Spays and Neuters 

The spaying and neutering of pets can be beneficial to their health: Sterilization not only reduces uterine infection, it decreases the incidence of mammary, prostatic, and testicular cancers. 

Most often, sterilization is accomplished via surgery: For females, it is ovariohysterectomy -  removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. For males, it is orchiectomy - removal of the testes. 

Surgical sterilizations are not inconsequential. Post-operatively, animals can experience pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, and infection. What's more, animals must remain inactive for up to two weeks to facilitate healing. 

Recently, sterilization by gene transfer has been investigated as a replacement for ovariohysterectomy and orchiectomy. In this new procedure, patients are injected with a harmless virus carrying a blueprint for a substance that prevents estrus. Unlike traditional methods, animals sterilized in this way recover almost immediately.

Interested in learning more? Read the University of Florida veterinary medicine article titled "Breakthrough in Non-Surgical Sterilization for Cats and Dogs" by clicking here.