Fix by Five Months

Resources & References

Taking Action | Resources & References

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“These winds of change from old school thinking patterns to the current procedures being practiced today began with an important study conducted in 1987 which concluded that neutering dogs and cats much earlier than the traditional puberty or old age period had no ill effects.” – Diana Webster, Animal Press

Welcome to our resources page where we offer an array of informative articles, lectures, presentations, studies, bookmarks and video clips to help convince your veterinarian – and everyone you know — to Fix your Feline before Five Months. These resources fall into several categories, though some of the resources cover two or more of the reasons to fix by five months. Read and download each to arm yourself with information when discussing with your veterinarian. For a great all-in-one resource, download Countering the Pushback To Spay. If you would like more information from Marian’s Dream, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 Select one of the tabs below to view the associated resources.

Early-Age Spay/Neutering
American Animal Hospital Association
American Veterinary Medical Association
Association of Shelter Veterinarians
American Association of Feline Practitioners
Cat Fanciers’ Association
The International Cat Association
SPAY USA
United Spay Alliance
Medical Reasons
Recent research has revealed that cats spayed before their first heat cycle have a 91% lower risk of developing mammary cancer.  The morbidity and mortality of feline and canine mammary gland cancer are so great that it takes the lives of an estimated 75,000 cats every year. Early spaying can help eliminate the risk of pyometria.

Resources:
Impact on Early Spaying on Mammary Cancer in Cats
References:     
“Association Between Ovariohysterectomy and Feline Mammary Carcinoma” authors: Beth Overly, Frances S. Shofer, Michael H. Goldschmidt, Dave Sherer and Karin U. Sorenmo,  Journal of Veterinary Intern Medicine, 2005; 19:560-56.
Hayes HM Jr, Milne KL, Mandell CP. “Epidemiological features of feline mammary carcinoma.” Vet Rec 1981;108:476-479.
Misdorp W. “Progestagens and mammary tumors in dogs and cats.” Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 1991;125 Suppl 1:27-31.

Behavioral Reasons
Spaying/neutering generally results in the following behavioral changes: reduces roaming behaviors, aggression, territorial marking, howling and other heat-related behaviors and is therefore useful in keeping cats in homes.  Over 80% of cats relinquished to shelters or abandoned are unspayed or unneutered. If they are being relinquished due to “bad behavior,” the number of shelter animals can be significantly reduced, along with the number of unnecessary eunthansias.

Resources:
shelteroverpopulation.org
http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information
References:
Scarlett JM, Salman MD, New, Jr. JC, & Kass PH (2002). The role of veterinary practitioners in reducing dog and cat relinquishments and euthanasias.  J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc
Patronek GJ, Glickman LT, Beck AM, McCabe GP, & Ecker C (1996). Risk factors for relinquishment of cats to an animal shelter. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc.209 (3): 584.

Community Reasons
“More than 10 million kittens and puppies are born in the United States each year to female pets that are eventually sterilized.  Reducing the number of these “pre-sterilization litters” by only 35% would stabilize the size of the household dog and cat population by bringing their birthrate into balance with the death rate.” – Peter Marsh, Esq.

Spaying eliminates the possibility of unwanted litters; each year millions of surplus kittens are born who may or may not find a permanent home.  Shelters are inundated with kittens, and older cats who may have found homes are often passed over.  Cat complaint calls are at or near the top of the list of complaint calls to public health and/or animal control departments.  And there are millions of feral cats, the result of people abandoning cats often due to preventable behavioral problems and unwanted litters.

Resources:
shelteroverpopulation.org
http://shelteroverpopulation.org/ZERO_Chapter-5.pdf
References:
Scarlett JM, Salman MD, New, Jr. JC, & Kass PH (2002). The role of veterinary practitioners in reducing dog and cat relinquishments and euthanasias.  J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc

Advantages for Veterinarians
Juvenile spays/neuters are quicker and easier to perform than surgeries on cats that are in heat or pregnant.  Spayed animals are more likely to remain in your client’s home – intact animals enter shelters at rates two to three times that of sterilized animals.  And your client will thank you for preventing mammary gland cancer – which kills about 75,000 cats annually.

Build Your Practice By Offering Early Age Spaying and Neutering, Marvin Mackie, DVM
Early Age Neutering – Perfect for Every Patient, Marvin Mackie, DVM
The Queen (her reproductive cycle may surprise you)
Hormones are Racing, Diana Webster

General Resources

Wall of Wisdom
Countering the Pushback Against Spay
Download the entire PetSmart Charities IPSOS Study
The Case for Neutering at Five Months of Age, Richard Speck, DVM (Today’s Veterinary Practice)
Early Age Neutering: Perfect for Every Practice, W. Marvin Mackie, DVM
The Experts Say “We Fix Felines by Five!”
Hormones are Racing: Early spay & Neuter can prevent Later Heartache, Diana Webster
An Overview of Pediatric Spay and Neuter Benefits and Techniques (DVM360.com)
The Queen & the Four (Feline) Seasons, W. Marvin Mackie, DVM
Schedule sterilizations early to keep patients healthy, Roger Johnson, DVM, DACVIM (DVM360.com)
Spay/Neuter: It’s Not About Whether, It’s Also About When, Peter Marsh
Timely Sterilization Makes Sense for the Practice and the Pets, Roger Johnson, DVM, DACVIM
When to Fix Kittens? Steve Dale Talks with Dr. Lauren Demos, incoming president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners
When to Spay/Neuter Cats? Vet Consensus Says Fix by Five Months
Winn Feline Foundation Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization Recommendations for Age of Spay and Neuter Surgery
Build Your Practice by Offering Early Age Spaying & Neutering, W. Marvin Mackie, DVM
Early Spay & Neuter Veterinarian Testimonials
Testimonials from the Floor of the AVMA Conference

Task Force Statement Endorsements

Dr. Speck's Resources
For more in-depth information to make a really strong case to your veterinarian, download Dr. Richard Speck’s comprehensive study/ presentation on early spay here.

Doc’s Presentation Short

Dr. Speck’s Handout

We are pleased to let you know that Today’s Veterinary Practice, a popular veterinary magazine, has published Dr. Richard Speck’s article, ‘The Case for Neutering at Five Months of Age’ in the November/December 2014 issue.  Please feel free to print and bring to your vet or share via email and on Facebook.

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