NEUTERING

While spaying and neutering of pets is still sometimes necessary, methods are evolving to meet new societal expectations and advances in scientific knowledge. For several years now, Virbac has been offering a reversible and temporary alternative to surgical castration.

Our ambition? To make it accessible to more and more pet owners worldwide, and to support professionals in their knowledge of this additional neutering option, which preserves the animal's physical integrity.

MANAGING PETS’ FERTILITY AND BEHAVIOR
  • There can be multiple reasons for neutering a pet. The solution must be tailored to each individual case.
  • Alternatives to surgery exist for dogs, prepubescent bitches, male cats and male ferrets.
  • The role of the veterinarian is essential in helping the pet owner to make an informed decision, based on his/her animal particular situation.
WHY NEUTERING YOUR PET?

At a societal level, the pet’s neutering is often considered as part of a general effort to combat abandonment and mistreatment. With the advent of domestication, the number of pets has outstripped the capacity of human households worldwide. As a result, a large number of animals are abandoned in the wild with no means of survival, or in shelters (where they are either adopted or euthanized).
What's more, stray animals present a number of risks for wildlife (environmental contamination, nuisance factors) and public health (zoonoses, aggression, property damage). To counter this dynamic, most animal protection associations in all countries recommend that owners sterilize their pets.  

On a more individual level, owners may opt to neuter their pet to avoid unwanted litter, but this is not the only reason: sterilization prevents certain serious diseases in pets, including uterine infections and prostate problems.
It can also reduce the risk of certain cancers. Finally, it can reduce certain undesirable behaviors in pets, such as running away, territorial marking and excessive vocalizations linked to reproduction. There are many reasons to sterilize an animal, but each situation is unique: the veterinarian's role is essential to help the owner make an informed decision, advising on the method of sterilization, if deemed necessary, taking into account the benefits and risks specific to each animal.

www.humanesociety.org - www.peta.org - en.wikipedia.org

A GROWING AWARENESS OF ANIMAL SENTIENCE

Throughout the world, surgical sterilization has remained the most commonly used method over the last few decades: in females, the ovaries and/or uterus are removed; in males, the testicles are removed, or more rarely, the vas deferens are cut. Often associated with surgery, the perception of animal sterilization can vary from one person to another. Some see it as part of responsible pet ownership (along with vaccinations), and a wise measure to control the animal population and reduce the number of abandoned or stray animals. Conversely, some owners are reluctant to have their pets surgically sterilized, for a variety of reasons: the risks associated with anesthesia, the desire to preserve physical integrity, post-operative consequences, etc. 

In some countries, sterilization is practiced almost systematically, while in a growing number of others, it is seen as a form of mutilation and is prohibited by law in the absence of a valid medical reason. Overall, with the development of scientific knowledge, more and more countries are recognizing animals as sentient living beings, and surgical sterilization is increasingly perceived by owners as an act disrespectful of the animal's well-being.

api.worldanimalprotection.org

REINVENTING THE APPROACH TO PET STERILIZATION

While surgical castration has long been the main option for spaying and neutering pets, it no longer needs to be considered automatically. In certain cases, alternatives exist, with proven health benefits. For several years now, we have been offering a contraceptive implant that reversibly eliminates the effects of sex hormones, while preserving the integrity of the animal's body. 

As part of our commitment to advancing the health and welfare of companion animals worldwide, we support the work of the Reproductive control committee (RCC) of the World small animal veterinary association (WSAVA). Our common goal? To promote best veterinary practice in companion animal reproductive control at a global level, and to ensure that veterinarians worldwide have access to the latest resources and knowledge in this rapidly evolving key area for their health.

corporate.virbac.com - wsava.org - acc-d

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