We all know that neutering your pet is important to curb pet overpopulation. But did you know that there are a variety of options available? Spay and neuter surgeries most often conducted in the U.S. involve removal of the uterus and ovaries in females and the testicles in males. In other countries, just the ovaries are traditionally removed during a spay surgery. And we are now finding that gonadectomy (removal of the gonads or sex organs) may be related to other health concerns. A study by Zinc and colleagues (2014) reported that gonadectomized Vizslas had higher incidences of cancer and behavior problems than intact dogs.
As we learn more, veterinarians are beginning to offer a number of procedures, such as vasectomy and ovary-sparing spay, in addition to traditional spay and neuter. Make sure you know your options and discuss them with your veterinarian to find the best fit for your pet.
