties with low cost or, even better, free spay and neuters then directing money and energy at passing legislation that requires the sterilization of pets and collecting fines from those who don’t sterilize.

For more information on the benefits of spaying and neutering, please see From Start to Ovariohysterectomy Part I and please check out Kim Campbell Thornton’s article on MSNBC.

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