Overview of gonadectomy: pros and cons of this surgical procedures as a primary sterilization method used in small animals based in an owner survey

Abstract

In the last three decades, the practice of desexing dogs and cats, has greatly increased. The necessity, and in particular the timing of gonadectomy in dogs and cats is still controversial. This is mainly because gonadectomy confers a mixture of benefits and adverse effects. Desexing has consistently been shown to change various health risks, including a reduction in pyometra and mammary tumor risk, as well as an increased risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture, several forms of cancer, and obesity in both sexes. The aim of this study is to undertake a review of present literature of pros and cons of desexing dogs and cats, based in an owner survey in order to analyze benefits and disadvantages, associated pathologies and owners’ satisfaction. In this study, we design a survey of dog owners’ satisfaction with pet desexing and any adverse effects that may have occurred after it. Regarding to the design of the survey, it title was “Study for Final Degree Work about Desexing and associated changes” and it containing 13 questions, among them, present age, age of gonadectomy, pathologies after gonadectomy, weight gain and owners’ satisfaction. It was sent 58 surveys, of which we received just 22. Our results summarize a 38,0 % of response, which it is a consistence value for a satisfaction survey. All the surveyed were satisfied after the castration of their dogs, that 64% of the dogs in this study presented obesity and that most of them were gonadectomized between 6-11 months of age. Furthermore, after gonadectomy, only 31.8 % of dogs were found to have pathologies, of which 57.1 % were neoplasms. On the other hand, the behavior changes that were found most were the less active dogs. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Gonadectomy should be perform between 6 months and less than a year, in order to eliminate unwanted reproduction in dogs, lowering the incidence of reproductive cancers, and increasing lifespan. Although designing a survey is complicated, 38% of response can be considered a fair result and a very good level of satisfaction was provided by the owners.