Benefits of Spaying Cats: Reduced Tumor Risk & Ovarian

In the 1950s, following the end of World War II, the focus of the humanitarian movement shifted towards pet sterilization. It was around this time that sterilization was labeled as a "duty." The driving force behind this change was the renowned ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

In the 1960s, the ASPCA initiated free sterilization surgeries and subsidies, leading to a significant portion of American humanitarian organizations openly opposing and banning the adoption of unsterilized stray animals.

From the 1970s to the 1980s, the ASPCA in Maryland took the lead in sterilizing young stray cats and dogs, adhering to the rule that "unsterilized animals cannot be adopted." This policy was applied regardless of whether the stray cats and dogs had reached the age for sterilization.

It was after the 1980s that pet sterilization began to become a de facto rule. While some veterinarians have questioned this, their concerns have been largely ignored due to the small scale of their concerns.

Should You Sterilize Your Pet?

Let's first understand the estrus process in cats from an objective perspective.

Cats typically experience their first estrus around 6 to 8 months of age, with females usually starting a bit earlier than males. Individual differences may occur, with some cats going into estrus as early as 3 months, while others may not until they are 12 months old.

Females can have up to three estrus periods per year, usually in early spring, summer, and autumn, with each estrus lasting 2 to 4 days. They do not go into estrus during pregnancy. Males will also go into estrus when they detect the calls and scents of females. Estrus in cats leads to increased hormonal secretion, causing them to become restless, wander away from home, and even fight.

Benefits of Sterilization

1. Reduces the Risk of Birth Complications: Cats can experience dystocia, and the risk and probability vary by breed. Generally, the risk for domestic cats is around 0.4%, with the risk for Devon Rex cats reaching an astonishing 42%. Risks during pregnancy include toxicosis, diabetes, uterine torsion and rupture, and bacterial infections.

2. Decreases the Risk of Mammary Tumors: The risk of mammary tumors in females is approximately 25%. While this risk is lower than in dogs, mammary tumors in cats are extremely dangerous. Sterilization can effectively reduce the risk of developing tumors. Female cats sterilized before their first estrus have a 91% reduced risk, and those sterilized before one year of age have an 86% reduced risk. If an unsterilized middleaged female cat develops unusual breast lumps, immediate medical attention is necessary.

3. Prevents Uterine Pyometra: Uterine pyometra is caused by excessive hormonal stimulation in the body, leading to the accumulation of pus in the reproductive system. It is more common in unsterilized older female cats, with a prevalence of about 7%. It can be treated surgically, with the risk of the condition depending on when it is discovered.

4. Reduces Behavioral Issues:

Sterilized cats no longer go into estrus and do not howl at night.

Their curiosity about the outside world decreases, reducing the likelihood of them trying to escape.

Sterilization can reduce their territorial instincts, making them more calm and docile.

Controlling the Population of Stray Cats in Cities:

It is important to note that the number of stray cats in cities depends on the responsibility of pet owners, not solely on surgical solutions.

Risks of Sterilization

While sterilization is not a panacea, it does come with its own set of drawbacks.

1. Surgical Risks: Surgery always carries risks, depending on the surgeon's experience. The incidence of complications is approximately 2.6% to 20%, most of which are minor and do not require treatment. It is crucial to choose a reputable veterinary hospital.

2. Cancer Risks: Some studies suggest that sterilization may increase the risk of prostate cancer, vascular cancer, and other conditions in dogs, although this has not been mentioned for cats. However, it is not excluded that cats may also be at risk.

3. Joint and Bone Diseases: Sterilization may increase the risk of arthritis and hip dysplasia. The exact cause is not clear, but it is believed to be related to obesity after sterilization or to structural abnormalities in the joints caused by sterilization.

4. Obesity and Diabetes: Sterilization can exacerbate the tendency towards obesity in cats, significantly increasing the risk of diabetes.

Other Diseases: Sterilization may also increase the risk of urinary incontinence, lower urinary tract diseases, hypothyroidism, and urinary tract issues, although the overall probability is low. It is important to be aware of these risks but not overly concerned.

When to Sterilize

Many people online suggest that the optimal age for sterilization in cats is around 6 months. However, some argue that sterilization at this age may be too early. Here are some references for parents to consider:

In 2015, Brennen McKenzie's article "Evaluating the benefits and risks of neutering dogs and cats" recommended sterilizing all cats and dogs not intended for breeding to prevent diseases. For male cats and dogs, the benefits of sterilization are not significantly greater than the risks, and sterilization should be done before the first estrus in females.

In 2007, Laura J. Sanborn's study "LongTerm Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay/Neuter in Dogs" suggested that health problems related to sterilization may outweigh the health benefits in most cases. Traditional sterilization at 6 months of age may expose dogs to health risks, and sterilization should be delayed until the dog's body matures unless medically necessary.

In 2013, M J Farnworth's research paper "Veterinary attitudes towards prepubertal gonadectomy of cats: a comparison of samples from New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom" indicated that 89.5% of veterinarians believe sterilization can be performed before puberty, while 10.5% do not recommend it. The average age of sterilization for female cats in the UK was 4.3 months, in Australia 3.4 months, and in New Zealand 3.2 months.

In 2004, DVM C. Victor Spain and others' paper "Longterm risks and benefits of earlyage gonadectomy in dogs" suggested that early sterilization can increase the risk of hip dysplasia, noise phobia, incontinence, and bladder inflammation in male dogs. Therefore, it is recommended that male dogs be sterilized at 68 months and female dogs at 910 months.

How Sterilization Is Performed

The sterilization surgery for male cats involves removing both testicles under general anesthesia. This is a relatively simple surgery, usually performed without stitches using a selfligation technique.

Male cats may also have a condition called cryptorchidism, where the testicles do not descend into the scrotum but instead remain in the abdomen. Most cryptorchid testicles become malignant tumors as the cat ages, so it is important to confirm this with the surgeon before the operation.

Preparation Before Sterilization

If you have decided to have your cat sterilized, it is important to prepare for the surgery.

Fasting and Hydration: Cats should be fasting for 8 hours before surgery and allowed to drink water for 4 hours before the procedure. Follow the doctor's instructions after surgery.

Items to Prepare: A small cat cage for limited activity, a neck collar of appropriate size, and a surgical gown (usually provided by the hospital).

Preoperative Examination: The doctor will perform a health check on the cat before the surgery, which typically includes routine checks, blood tests, and biochemical tests. The results will help determine the appropriate anesthesia and surgical methods. If the cat has a special breed, additional tests such as antibody tests, virus screenings, and genetic disease screenings may be performed.

PostSterilization Care

After sterilization, male cats do not require additional care but should be restricted from physical activity, monitored for bleeding or swelling, and a neck collar should be worn to prevent them from licking the incision.

Female cats will need to wear a surgical gown and a neck collar after sterilization.

Cats may have a poor appetite immediately after sterilization. If they do not eat for a long time, it is appropriate to feed them by forcefeeding to ensure their energy levels. Provide a quiet environment for them to rest and avoid visitors to prevent stress reactions.