Prepubertal gonadectomy in dogs and cats - Part II

Since the 1993 approval of early-age gonadectomy by the American Veterinary Medical Association, ii has become a common procedure performed on shelter animals. Veterinarians need to be aware of the technical differences betwe en surgery performed on young puppies and kittens and that on mature animal s. In addition, although pediatric physiology differs from adult physiology , numerous anesthetic protocols have been found to be safe and effective fo r pediatric patients. Familiarity with the anesthetic and surgical procedur es also involves anticipation of the outcome.