PREPUBERTAL CASTRATION AND COMPLICATIONS IN THE GENITOURINARY TRACT OF DOGS AND CATS

LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Ovariohysterectomy and orchiectomy are surgical procedures commonly performed in veterinary practice, mainly to control the dog and cat population and prevent or treat various diseases, such as pyometra, mammary tumors, and testicular neoplasms. However, the practice of early castration has become increasingly frequent. The main problem with this approach is the abrupt interruption of hormonal stimuli, especially estrogen and testosterone, before the animals' organs reach anatomical and functional maturity. In this context, this article aimed to analyze the available literature on the impacts of pre-pubertal castration on the urinary and reproductive systems of small animals. Inclusion criteria considered were articles published between 2015 and 2025, in Portuguese and English. Sex hormones play a crucial role in the maturation of tissues and structures, and their early suppression can result in long-term consequences. In males and females neutered prematurely, it is common to observe genitalia with infantile characteristics, in addition to the development of alterations such as urinary obstruction, urinary incontinence, and chronic vaginitis. Furthermore, neutering, regardless of age, promotes significant metabolic changes, creating a predisposition to obesity, a condition that can aggravate urinary tract infections. Therefore, multimodal management, involving adequate nutrition, encouragement of water intake, and physical activity, becomes essential in the post-neutering care of small animals. Therefore, although early neutering offers benefits—such as the prevention of reproductive diseases and effective assistance in population control—studies suggest it may also predispose animals to chronic diseases, making it necessary to analyze each patient individually and develop standardized protocols for a more accurate assessment of the effects resulting from pre-pubertal neutering.