When it comes to castration of a female animal (ovarian hysterectomy in a dog or cat), a number of advantages have to be highlighted for this operation. Here's a brief summary:
From a medical point of view, castrated female animals live longer and are healthier because they avoid a number of diseases related to the function of the gonads.
Castration Can Prevent or Reduce the Risk of the Following Diseases:
1. Mammary gland tumors
2. Tumors of the uterus and ovaries
5. Hormone related anemias
6. Pseudo pregnancy
7. Hormonal skin diseases
8. Unwanted behavior (aggression, etc.).
We must emphasize that early castration, made prior to the first oestrus leads to an insignificant risk (about 0.5% in castrated animals) for the development of mammary tumors. Only after the first oestrus the risk increases to 23%, or 40 times!!! The reason is the high levels of estrogens that are released during the oestrus period. And only after the third oestris the risk remains about 32%, whether or not castration will be done. These are statistics, but unfortunately they correspond to the reality - some of the frequent operations performed in our clinics are precisely those for the removal of mammary tumors. Surgical removal does not always solve the problem - 90% of cats tumors and 60% in dogs are malignant and can cause fatal metastasis in vital organs.
On the other hand, it is important to emphasize that single-handed labor and birth have NO positive effect on the health of the mother, contrary to the opinion of many farmers!
The question is not simply "letting her have babies" the health of the female animal may be at greater risk during pregnancy and a difficult birth, in comparison to a routine castration!
The owners of the not castrated animals must be ready for the following unpleasant moments - female dogs elicit bloody leaks from the vulva for 2-3 weeks or longer, this may involve serious cleaning. During the oestrus (being in heat), behavioral changes are possible - aggression, search for males, it is possible for your animal to escape. Consideration should be given to the risk of unwanted pregnancy and the difficulties involved in preventing it.
Owners of castrated animals enjoy tax benefits.
A non-spayed female cat and it generations can multiply to 420,000 in seven years!
Fixing of male animals, is not always done solely because of its health benefits.
Male cats are neutered mostly because of their tendency to 'mark/spray' their territory, that is to urinate in unwanted places around their home (so called gender-based behavior) and their desire to "wander" in search of female cats, which often includes falling from high floors! Fixing prevents battles with other cats, and a lot of other trauma related to the quest for females. Also, neutered male cats are often more relaxed and their owners rarely have issues with feline aggression.
Owners who want to castrate their male dogs is the rarest case in our vet clinic. However, some diseases can be avoided with castration:
1. Reduce the risk of prostate diseases
2. Perineal hernias
3. Perianal adenomas
4. Hormonal skin lesions
5. Testicular Tumors
6. Unwanted behavior - aggression
Your dog is unlikely to have a strong desire to wander or mark territory.
Author: Dr. Vladislav Zlatinov
Source: Intimate with the Nature Society