Surgical Contraception: Pros and Cons

Contraception by surgical sterilization or gonadectomy is usually an irreversible intervention resulting in a permanent cessation of the reproductive function. Surgical methods where the gonads are removed, are ovariectomy (OVE) or ovariohysterectomy (OVH), through the linea alba (traditional midline ovariohysterectomy), through the flank (lateral flank ovariohysterectomy) or by laparoscopy.1,2 In contrast to the removal of the gonads the sterilisation by means of a vasectomy, salpingectomy (tubal ligation) and hemiovariohysterectomy (leaving one ovary in place) also results in the elimination of reproductive function, but the sexual behaviour and the incidence of diseases transmitted by sexual hormones is not influenced.

History - The first comments concerning the neutering of dogs and cats are found in the Mosaic laws (about 600 B.C.). Apart from eliminating the reproductive function of dogs and cats, gonadectomy was also performed to suppress sexual behavior, as shown by documents from the 18th and 19th century. When an Italian women was asked by her French friend, what she was going to do with a neutered cat, she answered: „Lo tengo per non guastarmi la vita (I keep him so to facilitate my life).3 In the middle of the 19th century female dogs were also spayed to save their owners troubles.4

Social and cultural influences - In Germany and Switzerland the main reason for neutering has always been to make the keeping of dogs easier. Male dogs are predominantly neutered to treat behavioral problems (69%). Neutering female dogs is predominately linked to simplifying handling for the owner (51%) and to preventing diseases and reproduction (36%).5 To the author’s knowledge, no data evaluating the reasons to neuter queens and tomcats are available. However, in cats kept as pets, the prevention of reproduction in queens and the specific sexual behaviors, such as urine spraying in tomcats, are the most likely reasons.

The request for gonadectomy is affected by cultural influences, as seen in the differing numbers of neutered male and female dogs in different countries (see table 1). These differences cannot be attributed only to the owner, but also to the advice of the veterinarian. One clear example is the treatment of prostate hyperplasia. In Germany, castration of male dogs is the treatment of choice for prostate hyperplasia, whereas in France, this treatment is regarded as the last option.6 [...]