Implications of early neutering in the dog and cat.

Early age neutering of dogs and cats is a safe and effective means of pet population control. The surgical techniques are similar to those already familiar to the veterinary practitioner and pose minimal risk to the animal patient. Advantages include a shorter operative time, better intra-abdominal visualization, and rapid animal patient recovery. Prepubertal gonadectomy does not seem to adversely affect skeletal, physical, or behavioral development in the dog and cat.