Elective surgical procedure used to permanently pervent breeding
Dogs:
+: prevent breed, reduce mammary tumours in bitches (if before 1st season) and prostate disease in males, prevent uterine and ovarian disease in bitches (pyometra) and testicular disease in males, reduce behaviours like pseudopregnancy/roaming/marking.
-: If before skeletal maturity it may predispose to development of OA and joint disease, increase the risk of cancer in some breeds, sapying may lead to increased risk of urinary incontience in some but evidence weak, sometimes may cause increase in agression and stress related behaviour if already present.
Factors: can they prevent accidental breeding, can they afford possible complications (pyo), is the breed at risk of joint disease/neoplasia/incontience, any behavioural issues?
Cats:
+: pervent breed, reduce behaviours such as urine spray oraming and aggression in males, reduce risk of behaviour associated with oestrus, reduce risk of mammary tumours, reduce risk of FIV and FeLV in males, prevent uterine and ovarian disease (pyo), prevent testicular disease, conservation
-: increased obesity risk, increased DM risk, Increased FLUTD risk in males.
Less evidence in cats of long term health risks, neuter early from 4months
Rabbits:
+: prevent breeding, prevent uterine adenocarcinoma + other uterine/ovarian pathology, prevent testicular disease, allow mixed sex groups, reduce unwanted behaviours urine spray/pseudopregnancy/aggression
-: risk of GI stasis, risk obesity, osteoporosis in females possible link
Appropriate social groups, lower surgical complication rates earlier (4-6 months, as soon as testicles become scrotal)
Flea:
Outdoor: preventative treat with insecticide or insect growth regulators
Indoor: visual inspect and treat as necessary
Animals with flea allergy: routine preventative with insecticide
Tick:
Outdoor: preventative in tick season (Mar-Oct)
Indoor: visual inspection
Abroad: preventative for exotic tick species
Roundwom:
Pregnant: preventative
Young: every 2 weaks until wean or 6 months
Adult: risk assess, FEC
Tapeworm:
Zoonotic
Routine for outdoor access in high prevalent areas or farms
Others: individual assess, FEC
Lungworm:
Endemic so routine monthly recommended
Pathogenic bacteria such as salmonella, listeria or E. coli increased risk
Risk of bones that can damage the tract
Risk of deficiencies if poorly formulated
Can be done more safely following strict rules
Research is currently growing on the topic