The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ 2016 Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs

Abstract

As community efforts to reduce the overpopulation and euthanasia of unwanted and unowned cats and dogs have increased, many veterinarians have increasingly focused their clinical efforts on the provision of spay-neuter services. Because of the wide range of geographic and demographic needs, a wide variety of spay-neuter programs have been developed to increase delivery of services to targeted populations of animals, including stationary and mobile clinics, MASHstyle operations, shelter services, community cat programs, and services provided through private practitioners. In an effort to promote consistent, high-quality care across the broad range of these programs, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians convened a task force of veterinarians to develop veterinary medical care guidelines for spay-neuter programs. These guidelines consist of recommendations for general patient care and clinical procedures, preoperative care, anesthetic management, surgical procedures, postoperative care, and operations management. They were based on current principles of anesthesiology, critical care medicine, infection control, and surgical practice, as determined from published evidence and expert opinion. They represent acceptable practices that are attainable in spay-neuter programs regardless of location, facility, or type of program. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians envisions that these guidelines will be used by the profession to maintain consistent veterinary medical care in all settings where spay-neuter services are provided and to promote these services as a means of reducing sheltering and euthanasia of cats and dogs.

Application of a high-quality, high-volume trap–neuter–return model of community cats in Seoul, Korea

“…There is a misconception that small cats may be harassed by other adult cats and that they may require a longer recovery time after undergoing surgery. However, the surgical procedures for young adult cats are easier, faster, and safer than the procedures used for older cats (Kustritz, 2007;Bushby & Griffin, 2011;Porters et al, 2014;Griffin et al, 2016). Indeed, probability of disease (mammary hyperplasia, ovarian cysts, and increased friability and vascularity of the uterus) in younger female cats is lower than in older female cats, and postoperative recovery is faster in younger cats than in older cats (Yates & White, 2018).…”

A literature review on the welfare implications of gonadectomy of dogs

“…4,[147][148][149] Analysis of the current literature reveals that there is minimal risk for surgical complications or subsequent developmental abnormalities between pediatric gonadectomy performed on dogs between 6 and 14 weeks of age and gonadectomy performed on dogs at the more traditional age of 6 months, both of which are prior to puberty. 3,4,28,29,[146][147][148]150 …”

“…When a surgical candidate is evaluated for gonadectomy, a veterinarian must consider age, body weight, and existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of anesthetic or surgical complications. 150 Potential complications of soft tissue surgery and anesthesia include hemorrhage, hypothermia, pain, wound inflammation, delayed wound healing, dehiscence, and death. 29,[150][151][152][153][154] Studies 28,152,153 based on veterinary students performing OHE and castration have found complication rates of 20% to 30%, but the most common complications were considered minor problems, and the rate of occurrence was thought to be influenced by the experience of the person performing the surgery.…”

“…150 Potential complications of soft tissue surgery and anesthesia include hemorrhage, hypothermia, pain, wound inflammation, delayed wound healing, dehiscence, and death. 29,[150][151][152][153][154] Studies 28,152,153 based on veterinary students performing OHE and castration have found complication rates of 20% to 30%, but the most common complications were considered minor problems, and the rate of occurrence was thought to be influenced by the experience of the person performing the surgery. Complications can be minimized through appropriate patient selection, use of safe and efficient protocols for anesthesia, application of minimally traumatic patient preparation and surgical techniques, careful monitoring of patients, and multimodal pain management including preoperative analgesia.…”

“…Complications can be minimized through appropriate patient selection, use of safe and efficient protocols for anesthesia, application of minimally traumatic patient preparation and surgical techniques, careful monitoring of patients, and multimodal pain management including preoperative analgesia. 150,154,155 Small Animals…”