Jeffrey Young D.V.M.Jeffrey Young D.V.M.

The Controversy is Over: Prepubertal The Controversy is Over: Prepubertal Neutering is the Surgery of ChoiceNeutering is the Surgery of Choice

• 1974 - Medford, Oregon USA1974 - Medford, Oregon USA

100% of companion animals 100% of companion animals are neutered prior to adoption are neutered prior to adoption

• BirthplaceBirthplace of modern day of modern day prepubertal neuteringprepubertal neutering

• 1987 - Leo Lieberman D.V.M. 1987 - Leo Lieberman D.V.M. published article in JAVMApublished article in JAVMA

A Case For Neutering Pups A Case For Neutering Pups and Kittens at 2 Months of Ageand Kittens at 2 Months of Age

• Leiberman considered by Leiberman considered by many to be the father of many to be the father of prepubertal neuteringprepubertal neutering

• 1989 - Planned Pethood Plus 1989 - Planned Pethood Plus Dr. Young meets Dr. Dr. Young meets Dr. Lieberman and does survey of Lieberman and does survey of prepubertal surgeriesprepubertal surgeries

• Dr. Young has neutered over Dr. Young has neutered over 30,000 prepubertal animals30,000 prepubertal animals

• 1991 - University of Florida 1991 - University of Florida conducts first controlled study conducts first controlled study comparing neutering at 7 comparing neutering at 7 weeks vs 7 months of age weeks vs 7 months of age (multiple parameters were (multiple parameters were assessed)assessed)

Ideal age for neutering is 8 - 16 weeks

History of Prepubertal NeuteringHistory of Prepubertal Neutering

• 30% - 60% of adopting owners 30% - 60% of adopting owners Do NotDo Not abide by spay/neuter abide by spay/neuter contractscontracts

• Humane societies provide 20% - 25% of companion animals Humane societies provide 20% - 25% of companion animals to households each yearto households each year

• Dogs are 15 times and cats 45 times more prolific than Dogs are 15 times and cats 45 times more prolific than humans humans

• Around 70 million dogs and 75 million cats and countlessAround 70 million dogs and 75 million cats and countlessmillions of feral/stray cats in America alonemillions of feral/stray cats in America alone

There are Things Worse Than DeathThere are Things Worse Than Death• >85% of cats and >70% of dogs in households today have >85% of cats and >70% of dogs in households today have

been neutered; however, 20% produce been neutered; however, 20% produce at leastat least one litter one litter prior to being sterilizedprior to being sterilized

• 70% Rule???70% Rule???• Number 1 cause of Number 1 cause of deathdeath for companion animals remains for companion animals remains

euthanasiaeuthanasia

The Cold Harsh FactsThe Cold Harsh Facts

• No puppy or kitten should be adopted prior to 8 weeks of ageNo puppy or kitten should be adopted prior to 8 weeks of ageas 8 weeks is the ideal age for placing pets into householdsas 8 weeks is the ideal age for placing pets into households

• Sterilized pets can never reproduceSterilized pets can never reproduce• Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?• What percent of intact animals have passed through your What percent of intact animals have passed through your

doors?doors?• Can we demand something from the public that we do not Can we demand something from the public that we do not

demand from ourselvesdemand from ourselves• Veterinarians and humane organizations must come from a Veterinarians and humane organizations must come from a

position of higher moral groundposition of higher moral ground

Prepubertal NeuteringPrepubertal Neuteringan Important Toolan Important Tool

• What age and why – ask your vet What age and why – ask your vet (6-8 months standard) (6-8 months standard)

• AVMA has endorsed the practice of prepubertal AVMA has endorsed the practice of prepubertal neutering since 1993neutering since 1993

• Animal people are good clientsAnimal people are good clients

• Use your financial influenceUse your financial influence

• Educate your veterinarianEducate your veterinarian

The Veterinary ProfessionThe Veterinary Profession

• AAHA American Animal Hospital AAHA American Animal Hospital Association Association

• ACA Alley Cat AlliesACA Alley Cat Allies• AHA American Humane AssociationAHA American Humane Association• American Kennel ClubAmerican Kennel Club• ASPCA American Society for the ASPCA American Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Prevention of Cruelty to Animals • AVAR American Veterinarians for AVAR American Veterinarians for

Animal RightsAnimal Rights• AVMA American Veterinary Medical AVMA American Veterinary Medical

Association – July 1993 resolution of Association – July 1993 resolution of supportsupport

• HSUS Humane Society of the United HSUS Humane Society of the United StatesStates

• Planned Pethood International Planned Pethood International • Cornell University and UC-DavisCornell University and UC-Davis

• ISAR International Society for Animal ISAR International Society for Animal RightsRights

• CFA Cat Fanciers AssociationCFA Cat Fanciers Association• MSPCA Massachusetts Society for the MSPCA Massachusetts Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsPrevention of Cruelty to Animals• NACA National Animal Control NACA National Animal Control

AssociationAssociation• NHES National Humane Education SocietyNHES National Humane Education Society• SOS Save Our StraysSOS Save Our Strays• Spay USASpay USA• Animal Control Director’s Association Animal Control Director’s Association • California Vet. Med. AssociationCalifornia Vet. Med. Association• Oregon Vet. Med. AssociationOregon Vet. Med. Association• Florida State UniversityFlorida State University• Colorado State UniversityColorado State University

Bob Christianson of Save Our Strays estimates only 5% of veterinarians nationally perform early-age spay/neuter and was startled to find that many animal shelters with public spay/neuter clinics are not practicing prepubertal neutering.

Prepubertal Neutering has Wide SupportPrepubertal Neutering has Wide Support

• WarehousingWarehousing companion animals will never solve companion animals will never solve the overpopulation issuethe overpopulation issue

• MustMust ensure no adopted animal will ever reproduce ensure no adopted animal will ever reproduce• MustMust have an active educational campaign have an active educational campaign• MustMust look to the future in behavioral modification look to the future in behavioral modification

and counselingand counseling• MustMust not except euthanasia as the cornerstone of not except euthanasia as the cornerstone of

population controlpopulation control• MustMust have a neutering program have a neutering program • MustMust have an active feral/stray cat program have an active feral/stray cat program

people don’t adopt cats – cat’s adopt peoplepeople don’t adopt cats – cat’s adopt peopleOur Feline friends average 2.1 litters/year and 4.5 kittens per litter

70% rule does not apply

Humane OrganizationsHumane Organizations

BehavioralBehavioralObesity Obesity

Medical Benefits Medical Benefits (Cancer Reduction)(Cancer Reduction)

Secondary Sex Secondary Sex CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Positive Affects Negative Affects

Live Longer

Don’t Reproduce

Urinary Incontinence ??

Thyroid

Skeletal (Hips and Knees)

FUS

PrepPrepubertal Concernsubertal Concerns

• Hypoglycemia - Hypothermia - Hypotension Hypoglycemia - Hypothermia - Hypotension • De-worm and vaccinate several days prior to surgeryDe-worm and vaccinate several days prior to surgery• Withhold food 2 hours prior to surgery for kittens and 4 hours Withhold food 2 hours prior to surgery for kittens and 4 hours

prior to surgery for puppiesprior to surgery for puppies• Administer glucose orally 10-20 minutes prior to surgery, can Administer glucose orally 10-20 minutes prior to surgery, can

also administer post-op if neededalso administer post-op if needed• Administer heated subcutaneous fluids just prior to surgery or Administer heated subcutaneous fluids just prior to surgery or

directly after the surgerydirectly after the surgery• Keep all prepubes on heated surfaces during surgery and Keep all prepubes on heated surfaces during surgery and

recoveryrecovery• Keep surgical prep time to a minimum and use non-reactive Keep surgical prep time to a minimum and use non-reactive

suture materialsuture material

Guidelines for Successful Guidelines for Successful Prepubertal SterilizationPrepubertal Sterilization

• Extremely low complication rateExtremely low complication rate• Extremely low death rateExtremely low death rate• Extremely rapid recoveryExtremely rapid recovery• Short surgical time (reduced anesthesia,Short surgical time (reduced anesthesia,

reduced materials, reduced cost)reduced materials, reduced cost)• Enhances the benefits of neutering in generalEnhances the benefits of neutering in general• Ensures animal Ensures animal *will never reproduce**will never reproduce*

Major Advantages of Major Advantages of Prepubertal SterilizationPrepubertal Sterilization

Jeff Young D.V.M.Jeff Young D.V.M.

Planned Pethood Plus Inc.Planned Pethood Plus Inc.

4170 Tennyson St.4170 Tennyson St.

Denver, CO 80212Denver, CO 80212

720-937-5082720-937-5082

drneuter@hotmail.comdrneuter@hotmail.com

www.plannedpethoodplus.comwww.plannedpethoodplus.com