title: Effects of surgical sterilization on canine and feline health and on society.
abstract: Surgical sterilization of dogs and cats is a well-accepted measure for population control in some countries, but is considered unethical as an elective surgery in other countries. This is a review of what is known regarding positive and negative effects of gonadectomy surgery on individual animals and on societal management of unowned dog and cat populations.
authors: University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, St Paul, MN 55108, USA. rootk001@umn.edu
authors: M V
authors: MV
authors: Root Kustritz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011634:Public Health; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*