No More Homeless Pets Forum -
What about spaying and neutering pocket pets?

Question from Susan:
I'm a big believer in spaying and neutering for companion animals. However, I know that it's not considered to safe to spay and neuter birds and some large animals. What about pocket pets?

Response from Dr. Mark Burgess:
Well, your question is a good one. Many small pets, especially females, would benefit from spay/neuter procedures.

Up to 80% of rabbits may develop uterine cancer if not spayed; cavies (guinea pigs) commonly develop cystic ovaries and hormonal problems if not spayed; rats commonly get uterine infections and tumors, the list goes on.

It has become commonplace to spay & neuter rabbits. Cavies and smaller rodents aren't spayed & neutered as often. Part of the reason is increased risk with small body size, and part is that the small rodents with shorter lifespans often are thought of as short term pets by their owners; they simply don't want to invest the money in a surgery. The pets we think are routinely safe to spay and neuter include rabbits, ferrets, rats, cavies, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, skunks, prairie dogs, degus, and chinchillas.

Very small pets like mice and hamsters are higher risk and we don't usually recommend routine spay/neuter procedures on these. As with all surgery, the safety margin is greater with a vet who is quite experienced with the species in question. Many species have a delicate gut (rabbits, chinchillas, cavies, for example) and must be managed carefully to prevent gut upset (minimal preoperative fasting, for one). All these species have a relatively poor immune response compared to, say, a cat, so sterile surgical technique is very
important. Vets who aren't extremely careful about technique (because they don't have to be with dogs & cats) will find that their pocket pet patients may develop severe postoperative infections.

All in all, many of these species will benefit from surgery while young and healthy; they will live longer, healthier lives. Hope this answers your question!

http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/weeklyforum/031405pocket.cfm

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Mar. 15, 2002