Early Spay and Neuter
The following question and answer is quoted from a former page of the Best Friends animalNet "Ask the Vet" web site. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary veterinarian Dr. Richard Allen is the answerer.
A lot of veterinarians are recommending spay/neuter at a very early age. Is it really safe? And what is the youngest possible age?
Juvenile spay/neuter is the only way to go. It is recommended without exception. A few of the ivory tower guys have reported some growth plate changes, but this is just so they can publish and not fall out of their ivory towers and hurt their heads. I have never seen anything but good come from juvenile spay/neuter. It can be done as early as you can get them to the clinic. Youngsters heal fast!! They are strong and don't present difficult anesthetic risks. Their bodies haven't been under the influence of nasty hormones yet, so we don't have to use spay/neuter to undo what's already done. I've seen spay/neuter done at four weeks and the pups and kittens were allowed to nurse on mom an hour after surgery. I'm begging clients to incorporate spay/neuter into their shot series at the second or third visit. I did my dog Zack at seven weeks, the first day we met, and I've done two whole years of loving, caring things for him since. He's lean, sleek and active. He's sweet around other animals. No testosterone to make him snarly. He even likes my eight-year-old cat, Nugget.
According to Wayside Waifs, "Other groups that support early spaying and neutering include the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Kennel Club, American Humane Association, Doris Day Animal League, and the Cat Fanciers Association.
"In addition to helping reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats, this procedure has numerous long-term health benefits for pets. Many uninformed pet owners allow their animals to breed indiscriminately, and this has contributed to the staggering problem of pet overpopulation."
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