Some of the advantages of neutering are;
In addition to being a birth control method,
neutering has health benefits. Hormone-associated diseases, such as benign
prostatic hypertrophy, are prevented. Female cats and dogs are seven times
more likely to develop mammary tumors if they are not spayed before their
first heat cycle. A dangerous common uterine infection, as pyrometer,
is also prevented. Uterine, ovarian, and testicular cancer, are also
prevented for obvious reasons, although these types of cancer are uncommon
to begin with.
Some of the disadvantages are, as with any surgical procedure, immediate
complications of neutering, include the usual anesthetic and surgical
complications, such as bleeding and infection. These risks are relatively
low in routine spaying and neutering; however, they may be increased for
some animals, due to pre-existing other health factors.
In the long run, dogs and cats of both genders
have an increased risk of obesity. Stump pyometra, may still occur in
females. Spayed female dogs sometimes develop urinary incontinence, and
castrated males display a somewhat increased incidence of prostate
cancer over intact males. Neutered dogs have also been known to develop
hormone-responsive alopecia (hair loss). Dogs of both genders are at a
twofold excess risk to develop osteosarcoma, as compared to intact dogs.
In addition, neutered male
dogs are at higher risk than intact males, of developing moderate to severe
geriatric cognitive impairment (geriatric cognitive impairment includes
disorientation in the house or outdoors, changes in social interactions with
human family members, loss of house training, and changes in the sleep-wake
cycle).
As compared to intact males,
neutered male cats are at an increased risk for certain problems associated
with feline lower urinary tract disease, including the presence of stones,
or a plug in the urethra and urethral blockage.
