Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy, compared with traditional-age gonadectomy, among cats adopted from a large animal shelter.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
1,660 cats.


METHODS
Cats underwent gonadectomy and were adopted from an animal shelter before 1 year of age; follow-up was available for as long as 11 years after surgery (median follow-up time, 3.9 years). Adopters completed a questionnaire about their cats' behavior and medical history. When possible, the cats' veterinary records were reviewed. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify any associations between the occurrence of 47 medical and behavioral conditions and the cats' age at gonadectomy.


RESULTS
Among male cats that underwent early-age gonadectomy (< 5.5 months of age), the occurrence of abscesses, aggression toward veterinarians, sexual behaviors, and urine spraying was decreased, whereas hiding was increased, compared with cats that underwent gonadectomy at an older age. Among male and female cats that underwent early-age gonadectomy, asthma, gingivitis, and hyperactivity were decreased, whereas shyness was increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Gonadectomy before 5.5 months of age was not associated with increased rates of death or relinquishment or occurrence of any serious medical or behavioral condition and may provide certain important long-term benefits, especially for male cats. Animal shelters can safely gonadectomize cats at a young age, and veterinarians should consider recommending routine gonadectomy for client-owned cats before the traditional age of 6 to 8 months.
Spain
C Victor
CV
Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Scarlett
Janet M
JM
Houpt
Katherine A
KA
D000367:Age Factors; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome