THE  OREGON  CAT  PROJECT
2012

Spay & Neuter

                                   

Peggy W. Larson, DVM, MS of
Williston, VT recently made this video in her spay clinic on how to spay a cat in 5 minutes. A group of spay veterinarians worked together on Indian Reservations for several years and perfected this technique. This video would probably be of interest to veterinarians and perhaps a very well trained tech who could discuss the technique with her or his vet.

Anesthesia is much more dangerous for animals or humans than the surgery itself. If you can shorten the anesthetic time, you can save lives. Shorter anesthetic time means faster recovery time. A five minute spay does not deplete the cat. Normally spaying a cat takes between 15 minutes and half an hour, depending on the experience of the veterinarian.

Every time tissue is touched, varying amounts of inflammation occur. A good surgeon knows that the best protocol is to "get in and get out". Some veterinary surgeons claim that a larger incision allows them to look at the organs in the body cavity. Sort of an "exploratory" during the spay. Unless the incision was three inches long or longer, the organs cannot be adequately seen. Obviously, smaller incisions heal faster because the body does not have to overcome the inflammatory response caused by excessive handling of the tissues.

Smaller is better. Cats will recover much better with a five minute surgery.

WHY YOU SHOULD SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR CATS AND KITTENS
  1. Your female cat will live a longer, healthier life.
    Spaying—the removal of the ovaries and uterus—is a veterinary procedure performed under general anesthesia that usually requires minimal hospitalization. Spaying a female cat  helps prevent pyometra (pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Breast cancer can be fatal in about  90 percent of female cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat (as early as 4 months) offers the best protection from these diseases.
  2. There are major health benefits for your male animal companion, too.
    Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male  cat—the surgical removal of the testicles—prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
  3. Your spayed female won't go into heat.
    While cycles can vary greatly, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all     over the house.
  4. Your pet will be much better behaved.
    Neutered cats  focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house.
  5. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
    Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
  6. Spaying or neutering is highly cost-effective.
    The cost of your pet's spay or neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with neighborhood strays…or the cost of cleaning the carpet that your unspayed female keeps mistaking for her litter box, or the cost of…well, you get the idea!
  7. It's good for the community.
    Stray animals pose real problems in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause vehicular accidents, harm children and destroy landscaping.
  8. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to witness the miracle of birth.
    We've heard this one a lot. But you know what? Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping teaches your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth. There are countless books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner.
  9. It packs a powerful punch in the fight against pet overpopulation.
    Millions of cats of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.                                                                                      
  10. Public Safety:  Homeless companion animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and anger citizens who are insensitive to their suffering or their needs. Some of these animals scare away or prey upon wildlife—such as birds—or frighten children and seniors.
  11. Tax Consequences: Each year communities are forced to spend millions of taxpayer dollars trying to cope with the consequences of this surplus of companion animals.  These public services include investigating animal cruelty, humanely picking up stray animals, sheltering, adopting or destroying lost and homeless animals. It is estimated that for every dollar spent on spaying and neutering, taxpayers save over $18                 
  12. Mass sterilization of  cats will result in fewer shelter deaths, a safer community and economical use of tax dollars.
  13. Because it is the right thing to do.
Content copyright . The Oregon Cat. All rights reserved.
Web Hosting