Spaying and neutering not only prevents animal overpopulation. It can prevent certain types of cancers in your pet.
Spaying and neutering not only prevents animal overpopulation. It can prevent certain types of cancers in your pet. (Camera file photo)
Core vaccines

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, pets should be vaccinated to protect them from many highly contagious and deadly diseases. In some cases (rabies, for example) vaccinating your pet can also protect you from disease.

Some vaccinations are considered "core" vaccines, meaning they are recommended for most pets in a particular area because they protect from diseases most common in that area. Here are the "core" vaccines recommended in the Denver/Boulder area:


Rabies: required by law for all dogs and puppies over 16 weeks of age

DHPP (DA2PP): distemper/parvo combination vaccine

Bordetella: depending on risk factors for individual canine

Leptospirosis: becoming more commonly recommended


Rabies: required by law for all cats and kittens over 16 weeks of age.

FVRCP: feline distemper combination vaccine

FeLV: depending on risk factors for the individual feline

I recently had a friend visit from Brazil. While walking on Pearl Street, she expressed her surprise that there weren't stray dogs and cats roaming the open-air mall. At first I tried to explain the rules about dogs on the mall, but I realized that in Brazil, stray animals roam everywhere -- rules or no rules. We just don't see pet overpopulation like that here in Boulder.


I suppose that's why, for a lot of people in our area, the issue of spaying and neutering pets doesn't seem like an urgent issue. We forget that in most parts of the world, and in many parts of the United States, millions of homeless animals continue to reproduce, filling shelters to capacity and resulting in needless euthanasia. Just because we don't see hundreds of stray animals roaming around our beautiful open space doesn't mean we are don't have an overpopulation problem here in the metro area.

Medical and

behavioral benefits

We also shouldn't forget that spaying and neutering, like vaccines, is a very important issue for our companion animal's health and well-being. It's more than just preventing a litter; it is a major part of creating a lifetime of wellness for your pet.

Spaying and neutering can significantly reduce the likelihood of major medical issues such as testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and uterine infection. It can reduce the incidence of prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate) and can reduce the incidence of mammary cancers. These illnesses can be fatal and are much more expensive to treat than the cost of the initial spay or neuter surgery.

Behaviorally, animals who are spayed or neutered will be less likely to mark their territory by urinating all over the house. Feline females in heat yowl and can be destructive in their attempts to get outdoors to mate. Dogs and cats who are intact are much more likely to roam, and as a result may be significantly more likely to encounter wildlife, get into fights or be hit by a car. Injuries of this type are much more common for animals who have not been sterilized.

Dispelling myths

Spaying and neutering will not cause your pet to become overweight. Lack of exercise and overfeeding are the root of weight issues. With exercise and regulated amounts of food, your spayed or neutered pet should stay fit and trim.

Waiting until your female has had at least one litter isn't "better for her." In fact, spaying before the first heat cycle greatly (by 90 percent) reduces her chance of developing mammary cancer. The longer you wait to spay, the higher likelihood of mammary tumors for your female pet. Caring for a litter of puppies or kittens is not something your pet will "miss." And there are many ways for children to learn about birth without adding to the number of animals looking for homes.

Consult your


Once you have decided to have your pet spayed or neutered, talk to your veterinarian. You'll want professional advice about the best time to spay or neuter your pet based on his/her age, breed and physical condition. It is important to ensure your pet is in good health prior to surgery. Having a thorough examination and current vaccinations is a wise first step.

Your veterinarian can advise you about any risks associated with the procedure. Sterilization is a major surgical procedure involving general anesthesia. Many veterinarians will encourage you to have a basic blood screening performed before any anesthetic procedure. With any surgical procedure, there are some anesthetic and surgical risks, but typically complications occur only rarely.

Post-operative pain management is something you will also want to discuss with your veterinarian as well as how to best care for your dog or cat in the days following the surgery.

In general it is a good idea to avoid running, jumping, swimming, or baths for a period of time after surgery. Your pet may seem fine, but it does take a couple of weeks for tissue to heal and it is important to help your pet recover by restricting activity levels.

Kat Burns is Director of Veterinary Services for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley's shelter medicine program and full-service public veterinary clinic. The veterinary clinic is located at 2323 55th Street in Boulder and is open six days a week. Info: