spayint/neutering age?

portgirl123

this is just out of curiosity. i watch all the rescue prog on animal planet and as u prob now most of them are american. just wondering why they spay/neuter at such a young age, they go by weight, a couple of pounds for kittens and we wait till 6 month mark. is there any benifits waiting till 6 months? have even heard some ppl/vets saying 6 months is to young, wheres ive seen on these prog kittys/pups getting done at 6-8 weeks?

lorebringer

Different countries have different guidelines with regards to neutering, I know the USA and Australia neuter very young (esp rescues, and cats tend to be earlier than dogs) but it's a general consensus that 6 months is a good age to do both species when the animal is in a stable, responsible home. Males can be done earlier than females simply because the operation is not so invasive. Some people prefer to wait until the animal is older, say after a first season, but 6 months is a safe age to neuter.

Bog Bunny

Americans are obsessed with this early neutering. It's best to wait until at least all permanent teeth are through and growth plates are fully ossified, so age six to eight months in smalldogs and older in bigger breeds at the earliest. Physical development (in a growing pup) is altered by stopping hormonal influences too soon.
You can see how bullocks grow taller and leggy and don't develop the bone structure of a bull. Their bones are lighter too, so they can put on more meat and kill out bettter for the farmer.

Wisco

The other reason they show early neutering on those rescue shows is so that the dog/cat can be neutered before it's adopted or sent to its new home as it obviously reduces unwanted pup/kittens, although over there when you adopt you often have to sign a contract saying you'll get the dog neutered when you take it from the shelter. I'd imagine not everyone does it, or forgets, or whatever, though.
However, it's generally accepted that they're more mature at 6 months and it's safer (ie, lower anaesthetic risk for one) to wait. There is no need to let them have a heat before neutering however.

portgirl123

thanks for ur replies, was just curious.

Amberjack

Some vets here will spay a kitten from 4 months as technically they can go into heat and get pregnant. While not common, it can be done if you ask around.