Olson P N, Kustritz M V, Johnston S D
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc, 350 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA 94903, USA.
J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 2001;57:223-32.
Prepubertal gonadectomy, often referred to as early-age neutering, has increased in popularity in the United States. The procedure is often used at animal care and control facilities, where puppies and kittens are neutered as early as 7 weeks of age or before adoption. Although the anaesthetic and surgical procedures appear to be safe, studies continue to evaluate the long-term effects on health and behaviour. Early-age neutering is one technique that is used to combat pet overpopulation, a problem whereby millions of unwanted healthy dogs and cats are euthanased each year. Although neutering animals is helpful in controlling pet overpopulation, other factors must be considered. In addition, many animals are relinquished to shelters when they show inappropriate behaviours, because owners and veterinarians are unable to modify animal behaviour. This review discusses early-age neutering in the United States, and includes the review of scientific studies that have evaluated this procedure in puppies and kittens. Early-age neutering does not stunt growth in dogs or cats (a once-held belief), but may alter metabolic rates in cats. The anaesthetic and surgical procedures are apparently safe for young puppies and kittens; morbidity is lower and recovery is faster than in adult animals. To date, adverse side effects are apparently no greater in animals neutered at early ages (7 weeks) than in those neutered at the conventional age (7 months).
青春期前性腺切除术，通常被称为早期绝育，在美国越来越普遍。这种手术常用于动物护理和控制机构，在那里小狗和小猫早在7周龄或领养前就被绝育。尽管麻醉和手术过程似乎是安全的，但研究仍在继续评估其对健康和行为的长期影响。早期绝育是一种用于解决宠物数量过多问题的技术，每年有数百万只健康但无人想要的狗和猫因此被安乐死。虽然给动物绝育有助于控制宠物数量过多，但还必须考虑其他因素。此外，许多动物在表现出不当行为时会被送到收容所，因为主人和兽医无法改变动物的行为。这篇综述讨论了美国的早期绝育情况，并包括对评估小狗和小猫这一手术的科学研究的回顾。早期绝育不会阻碍狗或猫的生长（这曾经是一种普遍的看法），但可能会改变猫的代谢率。麻醉和手术过程对幼犬和小猫显然是安全的；发病率低于成年动物，恢复也更快。迄今为止，早期（7周龄）绝育的动物出现的不良副作用显然并不比传统年龄（7月龄）绝育的动物更多。
