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| Common questions about canine and feline reproduction |
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Dr. Basil Sands
Published: May 22, 2012
Spaying is the removal of female reproductive organs — the ovaries and uterus. Spaying of animals decreases the likelihood of unwanted litters, it decreases the incidence of mammary tumor in older dogs and cats, decreases the incidence of uterine disease, most notably, pyometra. There is also a decreased incidence of sexually dimorphic behaviors. It is my opinion and recommendation that dogs and cats should be spayed after three months of age, but before the onset of their first estrus cycle — thus I recommend five to six months is an ideal age to do so.
The best age to castrate a male dog or cat Castration is the removal of a male’s reproductive organs which is the testicle. Because castrating dogs and cats will decrease the incidence of sexually dimorphic behavior, decreased incidence of disease of the prostate and testes. The sexually dimorphic behavior best controlled by castration are mounting, roaming, urine marking and aggression. The only significant disadvantage of castration is weight gain, crucial ligament injuries and certain cancer like bone (osteosarcoma) and blood (hemangiosarcoma). In cats we see an increase in the incidence of urethral obstruction. I recommend that dogs and cats should be castrated at five to six months of age.
Normal physical examination findings Normal rectal temperature varies by age, averaging 96 degrees Fahrenheit in the first seven days of life, 98 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit from seven to 21 days and gradually achieving adult values by seven weeks of age. The eyelids open at about 10 to 14 days on average. The ear canals are closed until 14 to 21 days. Teeth erupt in a predictable manner, allowing use of dentition to determine age. The first teeth erupt at two to three weeks. The most common disorders of the skin are fleas and dermatophytosis (ringworm). Puppies and kittens start crawling at seven to 14 days. They start walking and urinating and defecating spontaneously at 14 to 21 days.
Causes of failure to thrive in puppies and kittens Puppies and kittens should be seen if they are not gaining weight. Owners should weigh them at birth and every day thereafter. Environmental causes are hypothermia, hyperthermia, environmental toxins and maternal factors. Genetic causes are developed mentally and abnormally like cleft palate. Infectious causes such as bacteria and viruses are always a problem. Internal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, coccidia and giardia are a big concern.
Spaying of animals decreases the likelihood of unwanted litters, it decreases the incidence of mammary tumor in older dogs and cats, decreases the incidence of uterine disease, most notably, pyometra. There is also a decreased incidence of sexually dimorphic behaviors. It is my opinion and recommendation that dogs and cats should be spayed after three months of age, but before the onset of their first estrus cycle — thus I recommend five to six months is an ideal age to do so. The best age to castrate a male dog or cat Castration is the removal of a male’s reproductive organs which is the testicle. Because castrating dogs and cats will decrease the incidence of sexually dimorphic behavior, decreased incidence of disease of the prostate and testes. The sexually dimorphic behavior best controlled by castration are mounting, roaming, urine marking and aggression. The only significant disadvantage of castration is weight gain, crucial ligament injuries and certain cancer like bone (osteresarcoma) and blood (hermagiosarcoma). In cats we see an increase in the incidence of urethral obstruction. I recommend that dogs and cats should be castrated at five to six months of age. Normal physical examination findings Normal rectal temperature varies by age, averaging 96 degreses Fahrenheit in the first seven days of life, 98 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit from seven to 21 days and gradually achieving adult values by seven weeks of age. The eyelids open at about 10 to 14 days on average. The ear canals are closed until 14 to 21 days. Teeth erupt in a predictable manner, allowing use of dentitition to determine age. The first teeth erupt at two to three weeks. The most common disorders of the skin are fleas and dermatophytosis (ringworm). Puppies and kittens start crawling at seven to 14 days. They start walking and urinating and defecating spontaneously at 14 to 21 days. Causes of failure to thrive in puppies and kittens Puppies and kittens should be seen if they are not gaining weight. Owners should weigh them at birth and every day thereafter. Environmental causes are hypothermia, hyperthermia, environmental toxins and maternal factors. Genetic causes are developed mentally and abnormally like cleft palate. Infectious causes such as bacteria and viruses are always a problem. Internal parasites like hookworm, roundworms coccidia and giardia are a big concern. |