Reply #48: Not sure where some of your statements are from

[CatFelyne]

The CVMA went from being a co-sponsor to taking a neutral position, IMO that's a little bit different than saying they are not supporting the bill. Sounds like by the CVMA's official statement, that one of their major complaints was there was no provisions for medical exemptions.

http://www.cvma.net/doc.asp?ID=3189


I'm just wondering where you got that early spay/neutering is medically unsound. And where the research studies are that show a statistically significant difference in growth plates between early altered animals and those altered later. Many of the studies I've discovered don't support your statements at all. I've provided some references below.

As an animal scientist and licensed veterinary technician, I'm interested in some hard data from scientific journals. Otherwise, the argument you're making doesn't seem to hold much water


Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in cats. J Am Med Assoc 224:372, 2004.

Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs. J Am Med Assoc 224:380, 2004.

Long-term outcome of gonadectomy performed at an early age or traditional age in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Jan 15;218(2):217-21.

Long-term outcome of gonadectomy performed at an early age or traditional age in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 Dec 1;217(11):1661-5.

Gonadectomy in immature dogs: effects on skeletal, physical, and behavioral development. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1991 Apr 1;198(7):1193-203.

BTW - as far as animal husbandry goes some dogs can have their first heat cycle as early 4 - 5 months of age, some female cats also reach puberty as early as 4-5 months, male cats can be as early as 5 months. Waiting to spay/neuter until 6 months in some cases can be too late. (For the record, I'm working on a Master's in Reproductive Physiology, so I can say I know a little bit about this sort of thing)