Veterinarians must always be open minded and ready to challenge the status quo when new information challenges how we practice, writes Mark Goldstein, DVM. Goldstein and Michael Petty, DVM, CVPP, CVMA, CCRT, CAAPM, respectfully discuss their disagreements about the medical and societal need for early spays and neuters in America’s pets.
In the end, it really falls on the veterinary community to educate pet owners about responsible pet care and overpopulation. We need to discuss responsible pet care with clients, including the avoidance of unwanted pregnancies.
Source: DVM360, March 1, 2019. Link.
Over the past decade several other untoward health events related to juvenile spay/neuter surgery have come to light, including cancer and behavioral problems. Do other benefits of early spaying and neutering outweigh these risks?
INSIGHTS: Both doctors agree that perhaps the real answer to overpopulation lies in our attitude about how people in the U.S. approach the problem of strays and overpopulation compared with foreign countries where societal attitudes toward animal care are simply better.
Two very relevant research publications were left out.
Hart et al. One on the Lab and Golden, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0102241.g001
and one on the German Shepherd, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vms3.34/full
These are very relevant to the converstion
Thank you.