Veterinary experts vs. retired game show host … hello?
By Gina Spadafori
August 14, 2008
Chances are you’ve never heard of a veterinary theriogenologist — a specialist in the reproductive systems of animals. (Kinda like a veterinary ob/gyn.) These experts — many of whom teach at the top veterinary schools in the country — have come out with a position statement against forced spay-neuter:
[...] While there are health benefits to spaying and neutering these must be weighed against the health benefits of the sex steroidsIn general, the advantages of spaying or neutering a pet include effective population control, decreased aggression, decreased wandering, decreased risk of being hit by a car, and decreased risk of mammary, testicular and ovarian cancer. On the other hand, the disadvantages of spaying or neutering may include increased risk of obesity, diabetes, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, prostatic adenocarcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, autoimmune thyroiditis, hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia.
Therefore, the decision to spay or neuter a dog or cat should be made solely by the pet’s owner with the direct input of their veterinarian and will be dependent on each particular animal’s situation.
Additionally, research has shown that in locations where mandatory spay and neuter programs have been instituted, a decrease in the number of vaccinated and licensed animals has been seen due to poor program compliance from pet owners’ fears of seeking veterinary care if their animals are still intact. This may result in decreased preventive care and regular wellness examinations which may then diminish the pet’s quality of life because of increasing undiagnosed health issues. It also may result in an increase in zoonotic diseases, such as hookworm and roundworm infection in children due to poor deworming programs, and decreased compliance with routine rabies vaccination. [...]
Here’s the entire statement, and the peer-reviewed scientific evidence behind it.
Why are we still listening to clueless animal-rights activists, a game-playing dis-elected professional politician and an attention-seeking former game-show host?
The California State Senate will likely take up the AB 1634 trainwreck in a sesson that starts in about 45 minutes. If you are a California resident, call your state Senator now and tell him or her that forced spay-neuter:
- Increases shelter populations and kill rates;
- Increases the cost to tax-payers for animal-control;
- Decreases compliance with licensing and other animal-control laws (thus decreasing government revenues); and
- Increases public health risk because of fewer people taking pets for in for rabies vaccinations and worming.
Call and fax your State Senator now.
Yes! How can you not listen to that? Clear, concise, pointed.
I’ve been meaning to see if the statistics for the bad side effects of S/N are worse/better for males/females. Although, I can’t un-neuter Kasey, so maybe I don’t want to know.
Comment by Lori — August 14, 2008 @ 10:11 am
I just emailed my senator yet again… I’ve lost count of how many this is now, sigh.
Comment by Christie Keith — August 14, 2008 @ 10:43 am
I’m guessing you meant FAX. E-mail is a waste of time. And CALL. NOW.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 14, 2008 @ 10:53 am
John Yates is saying that that buzz is that the AKC has withdrawn its opposition in view of the latest amendments.
Does anybody know if this has been confirmed?
Comment by Caveat — August 14, 2008 @ 11:09 am
Christie is tracking this now.
It would be a shame if AKC did move to neutral, and would be a pretty good indication that as long as it doesn’t hit dog-show folks, they’re not going to fuss.
What a shame if true, since this is a place to show they care about all dogs.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 14, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Gina, I did mean fax. I’ve always faxed, and have also called, although not today.
Comment by Christie Keith — August 14, 2008 @ 11:27 am
If that is true it’s not posted on the website.
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3555
AKC Continues to Oppose AB 1634, Your Help Needed!
[Friday, July 25, 2008]
It has come to the attention of the Government Relations department that there has been some misinformation circulating that AKC has changed our position on AB 1634. The American Kennel Club remains firmly opposed to California Assembly Bill 1634
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=356
2
CA AB 1634 Officially Amended
[Wednesday, August 06, 2008]
AKC continues to oppose this bill as written.
Comment by trucorgi — August 14, 2008 @ 11:28 am
If you’re out of State this is a pretty good link, it’s an audio feed:
http://www.senate.ca.gov/htbin.....ame_raudio
California Channel is here:
http://www.calchannel.com/
Comment by Caveat — August 14, 2008 @ 11:41 am
The AKC has informed us they will be posting about this “today or tomorrow.”
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 14, 2008 @ 11:48 am
No rush, eh?
Comment by Caveat — August 14, 2008 @ 11:53 am
Just up: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3566
Comment by ChrisRL — August 14, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
from the above link:
“Based on the latest amendments the AKC has moved to a neutral position on AB 1634.”
Paws down AKC!
Comment by slt — August 14, 2008 @ 2:16 pm