In today's society, pet sterilization has always been a focus for pet lovers. Should pets be sterilized or not? When is the best time for sterilization? What should be paid attention to in preoperative and postoperative care? This article introduces the issue of pet sterilization.

       1. Should You Sterilize Your Pet

       It is believed that most pet owners have more or less considered this issue. Many people think that sterilizing their pets will cause physiological and psychological harm. Indeed, for those who advocate natural breeding, sterilization surgery seems somewhat inhumane. But let's look at the benefits sterilization brings to pets.

       1. Personality improvement. Almost all pet owners who have sterilized their pets find that their pets' personalities have somewhat improved. This is especially obvious during the heat period. Due to hormones, unsterilized pets often show anxiety, excitement, loss of appetite, and even aggression during this time. Cats, in particular, may exhibit unbearable calling behaviors known as "cat in heat." This is also the period when pets are most likely to go missing. Sterilized pets, due to the absence of hormone stimulation, are calmer and easier to manage during this time. However, it is worth noting that cats and dogs sterilized after their first heat (especially those several years old) may still have heat reactions afterward, mainly because hormone levels have not completely metabolized.

       2. Prevention of certain diseases. Female dogs and cats that are not bred and have not been sterilized are prone to diseases such as pyometra and mammary tumors. Males are prone to prostatomegaly, urinary tract infections, and other diseases. The likelihood of these diseases increases with the pet's age. Choosing to sterilize pets is the most direct way to prevent these diseases.

Figure 1 The uterus removed due to pyometra in this cat

       3. Prevent uncontrolled breeding. Many pet owners prefer free-range raising, letting cats and dogs go out whenever they want. Some irresponsible owners even abandon their pets. These pets, whether going out or abandoned, may increase the population of stray animals in cities. To prevent this, besides strengthening daily management, the most direct method is sterilization. That way, even if occasionally your pet leaves your sight, you need not worry about unexpected pregnancies. Especially for agile cats used to going out, keeping them indoors during heat is almost an impossible task.

Figure 2 Stray cats bred uncontrolledly

       2. When Is the Best Time for Sterilization

       1. Age. The ideal age for pet sterilization is before their first heat (the first heat of dogs and cats varies by breed and individual, generally 6 to 12 months), that is, 4 to 6 months, having completed the first year's vaccination program. The advantages of choosing this period are, on one hand, to minimize the chance of the above-mentioned diseases later, and on the other hand, to prevent heat behaviors. As mentioned earlier, many adult pets sterilized after their heat follow-up may easily have heat behaviors due to hormone levels.

       2. Time period. When choosing the time for sterilization, first avoid the pet's heat period as much as possible. Due to hormonal effects, reproductive organs are congested during heat, and surgery at this time can cause severe bleeding, increasing surgical risk. Secondly, autumn is the most suitable season, as temperature and humidity are conducive to wound healing after surgery. This is not to say other seasons are unsuitable, but extra care is needed for wound care in other seasons. Finally, choose to operate when the pet is in good health to effectively reduce surgical risks and aid recovery.

       3. Precautions for Preoperative and Postoperative Care

       (1) Preoperative Care

       1. Ensure the pet has completed that year's vaccinations to prevent infection due to surgery. If not vaccinated, immunize timely and wait at least one week before surgery.

       2. Appropriately fast your pet before surgery — no food within 12 hours before operation and no water within 4 hours — mainly to reduce surgical risks and prevent anesthesia-induced regurgitation that might cause suffocation.

       3. You may choose to bathe your pet one day before surgery because pets are strictly prohibited from bathing within a week post-surgery. But be careful not to let pets catch a cold during the bath.

       4. Choose a reputable veterinary hospital. After all, sterilization is surgery. Hospitals with complete surgical facilities and experienced veterinarians can minimize surgical risks.

       (2) Postoperative Care

       1. Due to anesthesia, pets need several hours to recover. No need to worry too much. If you feel uneasy, you can wait until the pet fully wakes up before leaving the hospital.

Figure 3 Dog not fully awake after surgery

       2. Do not feed your pet on the day of surgery; feeding can resume the next day.

       3. Keep the wound dry; absolutely no bathing. Most hospitals will use an Elizabeth collar or special surgery clothes to prevent pets from licking wounds.

       4. Veterinarians usually prescribe 3-4 days of antibiotics; feed pets regularly as prescribed.

       5. Limit pet activity to avoid vigorous exercise that may affect wound healing.

       6. Observe wound healing about four days post-surgery; if poor healing or inflammation occurs, seek veterinary care promptly.

       7. Usually, stitches are removed 7-9 days after surgery, but if self-tied spermatic cord or absorbable sutures are used, removal is not required.

Figure 4 Neutered male dog testicles removed

Figure 5 Suture site of neutered male dog

       8. Because different hospitals, pets, and genders may require different sterilization methods, postoperative care may vary. Consult your attending veterinarian for specific instructions.