Spay & Neuter

SPAY & NEUTER

Dogs Trust operate a Subsidised Neutering Scheme.

Please ring 1890 946 336

to see if you qualify.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT SPAYING AND NEUTERING DOGS/CATS

Why Do It?

Spaying and neutering should be the natural choice for all pet owners. Apart from population control, there is clear evidence that early neutering is better for the health of the individual animal.

When to Do It?

The latest recommendations from surgical staff at UCD are that neutering should be carried out at an earlier age than has previously been suggested and it is now recommended that:

* Both male and female cats should be neutered/spayed at 4-5 months of age.

* Both male and female dogs should be neutered/spayed at 5-6 months of age.

Female Dogs

For female dogs spaying obviously prevents pyometra (womb infection), but the effect on mammary cancer is the most significant health reason for early spaying of bitches (before their first season).

* Mammary cancer is the most common type of cancer in the bitch (52% of all tumours)

* Around 50% of mammary tumours are malignant

* Spaying a bitch at a young age dramatically reduces the risk of mammary cancer.

* Neutered prior to first oestrus: 0.05%

* Neutered between first & second oestrus: 8%

* Neutered after second oestrus: 26%

* Neutered after 2.5 years or 4 oestrus cycles: No effect

Therefore, if a bitch is neutered before her first season, she is 2,000 times less likely to develop mammary cancer than if she is left entire until she is three years of age.

Male Dogs

Testicular neoplasia is the second most common tumour in the male dog. As well as preventing this, early neutering also prevents prostatic disease (benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis/prostatic abscesses, prostatic cysts and paraprostatic cysts). Prostatic hyperplasia starts at 1-2 years of age with 95% of dogs affected by 9 years of age.

Female Cats

* Mammary cancer is the third most common form of neoplasm, though with a lower risk than in female dogs.

* 80% of feline mammary tumours are malignant.

* Entire cats are seven times more likely to develop mammary cancer than those spayed at puberty.

Male Cats

* Neutering reduces fighting behaviour by over 80%, significantly reducing cat bite abscesses, as well as reducing the risk of FIV infection.

* Neutering also significantly reduces male urine marking behaviour.

If references in support of any of the above statements are required, please contact Pete Wedderburn BVM&S CertVR MRCVS on (01) 282 1909.

The Problem:

Too many dogs/cats and not enough homes! An unspayed female cat, her unneutered mate and all of their offspring, producing 2 litters per years, with 2.8 surviving kittens per year can total 11,606,077 cats in only 9 years. (Source: Spay USA)

The Solution:

Have your own pet spayed or neutered. Encourage friends, family and neighbours to have their animals spayed and neutered. Sponsor the spaying and neutering of a shelter animal.

What Do the Terms "Spaying" and "Neutering" Mean:

Spaying" and Neutering" are surgical procedures used to prevent pets from reproducing. In a female animal, "spaying" consists of removing the uterus and ovaries. The technical term is ovario-hysterectomy. For a male animal, "neutering" involves the removal of the testicles, and this is known as castration.

Does It Hurt:

As the surgery is done under a general anaesthetic it is painless. The operation for both males and for females is straightforward and low risk. Recovery is usually uneventful. The worst your pet might experience is some discomfort for a short time after the operation.

The Myths:

Should a Female Pet Have One Litter First:

Allowing a female dog or cat to produce a litter does not have any benefits. There are health risks to the mother during the pregnancy and when giving birth. Finding good homes for puppies and kittens isn't easy. Plus, even if you manage to place your pet's offspring, you are in essence condemning that number of unwanted shelter and pound animals.

I want my children to 'experience the miracle of birth:

This isn't a very good reason to let your animal procreate. First, animals usually give birth in a secluded place. Second, wouldn't it be better to teach your children the importance of responsible pet ownership? Once again, do you want to contribute to the misery of overpopulation. Scan the papers, talk to your vet, and/or call local pounds and animal welfare groups. They'll tell you about the box after box of litters they receive; most of which are destroyed. Then there are those who consider dumping or drowning an alternative.

Is this the way to treat precious life?

Spaying and Neutering are not natural:

Humans domesticated animals and brought them into our lives. The environment we and our pets live in is very different from the 'natural' one. We have made them dependent on us, which means we are responsible for their well being, just as we are with any other family member. What's natural about getting 'rid' of the resultant litters of unspayed animals in dumpsters, paper bags, boxes, poisoning, drowning or destruction in the pound?

They are living breathing creatures who were born unwanted…...

What kind of cruel cycle is that to create?

Will My Pet Become Fat and Lazy Once He or She is Sterilized:

No. Your pet will actually benefit from spaying or neutering, because he or she will lead a healthier and longer life. Pets become fat and lazy as a result of overeating and a lack of exercise, not from spaying or neutering. Furthermore, spaying a female eliminates the possibility of her developing uterine and/or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the chance of breast cancer. Neutering a male reduces the incidence of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer.

Will It Change My Pet's Personality:

Generally not. For a female there is virtually no change at all. For males it usually results in a diminishing of some aggressive behaviours. Spayed/neutered pets are free from sexual anxiety and are, therefore, calmer and more content to stay at home. Neutered tom cats generally don't spray. You also have the peace of mind that you are not adding to the pet overpopulation. Also, if you have more than one pet, you will find they get along much better if they are all spayed or neutered.

What is It Going To Cost To Spay/Neuter My Pet:

The cost of spaying or neutering your pet depends on many factors. For example, a large dog will cost more than a small dog; if your pet is overweight or in season this can also add to the cost. Contact your veterinarian to get a more accurate idea of the costs involved for your pet. The cost of spaying/neutering is really quite small when compared, for example, to what you will spend on food for your pet over its lifetime. Also consider the possible costs if you do not spay and neuter. If your pet should wander off in search of a mate, you may be faced with paying fines and impoundment costs. You may also be faced with the additional costs of maintaining puppies or kittens for whom finding homes may be difficult. Worse yet, think of the costs should your pet be injured while roaming for a mate.

Does Having My Pet Spayed/Neutered Make Me A Responsible Pet Owner:

Having your pet spayed or neutered is one important part of being a responsible pet owner. Being responsible also means providing your pet with a warm, safe and loving environment, food and water, exercise, and proper veterinary care. You should also obey the leash, "poop and scoop", and licensing laws in your community.

Spaying and Neutering Animals can contribute to the community on three levels:

1) Ethical:

Reducing the number of animals born is the only ethical solution to overpopulation that will have a long-term

effect. Killing is not an ethical means of reducing the number of animals.

2) Financial:

Increasing the number of animals sterilized will reduce the number of animals born and will, therefore,

reduce the number of animals entering shelters/rescues/pounds.

This in turn, will reduce animal control costs.

3) Public Health and Safety:

Reducing the number of animals born will benefit public health and safety.

For example, a reduction in surplus animals will mean a reduction in:

feral communities of dumped cats, animals causing traffic hazards, cat fights and noise of stray (and

owned) cats in heat.

The above was copied with permission from Spay Week Ireland.

In 2010

5,294 dogs were Put to Sleep or died of natural causes in our

Irish Dog Pounds run by County Councils and also those run by the ISPCA.

That is 14 dogs per day .. 365 days a year.

Over 101 dogs every week in every month in the year 2010

The only reason the kill rates are down is thanks to lots of Rescue’s taking dogs from their Local Dog Pounds and getting them homes or sending them to the UK.

This killing has to stop.

You as an responsible owner can stop this NEEDLESS KILLING by Neutering your dog.

Please be Responsible and Spay/Neuter Your Pet.

For more information go to our Spay/Neutering Page

The above figures are not taking into account dogs that were pts at Vets or dogs that died due to road accidents, at the hands of their owners or animals that died due to cruelty.

2011 figures have not been released yet.

Reunions at the Bridge

The young pup and the older dog lay on shaded sweet grass watching the reunions. Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a whole family would approach the Rainbow Bridge and be greeted by their loving pets and cross the bridge together.

The young pup playfully nipped at the older one. "Look! Something wonderful is happening!" The older dog stood up and barked, "Quickly. Get over to the path." "But that's not my owner," whined the pup, but he did as he was told.

Thousands of pets surged forward as a figure in white walked on the path toward the bridge. As the glowing figure passed each animal, that animal bowed its head in love and respect. The figure finally approached the bridge, and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals. Together, they all walked over the bridge and disappeared.

The young pup was still in awe. "Was that an angel?" he whispered. "No, son." The older dog replied. "That was more than an angel. That was a person who worked in rescue.

Spay Week Ireland 2011

23rd May to 29th 2011

For More Information on how to be a responsible owner.

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