Spay vs Neuter
Spay and Neuter are two terms that are often used in the same context, but strictly speaking they carry some differences between them. These two terms should also be not used interchangeably for that matter.
Spaying involves the process of the removal of the reproductive organs from the body of a female animal. The removal of the reproductive organs is carried out by means of surgery. Neutering on the other hand is the terms that is used to denote the surgical procedure involved in the removal of the testes of a male animal. This is the main difference between the two terms, spay and neuter.
It may be noted that the specific organs that are usually removed from a female animal includes ovaries and the uterus. It is quite normal to remove only the ovaries from the body of a young female while spaying. On the other hand the process of neutering is sometimes called castration or gelding when performed on horses.
It is interesting to note that both spay and neuter have different medical terms. The medical term for spaying is ovariohysterectomy. On the other hand the medical term for neutering is orchiectomy. It is very important to know that the two terms do not refer necessarily to the genders of the animals but on the other hand they refer to the surgical methods involved in the processes.
Spaying and neutering have their own uses separately. American Veterinary Medical Association felt that spaying and neutering would go a long way in maintaining the general health of your pet say a cat. On the other hand these surgical methods do a world of good to the efforts aimed at reducing the overpopulation of the pets in a huge country like the United States.
The process of spaying would necessitate that the ovaries of the young animal may be removed when she is six months old. The same is true even for neutering. Neutering too necessitates that the testes of a young male cat may be removed when he is about six months old.
It is interesting here to note that specifications have been made to this effect by the American Human Association. They say that spaying and neutering may be performed on the young cats or dogs as early as when they are six weeks of age. Finally it should be noted that the term ‘neuter’ can be used in the case of both the sexes.
No related posts.
