French veterinarians' opinions and practices regarding early neutering of cats: a convenience sampling survey interpreted in an international context.
early neutering
kittens
opinion
practitioners
survey
veterinarians
Journal
The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
Titre abrégé: Vet Rec
Pays: England
ID NLM: 0031164
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
19 Dec 2020
19 Dec 2020
Historique:
received:
16
03
2020
revised:
18
08
2020
accepted:
25
08
2020
pubmed:
27
9
2020
medline:
5
6
2021
entrez:
26
9
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Although data are still needed, early neutering of cats appears to be as safe as neutering at the traditional age of six months or older and beneficial to the individual and the population. The aim of this observational study was to obtain an overview of veterinarians' opinions and practices about feline early neutering (ie, until the age of four months). In this retrospective work, a web survey was distributed to French practitioners. A total of 609 veterinarians returned the survey. Majority of the veterinarians (56 per cent) reported never performing early neutering, 42 per cent reported performing it inconsistently, and 2 per cent reported consistently performing it. When carried out, it was mainly on kittens from commercial breeding, following breeders' request, and performed at the age of three months. An overwhelming majority (93 per cent) of veterinarians performing early neutering reported no incidents. Veterinarians who did not practise early neutering neutered mostly (81 per cent) kittens from four to six months of age. In conclusion, early neutering is still not a common practice among French veterinarians. Opinions differed as to its advantages and disadvantages, although reported incidents were scarce. Veterinarians who do not perform early neutering reported a lack of interest in this practice rather than reluctance.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Although data are still needed, early neutering of cats appears to be as safe as neutering at the traditional age of six months or older and beneficial to the individual and the population. The aim of this observational study was to obtain an overview of veterinarians' opinions and practices about feline early neutering (ie, until the age of four months).
METHODS
METHODS
In this retrospective work, a web survey was distributed to French practitioners.
RESULTS
RESULTS
A total of 609 veterinarians returned the survey. Majority of the veterinarians (56 per cent) reported never performing early neutering, 42 per cent reported performing it inconsistently, and 2 per cent reported consistently performing it. When carried out, it was mainly on kittens from commercial breeding, following breeders' request, and performed at the age of three months. An overwhelming majority (93 per cent) of veterinarians performing early neutering reported no incidents. Veterinarians who did not practise early neutering neutered mostly (81 per cent) kittens from four to six months of age.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, early neutering is still not a common practice among French veterinarians. Opinions differed as to its advantages and disadvantages, although reported incidents were scarce. Veterinarians who do not perform early neutering reported a lack of interest in this practice rather than reluctance.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32978276
pii: vr.105944
doi: 10.1136/vr.105944
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e120Informations de copyright
© British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Competing interests: None declared.